Need advice pls - sagging jaw and no cheekbones
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Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:30 pm

I'm new to all this so sorry if this is in the wrong section. I know many of you are fans of facial exercises and fillers so I wanted to ask a question. I'm 40 and I've noticed jowls appearing(sagging jawline) for many years now. Other people have also commented so its very noticeable Sad

My cheeks are completely flat and my cheekbones are invisible. Is it worth me trying facial exercises as I doubt that the muscles could be built up enough to make a difference? I have considered fillers but I would need a LOT to fill out my cheeks and lift my jaw. Has anyone else had this problem and managed to overcome it? My whole face is sagging as there's nothing to keep it up! Sad

I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips.

free skin care · Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:20 pm

jen00 wrote:

I'm new to all this so sorry if this is in the wrong section. I know many of you are fans of facial exercises and fillers so I wanted to ask a question. I'm 40 and I've noticed jowls appearing(sagging jawline) for many years now. Other people have also commented so its very noticeable Sad

My cheeks are completely flat and my cheekbones are invisible. Is it worth me trying facial exercises as I doubt that the muscles could be built up enough to make a difference? I have considered fillers but I would need a LOT to fill out my cheeks and lift my jaw. Has anyone else had this problem and managed to overcome it? My whole face is sagging as there's nothing to keep it up! Sad

I'd appreciate any suggestions or tips.

There's a thread on this in the DIY forum. Maybe some of the suggestions in there can help: http://www.essentialdayspa.com/forum/viewthread.php?tid=43809

free skin care · Tue Nov 15, 2011 5:29 pm

Aside from cheek implants there isn't much you can do to change the bone structure of your face. As for the rest? Well try exercise and massage, it will do no harm, as long you are gentle and don't overdo it.

The other things you can do include....

Get more cardio exercise. Nothing plumps the skin better than a cardio workout, it increases circulation and moves your lymph around so it's not pooling in your face and causing chronic water retention.

Improve your diet. Even if it's already good, you can do better. Take a green supplement. Being a whole food they are safe and boost the available nutrients to your body. If you don't have the fuels in the first place your body will cut back on nutrients to the skin in order to direct them to more vital organs. The modern diet really only provides 3 basic fuels proteins, refined carbs and fat. And not all of them are good for your body.

If you eventually decide to opt for some kind of face lift (not saying thats necessary) then establishing these habits first will ensure the very best recovery and results of any surgical action you may take in the future.

Thu Nov 17, 2011 5:39 am

Thank you for your replies. I dont take a green supplement so I'm going to look into that and thanks for the other thread too. Smile

free skin care · Thu Nov 17, 2011 7:15 am

Do you have regular dental appointments? Sometimes problems with the density of the jawbone contribute to premature ageing. Also are you consistently meeting or exceeding your government's recommendations for healthy eating and lifestyle? If yes to both I would suggest popping to see your doctor, premature ageing can be a sign your body is under stress.

free skin care · Fri Nov 18, 2011 4:37 am

I will have to agree with NotMe, implants or fillers are pretty much the only option to bring your cheeks back.

At 40, you didn't lose your cheekbones...those are a permanent part of your structure. What you did lose, however, are the "fatty pads" that were once over your cheekbones.
Facial exercises will help to a certain degree with lift and firming, but it cannot replace what is lost. For that, you need volume replacement which is filler or cheek implants. You had stated that you'd need a lot of filler to accomplish that, but have you been to a derm clinic for a free consult so they can offer their opinion? You'd be surprised what even a little filler can do. I opt for one syringe in each cheek and it makes a world of difference.

free skin care · Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:08 am

In that part of the face, I would choose a volumizer over a filler anyday. I know there are some very recently introduced in the marketplace...

best, bfg

free skin care · Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:28 am

BF, do you mean the more permanent/longer lasting type "fillers" when you say volumizers?

If that's what you meant, I was thinking that too after I posted such as Sculptra etc...it may be a more cost effective method due to them lasting longer than fillers and having to do them every couple years or so rather than every 6 months to a year.

free skin care · Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:44 am

Hi bren,

yes, I was referring to one of those volumizers such as Sculptra or Juvederm Voluma that fall under a different category than regular fillers such as Restylane.

I think you want to build, rather than replace in the cheek area - there's too much facial movement in the cheeks- fillers are quickly dissipated...and as you mention, you want something that would be more cost effective over the long run.

You probably want to research the various volumizers now available, I think there are newer ones - and each seems to be slightly different.

bfg

free skin care · Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:46 am

That's what I thought you meant and it's a great idea. I should really check in to those myself, not sure why I haven't yet.

Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:43 am

Gosh thanks everyone for all your ideas and suggestions. You have really made me think! I have had a VERY stressful time in my 30s which is now starting to show in my face. I also put on some weight but I dont want to lose it in case my face gets worse. I have a long face which makes the sagging worse. So far the only thing I managed to do to help my look was cut my hair to chin length which seems to help a bit. I'm definitely going to investigate all your ideas. I'm so grateful. One last thing to ask. I tried facial reflexology recently and my skin was great afterwards and I usually suffer from really bad period pains but it helped to rebalance my hormones and for the first time in years my period was normal Smile

But the therapist asked me if I use Botox or fillers beforehand. Am I right in thinking that facial reflexology is a bad idea if you use fillers? Surely it will break down the fillers faster? I did ask the therapist but she had no idea.

free skin care · Sat Nov 19, 2011 6:32 am

Consistent healthy eating and stress management can be really effective for dysmenorrhoea and hormone balance as well as the skin. Cool

Let me know if you want more information, lifestyle healthcare is my 'baby'!

free skin care · Sat Nov 19, 2011 5:06 pm

A plastic surgeon told me that reputable doctors don't use cheek implants any more because there was a high rate of infection and of them being dislodged. I'd suggest either saving money for a facelift or getting fillers that are buildable, like Restylane, where you keep topping up over the years.

free skin care · Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:32 pm

Not all carbohydrate sources are considered refined.

NotMeNotYou wrote:

Aside from cheek implants there isn't much you can do to change the bone structure of your face. As for the rest? Well try exercise and massage, it will do no harm, as long you are gentle and don't overdo it.

The other things you can do include....

Get more cardio exercise. Nothing plumps the skin better than a cardio workout, it increases circulation and moves your lymph around so it's not pooling in your face and causing chronic water retention.

Improve your diet. Even if it's already good, you can do better. Take a green supplement. Being a whole food they are safe and boost the available nutrients to your body. If you don't have the fuels in the first place your body will cut back on nutrients to the skin in order to direct them to more vital organs. The modern diet really only provides 3 basic fuels proteins, refined carbs and fat. And not all of them are good for your body.

If you eventually decide to opt for some kind of face lift (not saying thats necessary) then establishing these habits first will ensure the very best recovery and results of any surgical action you may take in the future.

free skin care · Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:07 am

Agree with all the suggestions already mentioned. I also started to age badly in my late 30s even though I thought I was pretty healthy. Rolling Eyes

The sagging really shocked and upset me at first.

This is what's helped me the last few years:

*collagen builders like retinoids & copper peptides- I tend to prefer CPs but they're not for everyone
*facial exercise device called the Tua Trend-- expensive but a good quick fix
*high intensity interval cardio-- helps release HGH
*intermittent fasting--also helps release HGH and also greatly reduces insulin which is good for skin since insulin causes many aging processes and diseases
*TCA and lactic acid peels-- helps more with texture of skin but can also help skin rebuild and tighten with CPs

http://ncnskincare.com/

I really didn't want to get in to "sweaty" exercise again even though I am kind of athletic but it's proved to be one of the big anti aging keys. The more I work out, the less people call me "m'aam". You don't have to go to a gym, you can do workouts at home. There is so much info online like You Tube etc. You can pick up a kettlebell, some weights and some running shoes and start making up your own workouts. Do a hard exercise like burpees or squats then run, that is what I do.

This bodyrock.tv channel has a lot of good ideas:
http://www.bodyrock.tv/

free skin care · Mon Nov 21, 2011 9:50 am

I also would add that as for collagen builders its not just about what we apply externally but also what we eat and by far one of the best foods for antiaging and collagen production is aloe vera. There's some papers I got on this recently and it was suggested that aloe vera juice twice a day for people under 30 had a significant impact on their collagen product and actually encouraged their bodies to maintain it.

With the Tua Trend, I love Tina Richards, and her whole approach is very similar to mine in that its not just about the exercises but also lifestyle and what you put in. At age 30 and under, the Tua Trend might be enough if your goal is just toning, but its also possible to get similar results from doing manual exercises using your fingers and hands.

One of the things Gretchen that I am thinking along the same lines in your post is about "sweaty" exercises. I'm started to become interested in things like tai chi and qui gong which have antiaging benefits and whilst not the same kind of exercise like high cardio, do seem to have an antiaging impact. I've not looked at any one system in great depth just yet, but its something there are a lot of positive studies on.

Good luck!

Sean

Tue Nov 22, 2011 1:27 am

Thanks for all your suggestions. I didnt know any of this stuff Embarassed

I've taken loads of notes and I'm going to check out EVERYTHING! Smile

free skin care · Thu Nov 24, 2011 7:39 pm

I agree with the collagen suggestions, but personally I take it directly in the form of Neocell Super Collagen. Its inexpensive to try and has lots of great reviews on iherb and other sites. Studies show collagen supplementation can raise your face.

An electro stimulation device might also help.

free skin care · Sat Nov 26, 2011 7:23 pm

You could have fat injections and kill two birds with one stone if you have saddlebags or fat stomach. As for filler or fat dissipating quickly because of facial movement, use botox for that.

Wed Dec 14, 2011 11:26 pm

I purchased a Neckline Slimmer from Amazon which helped tremendously.

free skin care · Thu Dec 15, 2011 12:40 am

I agree with bren21, fillers are the only way to replace the volume lost in the face. Your bone structure doesn't change as we age. It's gravity and laxity of the skin that causes the face to change it's shape and hence lose it's fullness.

free skin care · Sun Dec 25, 2011 8:09 am

wanted to share a little about my experience with cheekbones not showing and being low. I had this problem and tried alot of things. I think it was very genetic mostly with me. I had a midface/cheek lift and it was one of the best things I ever did.This was about 7 years or so ago , so I was mid 30's...kinda young for something invasive..and i really believe in the holistic approach...but it changed my life in a very positive way and i work hard to maintain the results with a healthy lifestyle(lots of yoga too) hth

free skin care · Sun Dec 25, 2011 6:03 pm

SeanySeanUK wrote:

One of the things Gretchen that I am thinking along the same lines in your post is about "sweaty" exercises. I'm started to become interested in things like tai chi and qui gong which have antiaging benefits and whilst not the same kind of exercise like high cardio, do seem to have an antiaging impact. I've not looked at any one system in great depth just yet, but its something there are a lot of positive studies on.

Good luck!

Sean

Qigong is definitely antiaging and, although similar to tai chi, easier to learn and more versatile in its applications. My qigong teacher, who is 65, has said that he had wrinkles reverse after practicing daily for awhile (I don't know how long it took). His wife was annoyed that he was looking younger than her Razz

One of his teachers is now 102 years old and is still teaching qigong, kung fu and running a Chinese medicine healing clinic in Beijing. Here he is in a recent video demonstrating qigong and swordplay moves (his knees are in better condition than mine, judging by his deep knee bends, lol!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOhz6bXhRkw&feature=related

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