The lower face is often one of the first areas to show signs of aging. Gravity, volume loss, and changes in skin elasticity can lead to sagging along the jawline, marionette lines, and deeper folds near the mouth. These changes tend to become more noticeable with time, even when the rest of the face still looks refreshed.
Lower face rejuvenation with fillers helps minimize these signs without surgery. Fillers can be used to restore lost volume, improve contour, and reduce the appearance of deep lines. At Mimi Lee M.D. PA in Little Rock, AR, we offer this treatment to help patients address age-related changes in the lower face.
The Basics About Dermal Fillers for the Lower Face
Dermal fillers are injectable treatments made from substances like hyaluronic acid or calcium hydroxylapatite. These materials are used to add volume beneath the skin and support areas that have lost their structure with age. In the lower face, fillers can address sagging and restore smoother, more balanced contours.
As skin loses elasticity and fat pads shift downward, the lower face can begin to look heavier or less defined. Fillers lift and support the tissue from beneath the surface. This reduces the appearance of deeper lines and softens the transitions between facial features.
What We Can Treat in the Lower Face With Dermal Fillers
Marionette Lines
These lines run downward from the corners of the mouth and can create a drawn or tired appearance. Volume loss around the mouth contributes to their depth. Adding support in this area can help smooth the lines and soften the lower face.
Pre-Jowl Folds
The space just before the jowl can start to hollow out as tissues shift and skin sags. Restoring volume here can help even out the jawline and reduce the appearance of heaviness in the lower face. This approach can also improve facial balance without surgery.
Recessed Chin
A weak or recessed chin can throw off facial proportions, especially as the lower face loses definition with age. Fillers can be used to subtly project the chin forward to improve balance and profile. This is often combined with a jawline treatment using fillers for a more cohesive result.
Jawline Contouring
The jawline can lose its sharpness during aging which makes the face appear softer or less defined. The strategic placement of filler enhances the angles of the jaw and creates a cleaner separation between the jaw and neck.
Lower Cheek Hollowing
As fat pads shift downward, the lower cheek may start to look sunken or deflated. Replacing lost volume in this area can help smooth transitions from the cheek to the jaw. This can also support nearby features and improve the overall appearance of the lower face.
Nasolabial Folds
These folds run from the nose to the corners of the mouth and deepen with age. While movement contributes to their formation, volume loss plays a role as well. Dermal fillers can be used to soften these lines and support the mid- to lower-face structure.
Oral Commissures
Downturned corners of the mouth can create a frowning appearance, even at rest. This often results from a combination of volume loss and muscle movement. Filler in this area can help lift the corners slightly and create a more neutral expression.
Chin Wrinkles
Horizontal lines or dimpling across the chin can become more visible as the skin thins. Smoothing these lines with filler can help the chin look firmer and more uniform. In some cases, this treatment can be combined with other treatments, such as neuromodulators, to further improve chin wrinkles.
Types of Dermal Fillers for the Lower Face
JUVÉDERM®
JUVÉDERM is a well-known type of dermal filler made from hyaluronic acid. Its smooth gel consistency gives you natural-looking results and allows us to place the product exactly where it is desired. The JUVÉDERM family has a variety of formulations, each designed for specific depths and treatment areas, which gives us the flexibility to choose the perfect product for your lower face.
- JUVÉDERM VOLUX: This filler is formulated for structural support and is perfect for jawline contouring and chin enhancement. It has a thicker consistency and provides more definition. VOLUX is often chosen when the goal is to enhance the lower face structure or improve facial balance.
- JUVÉDERM VOLUMA: While often used in the midface, VOLUMA can also be used in the lower face to provide gentle lift and volume. It’s particularly useful for augmenting the chin.
- JUVÉDERM ULTRA PLUS XC: This formulation is softer than VOLUX but has the perfect thickness for treating deep lines in the lower face. It is frequently used for the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and oral commissures.
Restylane®
The Restylane family of fillers is made from hyaluronic acid and is known for its range of formulations, each designed to move and perform differently depending on the treatment area. Restylane uses XpresHAn Technology™, which allows the filler to flex with facial expressions while still providing structure and volume.
- Restylane Defyne: This formulation treats deeper lines and folds while still allowing for natural movement. It works well in dynamic areas like marionette lines or the lower cheeks, where expressions are frequent. It is also great for treating chin retrusion.
- Restylane Lyft: Originally developed for the midface, Restylane Lyft is also effective in the jawline and chin when a firmer filler is needed. It adds lift and volume to areas that have lost definition, and it can help restore smoother transitions between features.
- Restylane Refyne: This filler is used in the nasolabial folds. With XpresHAn Technology, it moves with your face and looks natural under your skin.
Radiesse®
Radiesse is a biostimulator made from calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. Radiesse provides immediate volume, just like hyaluronic acid fillers, and also stimulates your body’s natural collagen production. As the gel absorbs, the microspheres remain in place and help form a scaffold that encourages long-term tissue support.
This treatment is often used in areas of the lower face that benefit from structure and lift, such as the jawline, chin, oral commissures, and pre-jowl folds. Its thicker consistency makes it well-suited for deeper placement and restoring facial contours that have softened with age.
How Dermal Filler Treatments Work
Consultation and Customization
Before we begin any treatment, we sit down with you to talk through your concerns and goals. We look at your facial structure, skin quality, and how aging has affected different areas of your lower face. Based on what we see, we recommend a filler plan that targets the areas where volume loss, sagging, or deep lines are most noticeable.
Injection Technique
We use small, controlled injections to place filler exactly where it is wanted. Depending on the product and area, we may use a fine needle or a blunt-tipped cannula to improve comfort and precision. Our focus is always on enhancing your natural features without overfilling.
Combination Treatments
In some cases, filler alone may not give the best result. We might suggest combining fillers with neuromodulators to address other signs of aging, like dynamic wrinkles. When we take this approach, we always space treatments properly and explain how each one contributes to the overall result.
What to Expect During Your Treatment
When you come in for facial fillers, we’ll start by reviewing the plan we discussed during your consultation. We clean the area thoroughly and may apply a topical numbing cream if needed, though many fillers already contain lidocaine to help with comfort. As we inject, we’ll check the symmetry and make small adjustments as we go to shape the lower face more precisely. The entire treatment usually takes about 30 minutes. You’ll be able to sit up and check the results right away, and we’ll go over what to expect in the hours and days that follow.
After Your Treatment
It’s normal to see some swelling or small bruises where the filler was placed. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise, alcohol, and heavy pressure on the treated areas for at least 24 hours. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work or social activities the same day or the next. We’ll schedule a follow-up if needed, especially if we’re layering treatments or combining them with other services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lower Face Fillers
How Long Will My Fillers Last?
The duration depends on the type of filler we use and where it’s placed. Fillers in the lower face last anywhere from 9 to 18 months. Thicker products tend to last longer than softer fillers. Fillers placed in areas with frequent motion may wear off a little sooner. We’ll walk you through what to expect based on the specific product we’re using.
How Much Filler Will I Need?
This depends on your facial structure, how much volume has been lost, and which areas we’re treating. Some patients need just one or two syringes for subtle improvement, while others may need more to build structure along the jawline or chin. During your consultation, we’ll map out a plan that works for your goals and let you know how much product we think you’ll need.
When Will I See My Dermal Filler Results?
You’ll see volume right away after treatment, though there may be some swelling that can make the area look fuller than expected at first. That usually settles within a few days. For some products like Radiesse, results continue to improve over the next few weeks as collagen production kicks in. We always review what’s normal and when to expect your final result before you leave.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for Dermal Fillers?
Most healthy adults with mild to moderate volume loss, skin laxity, or deeper lines in the lower face can benefit from fillers. We’ll review your medical history, facial anatomy, and aesthetic goals to see if this treatment makes sense for you. If you have very heavy sagging or are looking for a more dramatic lift, we may recommend other options or combinations to get the outcome you want.
When to Combine Lower Face Rejuvenation With Other Treatments
Neuromodulators
Sometimes, deep lines are caused by repeated muscle movement, not just volume loss. In these cases, we might recommend adding a neuromodulator like Botox® or Dysport® to relax the muscles contributing to the lines. For example, if you have dimpling in the chin or a downward pull at the corners of your mouth, treating those muscles can improve the outcome.
Midface Filler
If there’s volume loss in your cheeks or midface, it can drag the lower face down visually, even if we treat the jawline or chin directly. In these cases, we may recommend treating the cheeks to lift and support the lower face from above. Treating both areas often helps the face look more cohesive and natural.
Why Choose Our Services?
When you come to us for lower face rejuvenation with fillers, you’re treated by a medical professional who brings both technical skill and thoughtful care to every appointment. Dr. Mimi Lee has over 20 years of experience performing microinjections and has personally administered thousands of syringes of filler. Her understanding of facial anatomy goes beyond surface-level placement as she evaluates the way your muscles and features interact to decide where subtle adjustments can create a more balanced look.
Dr. Lee takes the time to get to know you, your goals, and your concerns before recommending any treatment. If she doesn’t believe a filler will benefit you, she won’t suggest it. If something can help, she’ll explain why and walk you through it without putting pressure on you. Her approach is deliberate and detail-focused, and she combines the eye of an artist with the precision of a trained surgeon. Patients often say they feel like they’re speaking with someone who genuinely wants the best for them, and that’s exactly how she approaches every appointment.
Enhance Your Lower Face Without Surgery
Dermal fillers can help restore structure, soften lines, and improve contour in the lower face. At the office of Mimi Lee M.D. PA, we use the best techniques and a detailed understanding of facial anatomy to deliver results that work with your features, not against them. To schedule a consultation in Little Rock, AR, call (501) 588-7824 or contact us using our online form.