What Is the Best Way to Lift the Lower Face Without Surgery?

What causes jowls and lower face sagging?
Over time, the skin loses collagen and elasticity, fat shifts downward, and the bone structure under the jaw becomes less defined. These natural changes, combined with genetics or rapid weight loss, can cause sagging along the jawline. 

Can non-surgical treatments really lift the lower face?
Yes. Studies show that treatments like ultrasound and radio-frequency can visibly tighten skin, reduce marionette lines, and restore contour. 

How do Sofwave™ and similar ultrasound devices compare to other options?
Ultrasound treatments use gentle heat to jump-start your skin’s natural repair process. Sofwave™, for example, targets the precise layer where the majority of  collagen forms, helping lift and firm the cheeks, jawline, and more.

The lower face is one of the first areas where aging becomes noticeable. Changes like jowls, marionette lines, and a softer jawline contour happen because several layers of tissue are shifting at once:

All of these factors combine to create the look of laxity in the lower face, even when the rest of the face may still look youthful.

The good news is that today’s non-surgical treatments can address many of these age-related changes. By targeting skin, fat, and support structures, providers can often restore a sharper, more youthful look to the jawline.

Sofwave™ is an advanced ultrasound treatment designed to lift and firm skin without surgery. It uses Synchronous Ultrasound Parallel Beam (SUPERB™) technology to deliver heat precisely at the 1.5–2 mm depth of the skin, the layer where collagen and elastin are formed. This triggers the body’s natural repair process, creating new supportive fibers that tighten the skin and smooth lines.

Clinical research has shown that Sofwave™ can improve lower face laxity, marionette lines, and jawline contour, with noticeable results developing over 12 weeks and lasting up to a year. Histology confirms that the treatment stimulates both neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis, resulting in firmer, more elastic skin.

As Dr. Jennifer Walden notes: “Really, Sofwave™ is the next generation of noninvasive face & neck skin tightening. Ultrasound skin and soft tissue tightening using parallel beams to address laxity and give Father Time a run for his money. It takes only 30–40 minutes. Can help lift brow, mid face, lower face, and neck, and also FDA cleared to treat cellulite.”

Injectable treatments are one of the most common approaches. Hyaluronic acid fillers replace lost volume and sharpen contours, while poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHa) gradually stimulate your own collagen over time. Clinical studies confirm PLLA is especially effective for lifting and tightening the jawline and marionette lines with results that can last years.

Radiofrequency treatments warm the dermis to encourage collagen growth, while fractional lasers resurface the upper skin layers. RF works best for mild laxity, while lasers improve texture, pigmentation, and fine lines. Together, they can refine the look of the lower face after tightening procedures.

Thread lifts use dissolvable sutures placed under the skin to provide an instant lift. As the threads dissolve, they also stimulate collagen production for a longer-term effect. A 2024 study showed that combining threads with ultrasound helped maintain improvements in jowls and jawline contour across multiple sessions. Threads are best suited for patients with mild to moderate laxity who want immediate results without surgery.

Patient Priorities vs. Best Treatment Matches

Surgery isn’t the only answer. Today’s non-surgical options can noticeably tighten the jawline, soften jowls, and restore definition with little to no downtime. Studies show these treatments encourage your skin to build fresh collagen and elastin, creating results that look natural and age gracefully over time.
Curious about Sofwave™ for lower face lifting? Book a consultation with a certified provider to see if this treatment is right for you.

What are marionette lines?
They’re the vertical creases that run from the corners of your mouth down toward the chin, often making the face look tired or droopy.
Does lower face laxity always need surgery?
No. As plastic surgeon Dr. Jimmy C. Sung told Business Insider, many people with mild to moderate sagging experience significant results from non-surgical and needle-free options like Sofwave. In fact, energy devices like Sofwave can delay the need for surgery and also serve as a maintenance option after a facelift.
How long do results last?
It depends on the treatment. Fillers may last 6 to 12 months, ultrasound about a year, and collagen stimulators up to 2 years.
Is Sofwave™ different from traditional ultrasound?
Yes. Sofwave™ uses parallel ultrasound beams to treat the precise skin layer where collagen forms, giving safe, consistent lifting without harming fat or nerves.
Can treatments be combined?
Yes. Providers often layer treatments (such as ultrasound and RF for tightening and fillers for contouring) to achieve the most natural, long-lasting results.