Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting and Ways to Manage Sagging Cheeks and Jawline

Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting

Sometimes your face does not seem noticeably different when you look in the mirror, but your facial contours may feel unusually heavy in photos. Your cheeks may appear to have dropped lower than before, or the boundary between your jaw and neck may look less defined. Some people may also feel that their face looks wider even though their weight has remained about the same.

These changes do not occur simply because fat has accumulated on the face. As collagen supporting skin elasticity decreases and the fat and ligament tissues inside the face change, the overall contours may also change. Therefore, when considering facial contour lifting, it is necessary to examine where the changes began rather than focusing only on the skin’s surface.

Why Your Facial Contours Change Even Without Weight Gain

Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting

In younger faces, the skin, fat layer, and supporting tissues tend to remain relatively stable in position. Over time, collagen and elastin in the dermis decrease, making it more difficult for the skin to remain as firm and taut as before. If the fat around the cheeks shifts downward, the nasolabial area may become more prominent or the area around the mouth may appear heavier. Fat and skin may also gather around the jaw, gradually making a once-sharp jawline look less defined.

Repeated exposure to ultraviolet rays and rapid weight gain or loss may also affect changes in skin elasticity. Repeated everyday factors, such as frequently frowning and getting insufficient sleep, can influence skin condition as well. Ultimately, facial contour lifting is difficult to view simply as pulling the skin upward. It is important to examine skin thickness, fat distribution, and the degree of elasticity loss together, then determine a management approach suited to the necessary tissue layers.

How Is Facial Contour Lifting Performed?

Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting

Facial contour lifting does not rely on just one method. In some cases, reduced skin elasticity is the main concern, while in others the face may look heavy because of fat around the cheeks or jaw. Laser or radiofrequency-based devices are used to deliver energy to the skin and create a thermal response. During this process, collagen and elastic structures within the skin are stimulated, and over time the skin may be expected to feel somewhat firmer.

Radiofrequency devices are used to deliver thermal energy to the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. Because the depth and method of energy delivery vary depending on the device, settings can be adjusted according to the areas of concern, such as the cheeks or jawline. Ultrasound-based lifting may also be used for facial contour management. This method uses ultrasound energy delivered to a specific depth inside the skin to form thermal coagulation points. Since it can be performed without making an incision in the skin’s surface, it is one of the options people who feel hesitant about surgery may consider during a consultation.

Sagging Cheeks and a Double Chin Are Not Managed in the Same Way

Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting

When looking into facial contour lifting, many people think about the cheeks and jaw together. However, the causes affecting these two areas may differ. The cheeks often show both reduced skin elasticity and changes in the position of fat. In contrast, the area beneath the chin may lose definition because it contains a relatively larger amount of fat or because the skin has become lax. Therefore, even when the same device is used, the energy intensity and treatment areas may vary.

Repeatedly undergoing overly strong treatments intended to reduce fat in people with little facial fat may instead make the face look hollow. Conversely, if someone has a larger amount of fat but manages only skin elasticity, it may be difficult to notice the desired change in facial contours. This is why the face shape and skin thickness must be assessed together. Rather than simply performing more treatments or using stronger energy, it is important to determine which changes currently account for the greatest proportion of the facial appearance.

Laser Treatments Address Skin Texture and Elasticity Together

Bangbae Station Dermatology Clinic: Facial Contouring Lifting

If skin texture or fine lines are also a concern alongside lifting, laser treatment may sometimes be performed in combination. This approach delivers energy to the skin’s surface and dermal layer to induce a skin-renewal response. Depending on the type of laser, some devices target pigmentation or skin texture, while others are used to manage elasticity. Not every laser directly lifts the face, so the treatment must be selected according to its purpose.

It is also important to consider whether the skin is thin and dry or sensitive to heat stimulation. Temporary redness or a sensation of heat may occur after energy-based treatment, and some people may experience continued swelling or sensitivity. It is advisable to inform the medical professional of your skin condition before treatment, any medications you are currently taking, and your history of previous treatments.

Facial contours do not change overnight. Because collagen loss and changes in the fat layer progress over a long period, it is more natural to plan management according to the condition of the skin. Even when receiving the same facial contour lifting treatment, responses may vary depending on age, skin thickness, and the amount of facial fat. The type and number of treatments should not be applied identically to everyone.