Does Red Light Therapy Help Sagging Jowls?

Sagging jowls can make you feel older than you actually are, giving your face a droopy, tired appearance.

As collagen and elastin break down over time, this common sign of aging becomes harder to hide.

Ignoring it only deepens the issue, leaving you feeling frustrated and self-conscious. But there’s hope.

Could red light therapy be the non-surgical solution you've been searching for? Keep reading to find out!

• Red light therapy stimulates collagen production, helping to tighten sagging skin, especially around the jowls.
  
  

• Consistent use of red light therapy, combined with proper skincare, can improve skin elasticity and reduce the appearance of sagging.
  
  

• Results from red light therapy typically become visible within 2 to 4 weeks, but ongoing treatments are needed to maintain improvements.
  
  

• Protect your skin from further damage by avoiding sun exposure and smoking, both of which accelerate sagging.
  
  

• When using red light therapy at home, choose a high-quality device and maintain a consistent routine for the best results.

What Collagen and Elastin Do: Collagen and elastin are proteins that help maintain the skin's structure and elasticity.

How Aging Affects Protein Production: As we age, the production of these proteins slows down, causing the skin to lose its firmness and become more prone to sagging.

Visible Signs of Collagen & Elastin Loss: Collagen loss can make the skin appear thinner and less resilient, while elastin loss reduces the skin’s ability to bounce back.

How Sugar Speeds Up Aging: A sugary diet can cause a process called glycation of collagen, in which sugars bind to it and accelerate the sagging and aging of the skin,” says Arianne Shadi Kourosh, a board-certified dermatologist and Harvard Medical School faculty member.

Inflammation and Elasticity Breakdown: This process not only contributes to inflammation but also further compromises skin elasticity.

Diet's Role in Skin Aging: Factors like diet can also influence this process, especially a high-sugar diet, which can speed up collagen breakdown through a process called glycation, leading to inflammation and further loss of elasticity.

The Benefits of Collagen Supplements: Supplementing with oral collagen has been shown to improve skin’s firmness, hydration, and elasticity, helping to reduce wrinkles and soften the appearance of sagging, particularly around the jawline.

When Collagen Decline Begins: Collagen production begins to decline in our late 20s, and by the time we reach our 40s or 50s, the effects are often noticeable around the jawline.

Lifestyle Factors That Worsen Collagen Loss: Sun exposure and smoking speed up this breakdown, leaving the skin vulnerable to sagging.

Gravity plays a significant role in the development of sagging jowls. Over time, gravity pulls the skin downward, causing the skin around the jawline to lose its tightness.

This effect becomes more noticeable as we age, with the skin around the face and neck starting to droop.

Just like the face, gravity also affects other parts of the body, including the breasts, causing them to sag over time as the skin and tissues are pulled downward.

Gravity continues to shift fat deposits and skin, contributing not only to the appearance of jowls but also to sagging in other areas.

Weight Changes and Skin Sagginess: Massive weight changes, especially weight loss, can affect the skin’s sagginess,” says Dr. Janiene Luke, a board-certified dermatologist and Associate Professor at Loma Linda University.

Natural Fat Loss With Aging: As we get older, the volume of fat in the face decreases, which can make the skin appear looser and less defined.

Cheek Volume and Jowl Visibility: This loss of fat, especially in the cheeks, can make jowls more noticeable.

Limitations of Red Light Therapy: While red light therapy can help tighten the skin to some degree, it does not address fat reduction in the jowl area.

Surgical Solutions for Jowl Fat: Significant jowl fat reduction and lifting can only be achieved through surgery, according to LipoTherapeia.

Accelerated Fat Loss From Lifestyle Factors: Factors like stress, rapid weight loss, and certain treatments can speed up this process, causing the face to lose volume quickly.

Hollow and Gaunt Facial Appearance: This leads to a hollow, gaunt look that makes the jawline sag more prominently.

Contour Changes From Fat Loss: A reduction in facial fat can change the contour of the face, creating a more hollow or sunken appearance.

Mild Help From Non-Surgical Treatments: While non-surgical treatments like facial exercises, collagen supplements, and retinoid creams may help improve skin elasticity and add some fullness, they can’t fully reverse the effects of facial fat loss.

Combined Impact of Aging and Weight Loss: Weight loss, along with natural aging, can accelerate this process and contribute to a loss of volume around the jawline.

Sun exposure is one of the most significant contributors to skin aging. UV rays, which penetrate outer skin layers and harm deeper skin cells, damage the skin by breaking down collagen and elastin, two key components that keep skin firm and elastic.

This damage leads to a loss of skin structure and elasticity, causing sagging, especially around the jawline.

The early signs of UV damage often appear as redness, dry patches, and fine lines, typically in areas most exposed to the sun like the face, neck, and décolletage.

Over time, prolonged sun exposure accelerates aging and can contribute to the development of drooping jowls.

To protect your skin and preserve its elasticity, make sunscreen a daily habit, wear protective clothing, and limit your time in direct sunlight.

These simple steps can help slow the effects of UV damage and maintain a more youthful appearance.

Smoking accelerates the aging process and is a major cause of sagging skin. The chemicals in cigarettes break down collagen and elastin, weakening the skin’s support structure.

This results in a loss of firmness around the jawline, causing the skin to sag. Smoking also reduces blood flow to the skin, limiting its ability to repair itself and receive the nutrients it needs.

However, non-surgical treatments like Ultherapy, which uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin naturally, can help counteract this damage by stimulating collagen production and tightening loose skin, restoring some of the elasticity lost due to smoking.

Poor nutrition can also affect the firmness of your skin. Without the right vitamins and minerals, your body struggles to produce collagen and elastin, leading to weakened skin.

A diet high in sugar accelerates the breakdown of collagen, while a lack of protein reduces skin’s firmness and elasticity.

Incorporating collagen into your diet, either through supplements or collagen-rich foods, can help improve skin hydration and firmness, boost elasticity, and reduce the appearance of sagging jowls.

Essential nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids are key for supporting collagen production and maintaining skin elasticity, helping to prevent sagging and keeping your skin firm and youthful.

Genetics plays a significant role in how we age. If your parents or grandparents had sagging jowls, it’s more likely that you may experience similar issues.

Your genetic makeup affects the amount of collagen and elastin in your skin, which can determine how early or pronounced jowls may develop as you age.

These factors, combined with how your skin reacts to environmental influences like sun exposure, can make a big difference.

While you can't change your genetics, adopting preventive measures such as using anti-ageing skincare, applying SPF daily, and leading a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the effects and keep your skin firmer for longer.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor) helps shield your skin from harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn and premature aging.

How Red Light Stimulates Collagen: Red light therapy works by stimulating an enzyme called cytochrome C oxidase , which boosts cell energy and collagen activity. It’s most effective at wavelengths like 630nm and 830nm .

Tightening Loose Areas: When skin cells absorb red light energy, it activates collagen production in the dermis the skin layer responsible for structure and elasticity.

Visible Results Over Time: Studies show that with consistent use over 84 days , sagging skin can reduce by up to 24.8% .

Best for Mild to Moderate Sagging: While red light therapy is effective for mild to moderate skin laxity , more severe sagging may require dermal fillers, laser treatments, or surgery.

Use with Caution: Overuse or incorrect application can cause skin damage , such as burns or blisters, so always follow recommended guidelines for safe use.

Red light therapy can help enhance skin elasticity, making the skin more resilient and less prone to sagging.

The therapy encourages the production of elastin, a protein that works alongside collagen to keep the skin firm and flexible.

Improved circulation is one of the benefits of red light therapy that helps support healthy skin.

By increasing blood flow beneath the skin’s surface, it brings essential nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, which encourages healing and regeneration.

Red light therapy helps reduce inflammation by targeting damaged cells and encouraging the skin to repair itself.

Reducing inflammation not only improves the overall appearance of the skin but also supports collagen production.

Red light therapy boosts cell turnover, which is essential for maintaining youthful-looking skin.

As the skin’s natural renewal process speeds up, collagen production increases, and fine lines begin to diminish.

When selecting a red light therapy device, quality matters. Look for a device with the right wavelength, typically between 600 to 650 nm for effective skin penetration.

A higher-quality device will emit consistent light intensity, ensuring better results. To get the most out of your treatments, you can also incorporate facial exercises like jawline stretches, cheek lifts, and chin tucks.

These exercises help tone the muscles around your jawline, complementing the collagen-boosting effects of red light therapy for more noticeable results.

Proper skin preparation before using red light therapy helps maximize its effectiveness. Start by thoroughly cleansing your face to remove dirt, oil, and makeup.

Using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser ensures your skin stays balanced and doesn’t interfere with the therapy.

Hydrate your skin with a moisturizer, but avoid overly greasy creams, as they can block light penetration.

Red light therapy works best when used regularly. For best results, aim for daily sessions, each lasting around 10-20 minutes.

Skipping sessions can delay or diminish results, so stick to a routine. Collagen production requires time and consistency.

Maintaining the right distance from the device is crucial for optimal results. Holding the red light therapy device too close can cause irritation, while holding it too far may reduce its effectiveness.

For the best results, aim to keep the device 15 to 30 centimeters away from your skin.

You can easily measure this distance using a tape measure, ensuring consistent and even exposure for maximum benefits.

Apply Hydrating Serum Before Treatment: Use a hydrating serum like hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that helps retain moisture, keeping skin hydrated and plump, before your session to increase skin hydration, which can amplify the effects of red light.

Boost Results with Active Ingredients: Incorporating serums like vitamin C, niacinamide, or peptides can further boost your results by improving skin tone, texture, and radiance...

Achieve a Smoother, Youthful Complexion: "...creating a smoother, more youthful complexion."

Red light therapy can significantly improve skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production.

This process helps the skin regain its firmness and reduces the appearance of sagging, especially around the jowls.

In addition to tightening sagging skin, it also works to reduce the depth of deep wrinkles over time, enhancing overall skin texture and promoting smoother, more youthful skin.

While results vary depending on skin condition and treatment frequency, you can start noticing visible changes within 2 to 4 weeks of consistent use.

Though red light therapy can gradually improve the jowls over time, don't expect dramatic results overnight, it works slowly but steadily, with improvements becoming more noticeable over a few months.

Besides tightening the skin, red light therapy also helps improve skin tone and firmness, leaving your skin looking smoother and more youthful.

Red light therapy can be a game-changer for sagging jowls, but it's important to understand how long the results last.

Typically, the effects of red light therapy can last for several months, but they are not permanent.

To maintain these results, ongoing treatments are necessary. While red light therapy helps tighten and rejuvenate the skin, it doesn’t completely stop jowls from sagging over time.

Red light therapy works even better when combined with radiofrequency treatments, rather than using it alone, because the two together can enhance skin tightening and boost results.

Radiofrequency treatments use heat to stimulate collagen and elastin production, helping to tighten skin.

Deep-acting, high-power radiofrequency is considered the gold standard for safely and effectively tightening the jawline area, so some people choose to combine both treatments for better, longer-lasting results.

Many people find that periodic sessions every few weeks or a few times a year are ideal for preserving a youthful, firm appearance and continuing to see the benefits of the treatment.