How to Get a Better Jawline: Injectables vs. Plastic Surgery

Some people think that an angled, contoured jaw makes for an attractive profile and youthful appearance — but getting that sculpted look may be challenging with exercise alone. Genetics, aging and weight gain may play a role in jaw and chin shape. If you want a different jawline, weight loss and jawline exercises may not be enough to sculpt or tighten the muscles of the lower face.

Non-Surgical Treatments for the Jawline

If you have sagging skin under the jaw or a double chin, there are several non-invasive treatments you may wish to consider.

1. Kybella®

Kybella® is an FDA-approved prescription medication used to eliminate moderate to severe submental fat under the chin. It is administered via injection. The active ingredient in Kybella®, synthetic deoxycholic acid, permanently destroys fat cells so they can no longer accumulate fat in that area of the face. Kybella® can be used off label to remove fat along the sides and back of the jaw as well as under the chin.

Kybella® treatments require multiple injections per treatment. The number of injections required will be determined by the amount of submental fat you have. You may need up to six treatments, each spaced one month apart, before treatment is complete. Approximately 59% of people who get Kybella® undergo six sessions before their treatment is complete.¹

Kybella® isn't covered by insurance and may be expensive. The cost of Kybella varies, based on the number of injections and treatments you need. Geography can also play a role. Kybella® may cost anywhere from $1,200 to $1,800 or more per treatment.²

2. Dermal fillers

Dermal (facial) fillers are injectable medications used to reduce the appearance of sagging skin, jowls and age-related volume loss around the jaw. They're also used for chin augmentation. Dermal fillers don't remove fat; instead, they add volume to the chin or bony edges of the jawbone. By making the jawline more proportional, dermal fillers elongate and contour this area of the face.

If you have significant volume loss in your cheeks that causes the skin to sag below the jaw, filler may be injected into the cheeks in addition to the jaw to restore volume and give the appearance of tighter skin and a sculpted jawline.

Most FDA-approved dermal fillers are made from hyaluronic acid which dissolves over time. Based on the type of filler you have, you can expect the effects to last for 12 to 24 months.

Dermal fillers are FDA approved for varying parts of the body. Currently, Juvederm® Voluma™ XC and Restylane® Defyne are approved by the FDA for chin augmentation. Juvederm® Volux is FDA-approved for use in the chin and jaw.

Jaw contouring usually requires one to four syringes of medication per treatment. Their cost varies, based on the look you wish to achieve and other factors, such as geographic area. In general, you can expect to pay around $684 per syringe.³ Dermal fillers are not covered by health insurance for cosmetic purposes.

In addition to fillers, fat from another part of your body may be removed by liposuction and injected into the jawline. Fat injection lasts longer than dermal fillers but requires more downtime as this is typically a surgical procedure performed under general or local anesthesia.

3. Botox® Cosmetic

If your jaw is squarer in shape than you would like, your doctor may recommend Botox® Cosmetic. Botox® Cosmetic injections are placed into the jaw muscles used for chewing (masseter muscles). This thins the jaw's appearance and gives it a V-shape. The results of Botox® Cosmetic typically last for three to four months.

4. Radiofrequency energy

Radiofrequency therapy is also known as radiotherapy skin tightening. It is used to tighten sagging skin around the jaw, and to stimulate collagen production. This non-invasive procedure uses radio waves to heat the dermis layer of the skin.

5. CoolSculpting

CoolSculpting, or cryolipolysis, is a cosmetic treatment that freezes excess fat to remove it from stubborn areas. CoolSculpting is a non-invasive procedure, meaning it does not involve cuts, anesthesia, or instruments entering the body.

Cosmetic Surgery Options for the Jawline

There are surgical techniques that may be beneficial for retrogenia. Cosmetic surgery may also eliminate sagging, loose skin around the neck and remove moderate to large amounts of fat from under the jaw. Cosmetic surgery treatments may be able to give you the jawline you're looking for.

1. Liposuction

Liposuction is a type of cosmetic plastic surgery. It may improve the appearance of the jaw by removing fat from the chin and neck.

Liposuction is done under general or local anesthesia. The surgeon will make one or more incisions in the area where the fat will be removed. A thin hollow tube, called a cannula, will be inserted into the incision. The surgeon will loosen and remove the excess fat through the cannula that is attached to a suction device. If your skin is highly elastic, liposuction may be all you need to make your jaw look its tightest. If you have loose skin, a neck lift may be recommended after liposuction.

Since it is a cosmetic procedure, neck liposuction is not covered by health insurance. Liposuction can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $4,000, plus the costs of a consultation and follow-up visits with the doctor.⁴

2. Neck lift

A neck lift procedure is designed to give the surgeon access to the structures involved in supporting the jaw and giving it definition. During a neck lift the surgeon will remove excess skin and fat from the neck and facial muscles, better defining the jawline and removing wrinkles in the process.

There are different types of neck lifts. You and the doctor can determine which type is best for you:

• Cervicoplasty removes excess, loose skin from the neck
• Platysmaplasty tightens loose neck muscles

The average cost of a neck lift, not including anesthesia and other hospital costs, is approximately $5,774.⁵ Your geographic region and the surgeon's experience may impact the cost.

Health insurance doesn't cover the cost of a neck lift.¹ Your insurance plan may also reject claims for medical care that are required if you have complications from your procedure.

3. Chin surgery (Genioplasty)

There are two surgical procedures for chin augmentation. If you have a receding chin, you and the doctor can decide which is best for you:

• Horizontal sliding genioplasty. The surgeon will shift (horizontally slide) the existing chin into a forward position, making it more pronounced.
• Chin implant (alloplastic genioplasty). Chin implants come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The surgeon will make an incision inside the mouth or on the face. The tissues in that area will be stretched to accommodate an implant. Implants are made from synthetic materials.

When chin surgery is done for cosmetic reasons, it is not covered by insurance.

What Influences Jawline and Chin Shape?

Heredity can play a strong role in jaw and chin shape. If you were born with a receding, or “weak" chin, you may have your ancestors to blame. Retrogenia, commonly known as a receding chin, causes your chin to sit far back in relation to the rest of your face. This condition is usually the result of heredity but can also result from an uncorrected overbite.

Double chins also run in families. No matter how sculpted or slender your physique, you may have trouble getting rid of submental fat, the little pocket of fat that forms, and stubbornly stays, under your chin.

Aging skin loses elasticity, causing the skin around the jaw to soften or sag. Fluctuations in weight can also have this effect.

If endless chin presses and fish faces aren't giving you the look you want, it may be time to consider your options. These non-surgical and surgical techniques may be able to give you the jawline you're looking for.

Choosing Between Non-Surgical vs. Surgical Options

You don't have to live with a jawline you're unhappy with. Consider choosing a highly qualified professional to help you decide your best course of action. Things to consider discussing with your doctor include:

• The look you're going for
• Your age and overall skin elasticity
• Your overall health
• Whether or not you want a permanent or semi-permanent result
• The potential side effects of each treatment
• The amount of downtime needed
• Budget

Talk to a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon to determine which treatment is best for you.

Financing Cosmetic Jawline Treatments With The CareCredit Credit Card

When getting a jawline treatment or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Our Expert Reviewer

Dr. Michael Niccole is the Medical Director of CosmetiCare Plastic Surgery Center & MedSpa in Corona Del Mar, California, which he founded in 1982. He has been practicing medicine for 48 years and received his undergraduate education from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. He received his medical education from the University of California Irvine, where he also performed his residency in General Surgery and Otolaryngology. Dr. Niccole performed his residency in Plastic Surgery at University of Utah School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, and specializes in cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, nose, and body.

He is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial Plastics & Reconstructive Surgery. He was voted OC Weekly's "Best Cosmetic Surgeon" for multiple years and the Muscular Dystrophy Association's "Man of the Year" in 2008 for donating his plastic surgery skills to help those in need.

Author Bio

Corey Whelan is a freelance writer with 15 years of experience focusing on medical issues and health and wellness content. Her works have been featured in outlets such as Newsweek and Time, Inc.