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Laxity & facial support

Changes in firmness, proportion and support across the face, jawline and neck.

Understanding the concern

When facial support changes,
the approach should be personal.

Skin laxity, jowls and loose skin can change the contours of the face, jawline and neck. These changes often develop gradually with ageing, but may become more noticeable after significant or rapid weight loss, including weight loss while using GLP-1 medicines. You may feel pleased with your weight loss yet less comfortable with changes in your face. A consultation helps distinguish looser skin from lost volume and changes in underlying support, so any plan addresses what is actually happening.

What you may notice

Jowls or a less defined jawline
Loose or crepey skin beneath the chin and around the neck
Flatter cheeks or a loss of facial fullness
Deeper folds around the nose and mouth
More noticeable sagging following significant weight loss

Why it can happen

As we age, skin becomes less elastic and the fat, bone and other tissues that support the face change. Sun exposure and smoking can contribute to this loss of resilience. Significant weight loss can reduce facial fat, leaving less fullness beneath skin that may not fully adapt to the change. This can happen with weight loss from different causes, including during GLP-1 treatment; it is not unique to these medicines. Age, genetics, the amount of weight lost and skin elasticity all influence the result.

How we assess it

We assess skin quality, the degree of laxity, facial volume and the balance of the cheeks, jawline and neck. We also review your medical history, medication, previous procedures and weight-loss journey, including whether your weight is still changing. Understanding your priorities and the likely limits of treatment helps us decide whether to begin a gradual plan, wait until your weight is more stable or recommend a specialist opinion.

Options we may discuss

Depending on the findings, we may discuss an ultrasound-based treatment such as Sofwave for suitable skin laxity, collagen-stimulating treatments, or carefully selected dermal filler where loss of volume contributes to the concern. These approaches serve different purposes: adding volume does not remove excess skin. Skincare and sun protection support skin health but cannot lift substantial jowls. Where there is significant loose skin, a surgical consultation may be more appropriate than repeated non-surgical treatment. Julaine and Sculptra are collagen-stimulating injectables that may help improve selected changes in facial support over time. They can be useful where collagen-related changes contribute to the concern, but suitability depends on your anatomy and the degree of laxity. Emma will explain the differences between them and whether either is appropriate. They cannot remove excess skin or reproduce a surgical lift, and their effects are not immediately reversible like hyaluronic-acid filler.

Important to know

Non-surgical treatment has limits and cannot reproduce a facelift or remove large amounts of excess skin. Results vary, may develop gradually and may require maintenance; risks, recovery and alternatives are discussed before treatment. If you use a GLP-1 medicine, do not stop or change it for an aesthetic concern without speaking to your prescriber. Your health and a sustainable weight-management plan remain central to decisions about timing.

This information is general and is not a diagnosis. New, changing, bleeding or otherwise concerning skin lesions should be assessed by an appropriate medical professional.

A personal assessment

Let’s begin with a conversation.

If you are unsure what is causing your concern, book a consultation and we will help you understand the next steps.

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