How to Get Rid of Jowls at Home: What Really Helps

Jowls form as skin, bone and fat change with age. At home, daily sunscreen and facial EMS or gua sha can help the jawline look firmer and more defined.

By the Radiant editorial team9 min read

Smiling woman in her fifties resting both hands along her jawline and lower cheeks

Key takeaways

  • Jowls form as skin collagen, jawbone shape and the soft tissue along the jaw change with age; smoking adds to the look.
  • At home you can soften the look of jowls and support a defined-looking jawline, but not erase them.
  • Facial EMS, gua sha and facial exercise each have small, encouraging studies behind them.
  • Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen is the prevention step with the longest-running evidence.
  • Pronounced or one-sided jowls are a conversation for a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
In this guide

Jowls are often the first place the lower face shows time, and they are among the most searched skin concerns. This guide explains what jowls are, why they form, what an at-home routine can realistically do for the look of your jawline, and when it makes sense to see a specialist instead.

What are jowls?

Jowls are the soft fullness that forms along and just below the jawline, usually between the corners of the mouth and the angle of the jaw. They appear when skin, fat and the structures that support them change with age, so the once-crisp edge of the jaw looks softer, heavier and less defined.

Anatomy explains why jowls sit exactly where they do. In a cadaver study, plastic surgeons identified two distinct pockets of fat above the lower border of the jaw that make up the jowl. A band of connective tissue, the mandibular septum, separates that fat from the fat of the neck and tethers the skin to the jawbone (Reece et al., 2008). Because the skin is anchored along that line, soft tissue above it gathers there instead of sloping smoothly into the neck, which is what creates the visible break in the jawline.

Not every fullness along the jaw is a jowl. Some people notice it in their twenties, when it reflects the shape of the chin and jaw rather than age-related change, a look sometimes called pseudo-jowls. The lower face is shaped by bone as well as soft tissue (Shaw et al., 2010), so a professional assessment is the clearest way to know which one you are seeing.

Can you get rid of jowls at home?

You cannot fully get rid of established jowls at home, but you can help them look softer and support a more defined-looking jawline. The most consistent approach pairs daily sun protection with regular facial muscle work, such as EMS face sculpting, gua sha or facial exercise, practiced over weeks rather than days.

It is worth being clear about the limits. At-home tools work on the skin's surface and the muscle layer beneath it. They cannot reposition deep fat compartments or rebuild bone, which is why pronounced jowling is a conversation for a specialist. Even in-office microfocused ultrasound is considered best suited to mild-to-moderate laxity, with surgery suggested for severe laxity (Fabi, 2015).

Within those limits, the research on facial muscle stimulation is encouraging. In a 12-week randomized controlled trial of 108 women, a facial EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) device used for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, was associated with an 18.6% increase in cheek-muscle thickness on ultrasound, while the untreated control group saw no increase. At least 80% of EMS users reported improved firmness, tone and lift, compared with fewer than 5% of controls (Kavanagh et al., 2012).

EMS is one of five technologies in our GlowLift™ Infinity face sculpting device. GlowLift™ Infinity is a 5-in-1 at-home face sculpting device that combines contrast therapy (warm and cold modes), EMS muscle stimulation, LED light, high-frequency vibration and gua sha-inspired sculpting to support firmer-looking, more defined skin. It is FDA-cleared, and a full session takes five to seven minutes. The trial above tested a different device in longer sessions, so read it as evidence for the technique, not for any single product.

What causes jowls?

Jowls are caused by several age-related changes happening at once: skin produces less collagen, the jawbone gradually changes shape, and the soft tissue along the jaw loses its crisp support. Smoking and sun exposure add to the visible signs of aging, which is one reason two people of the same age can have very different jawlines.

  • Less collagen. Chronologically aged skin makes less type I and type III collagen. In one study, skin cells (fibroblasts) from people over 80 produced about a third less procollagen than cells from adults aged 18 to 29 (Varani et al., 2006).
  • A changing jawbone. CT scans of 120 adults showed that the height and length of the jaw's body decrease with age while the jaw angle widens, in women and men alike. The authors link these bony changes, together with soft-tissue change, to the aged look of the lower third of the face (Shaw et al., 2010).
  • Time more than sun, for sagging specifically. In a study of 298 women, sagging tracked mainly with chronological age and did not differ between sun-seekers and sun-avoiders, while wrinkles and texture were shaped by both age and sun (Flament et al., 2013). Sun protection still matters for the quality of the skin around the jaw.
  • Smoking. Among 79 pairs of identical twins with different smoking histories, the smoking twins scored worse for jowls, nasolabial folds and lower-lid bags than their non-smoking siblings (Okada et al., 2013).

Which at-home methods help jowls most?

The best-studied at-home options for sagging jowls are daily broad-spectrum sunscreen, facial EMS, gua sha and facial exercise. Each has modest but measurable research behind it, and none matches an in-office procedure. Combining sun protection with a short daily sculpting ritual is the most practical way to support a more defined-looking jawline at home. For the full evidence on facial gua sha, read does gua sha work, and for how EMS differs from microcurrent, see EMS vs microcurrent.

Option What the research shows Time commitment Best for
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen 903 adults under 55: daily users showed no detectable increase in skin aging over 4.5 years, and 24% less skin aging than occasional users (Hughes et al., 2013) Every morning Everyone, at every age
Facial EMS device 12-week randomized trial, 108 women: cheek-muscle thickness up 18.6% vs baseline (Kavanagh et al., 2012) 20 min, 5 days a week in the study; 5–7 min per GlowLift™ session An early softening of the jawline; muscle tone
Gua sha 8-week randomized trial, 34 women: facial contour measurements, including jawline surface distance, down 2.23–2.40 mm (Ahn et al., 2025) 10 min, 5 times a week in the study A sculpted, de-puffed look
Facial exercise 20-week pilot, 16 women completed, no control group: upper and lower cheek fullness improved, and estimated age fell from 50.8 to 48.1 years (Alam et al., 2018) 30 min daily for 8 weeks, then 3–4 times a week Anyone with time and patience
In-office microfocused ultrasound Review: best suited to mild-to-moderate skin laxity (Fabi, 2015) Clinic visits Moderate laxity, after a consultation
Surgical lower face and neck lift Considered for severe laxity (Fabi, 2015) Surgery and recovery time Pronounced jowling

Two caveats keep this honest. These studies measured groups of people, and individual results varied. The facial exercise study was small and had many dropouts, and the EMS and gua sha studies tested specific protocols rather than any particular device. Taken together, they point in the same direction: regular, gentle work on the facial muscles and soft tissue supports the look of a firmer, more defined face.

What does an at-home jowl routine look like?

A practical at-home routine for the jawline takes under ten minutes. Cleanse, apply a serum, warm the skin, work the jaw and lower cheeks with EMS and slow upward strokes, then finish cool, and protect with sunscreen in the morning. Doing it five or more days a week matters more than turning up the intensity.

  1. Cleanse and dry your skin. Start with a clean surface so your serum and device glide evenly.
  2. Apply your serum or facial oil. A layer of slip protects the skin and lets each stroke move smoothly.
  3. Warm up for 2–3 minutes. With GlowLift™ in warm mode, glide from the center of the chin along the jawline toward the ear, then up the neck, always moving upward and outward.
  4. Add EMS for 2–3 minutes. Begin on Level 1 and trace the same path along the jaw and under the cheekbones. Build to higher levels only when the sensation feels comfortable.
  5. Finish cool for 1–2 minutes. Cold mode sweeps outward over the jaw and under the eyes for a refreshed, de-puffed look.
  6. Protect in the morning. Finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, the step with the longest-running evidence behind it.

EMS is not for everyone. Do not use an EMS device if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator or other active electronic implant, or on broken, irritated or infected skin. If you have epilepsy or a diagnosed skin condition, check with your doctor first.

How can you prevent jowls?

You cannot stop the natural aging changes behind jowls, but you can manage the factors you control. Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, avoid smoking, keep the facial muscles engaged with a short sculpting ritual, and build a consistent skincare routine. The earlier these habits start, the longer they have to support the look of a defined jawline.

Prevention is a long game. Daily sunscreen use was linked to measurably less skin aging over four and a half years (Hughes et al., 2013), and identical twins who smoked showed more lower-face aging, jowls included, than their non-smoking siblings (Okada et al., 2013). At Radiant, we see this as skin longevity: small daily rituals that add up over years. You can read more about our approach to skin longevity, or explore our at-home skincare and beauty devices to build a routine that fits your life.

When should you see a dermatologist about jowls?

See a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon if your jowls are pronounced, appeared quickly, look noticeably uneven on one side, or come with swelling, a lump or tenderness. A specialist can also tell you whether in-office options such as energy-based devices, injectables or surgery suit you, and how they compare with an at-home routine.

A consultation is also useful if you are unsure whether you are seeing jowls or the natural shape of your chin and jaw. Many people choose to combine both worlds: in-office care for the deeper structures, and a daily at-home ritual for the look of firmness, tone and glow in between.

Sources

  1. Reece EM, Pessa JE, Rohrich RJ. The mandibular septum: anatomical observations of the jowls in aging. Implications for facial rejuvenation. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;121(4):1414–1420. PubMed 18349664 · doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000302462.61624.26
  2. Shaw RB Jr, Katzel EB, Koltz PF, et al. Aging of the mandible and its aesthetic implications. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2010;125(1):332–342. PubMed 20048624 · doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3181c2a685
  3. Fabi SG. Noninvasive skin tightening: focus on new ultrasound techniques. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2015;8:47–52. PubMed 25709486 · doi:10.2147/CCID.S69118
  4. Kavanagh S, Newell J, Hennessy M, Sadick N. Use of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device for facial muscle toning: a randomized, controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2012;11(4):261–266. PubMed 23174048 · doi:10.1111/jocd.12007
  5. Varani J, Dame MK, Rittie L, et al. Decreased collagen production in chronologically aged skin: roles of age-dependent alteration in fibroblast function and defective mechanical stimulation. Am J Pathol. 2006;168(6):1861–1868. PubMed 16723701 · doi:10.2353/ajpath.2006.051302
  6. Flament F, Bazin R, Laquieze S, et al. Effect of the sun on visible clinical signs of aging in Caucasian skin. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2013;6:221–232. PubMed 24101874 · doi:10.2147/CCID.S44686
  7. Okada HC, Alleyne B, Varghai K, Kinder K, Guyuron B. Facial changes caused by smoking: a comparison between smoking and nonsmoking identical twins. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013;132(5):1085–1092. PubMed 23924651 · doi:10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182a4c20a
  8. Hughes MC, Williams GM, Baker P, Green AC. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2013;158(11):781–790. PubMed 23732711 · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00002
  9. Ahn SH, Hwang UJ, Han HS, et al. Comparative effects of facial roller and gua sha massage on facial contour, muscle tone, and skin elasticity: randomized controlled trial. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025;24(6):e70236. PubMed 40439289 · doi:10.1111/jocd.70236
  10. Alam M, Walter AJ, Geisler A, et al. Association of facial exercise with the appearance of aging. JAMA Dermatol. 2018;154(3):365–367. PubMed 29299598 · doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2017.5142

Frequently asked questions

Facial exercise can support a fuller, more toned look, but it will not erase established jowls. In a small 20-week pilot, 16 middle-aged women who practiced 30-minute daily exercises, then 3–4 sessions a week, showed fuller-looking upper and lower cheeks (Alam et al., 2018). The study had no control group, so read it as encouraging rather than conclusive.

EMS (electrical muscle stimulation) engages the facial muscles that skin rests on. In a 12-week randomized trial of 108 women, a facial EMS device was associated with an 18.6% increase in cheek-muscle thickness, and most users reported improved firmness and tone (Kavanagh et al., 2012). It supports a more defined-looking contour; it does not reposition deeper tissue.

No. GlowLift™ Infinity uses EMS, gentle electrical impulses that engage the facial muscles, not microcurrent. It combines EMS with warm and cold contrast therapy, LED light, high-frequency vibration and a gua sha-inspired stainless-steel edge, and every mode has three intensity levels so you can start gently and build at your own pace.

It varies from person to person, so we don't promise a timeline. The studies behind at-home methods ran for 8 to 20 weeks of regular practice, which shows that consistency matters most. A five-to-seven-minute routine, five or more days a week, paired with daily sunscreen, gives your skin the steady support it needs over time.

Gua sha can support a more sculpted, de-puffed look along the jaw. In an 8-week randomized trial, the 17 women who used gua sha for 10 minutes, five times a week, showed small reductions in facial contour measurements, including jawline surface distance (Ahn et al., 2025). The effects were measured in millimeters, so think refinement, not transformation.

Skip EMS if you are pregnant or have a pacemaker, implanted defibrillator or other active electronic implant, and never use it on broken, irritated or infected skin. If you have epilepsy or a diagnosed skin condition, check with your doctor first. Questions about whether GlowLift™ suits you? Reach us through our contact form.

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This guide is for general education and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a health question, please speak with a dermatologist or your doctor.

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