McKeown Medical
167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ
Jowls
Jowl Treatment in Glasgow
The shape of the lower face changes for a reason, and that reason is rarely the same from one patient to the next. At McKeown Medical, every treatment plan begins by identifying what is actually driving the change in your face. Led by Dr Darren McKeown, our approach is built on accurate diagnosis first, treatment second.
Jowl Treatment in Glasgow
The shape of the lower face changes for a reason, and that reason is rarely the same from one patient to the next. At McKeown Medical, every treatment plan begins by identifying what is actually driving the change in your face. Led by Dr Darren McKeown, our approach is built on accurate diagnosis first, treatment second.
What Causes Jowls and How They Can Be Treated
Jowls are the slack, fleshy skin that develops along the lower cheek and jawline, usually with age or significant weight loss. As the tissues of the face lose collagen and elasticity, the skin hangs more heavily while the underlying facial skeleton begins to shrink. The result is a softer, less defined jawline that can leave the face looking tired or downturned even when you’re not.
At McKeown Medical in Glasgow, we treat jowls with a tailored combination of surgical and non-surgical techniques, led by Dr Darren McKeown and consultant plastic surgeon Mr Russell Bramhall. The right approach depends on the cause and severity of the jowling, and is decided at consultation.
Why Jowls Are Worth Treating
Jowls don’t just change how the face looks. They change how the face reads. A heavier, less defined lower face often gets interpreted as tired, sad, or stern, even when you feel none of those things. Many of our patients tell us they came in because they no longer recognised the person looking back at them in the mirror, or because friends and colleagues kept asking if they were unwell.
Treating jowls restores definition to the jawline and lifts the lower third of the face. Done well, the result is subtle: the face simply looks rested and the jawline looks like it did ten or fifteen years ago. Friends notice that you look better without being able to identify why.
Beyond appearance, treating jowls early can also slow the trajectory of further ageing. Restoring volume to the cheeks, chin, and jawline supports the structures above and reduces the strain on the lower face, which means the result lasts longer and the underlying condition progresses more slowly.
Understanding Jowls
Most patients don’t notice them forming. They notice the photograph. A picture taken from below at a family event, a video call that lingers too long on your own face, a passing reflection in a shop window. The jawline that once looked defined now looks blurred. What patients are seeing is the visible result of structural changes beneath the skin. Fat pads descend, skin loses elasticity, and the underlying bone gradually resorbs.
Choosing a Jowls Treatment
No two patients develop jowls in the same way, and no two treatment plans look the same either. For some, the dominant factor is descent of the cheek fat pads, which calls for restoring mid-face support. For others, it is loose skin sitting over a structure that is still well supported, which points towards a different approach. Significant weight loss, family history, sun damage, and resorption of bone around the chin and jaw all contribute in different proportions in different patients. The treatment that suits one face will not necessarily suit another, which is why every plan begins with diagnosis rather than with a list of procedures.
Patients with good skin quality and earlier-stage changes often respond beautifully to non-surgical work. Those with more advanced laxity tend to do better with surgery. The best treatment is not the most extensive one. It is the one that matches the anatomy in front of us.
Non-surgical Jowls Treatments vs. Surgical Jowl Treatments
The two routes approach the lower face from opposite directions. Non-surgical work rebuilds support from beneath, restoring the volume and structure that have been lost so the lower face is held up rather than tightened down.
For mild to moderate jowls, particularly in patients in their 30s to early 50s with good skin quality, non-surgical treatment is highly effective. Rather than tightening the skin from above, we restore the underlying volume loss that causes the jowls to form in the first place, typically by injecting dermal filler into the cheeks, chin, and along the jawline.
Surgery does the opposite, repositioning the deeper tissues of the face and removing the excess skin that volume restoration alone cannot address.
For more severe jowls, or for patients who want the most comprehensive correction possible, the gold standard remains a surgical facelift. McKeown Medical was the first clinic in Scotland, and to date the only clinic in Scotland, to pioneer the deep plane technique. This advanced approach repositions the deeper tissues of the face rather than simply tightening the skin, which produces a result that looks natural in motion and lasts considerably longer than older facelift techniques.
Jowl Concerns We Address
Jowls rarely appear in isolation. The same anatomical shift that produces a jowl tends to soften the jawline above it, deepen the lines running from the mouth to the chin, and blur the boundary between the cheek and the jaw. Some patients develop a pre-jowl sulcus, the small hollow that sits just in front of the jowl and makes it look more prominent than it actually is. These changes are assessed together because treating one area in isolation rarely produces the most natural result.
Non-Surgical Options for Jowls
Following treatment the face looks fresher, with jowls noticeably smoother.
Following treatment the face looks fresher, with jowls noticeably smoother.
Carefully placed dermal filler supports the lower face and defines the jawline.
Carefully placed dermal filler supports the lower face and defines the jawline.
Following treatment the face looks fresher, with jowls noticeably smoother.
Following treatment the face looks fresher, with jowls noticeably smoother.
Carefully placed dermal filler supports the lower face and defines the jawline.
Carefully placed dermal filler supports the lower face and defines the jawline.
The goal is not to chase the jowl itself. It is to restore the structural support that once held the lower face in a higher position. Options can be used individually or combined, depending on what the consultation reveals.
This approach lifts and re-contours the lower face from beneath, producing a significant improvement that lasts up to two years and can be maintained indefinitely with periodic top-ups. For the most comprehensive non-surgical lift, we perform our signature volumetric facelift, a structured combination of filler placement designed to address the entire ageing pattern of the lower face in one treatment plan. Non-surgical jowl treatment can also be combined with skin tightening to address skin laxity alongside volume loss.
Volumetric Facelift
Patients often ask for filler placed directly in the jowl itself. The most effective lift, in most cases, comes from rebuilding the mid-face support above it. The volumetric facelift is designed to do exactly that, addressing the cause rather than the symptom in one structured plan. Best suited where mid-face volume loss is the dominant driver.
Chin & Jaw Filler
A well-defined chin and a clean jawline form the architecture the lower face sits on. When that architecture is rebuilt, the area becomes less visually prominent simply because the framework around it is stronger.
Cheek Filler
Patients often arrive expecting their jowls to be treated where they are most visible, along the jawline. In many cases the better answer lies higher up. Restoring support to the upper cheek lifts the lower face indirectly and reduces the heaviness that gathers along the jaw.
Profhilo Structura®
Not every case is a volume problem. Where underlying tissue support has weakened but volume itself is largely intact, Profhilo Structura strengthens the foundation of the skin without adding filler. Most suitable for earlier-stage changes where structural support, rather than volume loss, is the leading concern.
In Action
Take a look at how this restoration was achieved.
Minimally Invasive Jowl Contouring
Before & After McKeown Medical Jowl Treatment
Before & After McKeown Medical Jowl Treatment
Before & After McKeown Medical Jowl Treatment
Before & After McKeown Medical Jowl Treatment
For patients whose jowls sit between what non-surgical filler treatment can address and what would justify a full surgical facelift, The Quantum Lift offers a minimally invasive option. Delivered under local anaesthetic, the treatment combines Quantum RF skin tightening with Precision Power Assisted Liposuction (PAL) to tighten tissue beneath the skin and refine the jawline without the downtime or scarring of formal facelift surgery. It is particularly well suited to patients with mild to moderate skin laxity or early jowling driven by tissue heaviness beneath the chin.
McKeown Medical is the only clinic in Scotland currently offering The Quantum Lift as part of its lower face contouring range.
Surgical Options for Jowls
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
An example of a patient before and after a deep plane face and neck lift at McKeown Medical.
Surgery is considered where the changes are more advanced, where skin laxity has progressed beyond what restoration alone can address, or where the longest-lasting correction is preferred. All facelift surgery at McKeown Medical is performed by consultant plastic surgeon Mr Russell Bramhall (GMC 6120528).
For most patients, a deep plane facelift is a once-in-a-lifetime procedure. The jowls will always look better than if the procedure had not been done, even as the face continues to age naturally over time.
Deep Plane Facelift
The concern patients raise most often about facelifts is the worry of looking pulled or done. The deep plane technique exists to address that directly. Rather than tightening the skin, it repositions the deeper tissues that have actually descended, so the face keeps moving naturally and the result settles in a way that reads as you. McKeown Medical was the first clinic in Scotland to offer this approach.
Full Facelift
The full facelift addresses the lower face alongside the broader changes that tend to accompany it, including the upper neck, the lateral cheek, and the angle of the jaw. For advanced cases, treating the whole region together produces a more harmonious result than addressing the jawline alone.
Discover more about facelifts
Our consultant plastic surgeon Mr Russell Bramhall (GMC 6120528, FRCS(Plast), BAAPS member) is regarded for his facelifts and blepharoplasties, and strives for an elegant, “invisible” result. Here, he discusses his approach.
Treatment Options
Are you ready to start your consultation?
Finding the right treatment for you is the most important factor in ensuring that you are on the correct path to achieve the results you desire. Our pre-consultation enquiry helps us to identify your needs and, ultimately, gets you on the right path to achieving your optimal results.
Patient Testimonials
The jowls are one of the most commonly complains about parts of the face. For patients who do not wish to undergo surgery, fillers in the cheek, chin and jawline and offer an effective non-surgical solution. Listen to how this approach worked for Lorraine.
Patient Reviews
Hear from our patients about their experience at McKeown Medical.
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Dr Rhona was particularly kind and sensitive to my needs and her care is very patient centred.
A McKeown Medical patient October 2023
Dr Rhona was lovely and put me at ease before and during the treatment. I was well informed of my options prior to treatment taking place and aftercare was explained thoroughly too. Will definitely be revisiting soon.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
I am delighted with the subtle changes that have made such a difference to my face giving me so much more confidence. Dr Darren is one of the very best so I had total trust in what he was doing. Every member of staff make you feel at ease, they are all so lovely and friendly.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
From start to finish the team and Dr Darren were so welcoming and professional. Everything was explained clearly and the results are more than I could have hoped for.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
Made me feel really calm and relaxed and staff from reception and treatment room were so pleasant and very professional.
Dr Darren was amazing. Made me so comfortable and so so pleasant. Such a lovely guy! Highly recommend, absolutely delighted so far – although, as advised, a bit swollen! Thank you so much.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
Lovely friendly staff. Came out after treatment feeling so much better about my appearance. Dr Darren McKeown puts you at ease and gives you a wonderful boost. Thank you all.
A McKeown Medical patient March 2024
I have so much trust and faith in Dr Darren and I thank him dearly for all that he has done for me to improve my confidence.
A McKeown Medical patient September 2023
I saw Dr Rhona Cameron who I have seen before. She is very welcoming and has a lovely manner. She is easy to talk to and I am very pleased with the results.
A McKeown Medical patient November 2023
The whole experience was fabulous. My phone consultation was very knowledgeable and friendly and everyone in the office was so welcoming. I’ll definitely be back.
A McKeown Medical patient April 2024
The best place for the best advice and the best service. Friendly, knowledgeable and professional.
A McKeown Medical patient November 2023
From the moment I walked through the door I was treated so well by every member of staff, all so friendly and helpful. I received Halo and BBL I was a little nervous but Dr Rhona completely put my mind at rest.
After my treatments I was taken good care of and Dr Darren came and reassured me too which was an added bonus. I returned a few weeks later for my checkup and again was treated so well, Dr Darren remembered me which was lovely.
I am delighted with the results of my treatment I feel my skin looks so much fresher and this in turn has lifted my self esteem which had previously been at a low point. I highly recommend both these treatments and would not hesitate to return to Dr Darren’s Clinic in the future. Thank you to all again.
A McKeown Medical patient December 2023
It’s just a lovely clinic. Everyone is very professional and it feels very high end, so you know you’re in safe hands, but they’re also friendly, welcoming and warm which really matters when visiting as it helps you feel at ease & relaxed.
More about Jowls
Before, During, and After Jowls Treatments
Treating jowls well is a structured process. It begins with identifying the cause, moves through a treatment chosen specifically for that cause, and ends with a recovery planned around your life. The detail differs between the surgical and non-surgical routes, but the principle of careful assessment followed by a plan tailored to the individual anatomy is the same in both.
What to Expect Before Jowls Treatment
The consultation is where most of the thinking happens. Your face is assessed from several angles, in repose and in animation, so the dominant cause can be identified rather than assumed. Skin quality, volume distribution, and bone support are all considered before a treatment plan is recommended.
What To Expect During Jowls Treatment
Non-surgical treatment involves a sequence of precise dermal filler placements, planned in advance and adjusted as the result builds during the appointment. Surgery is carried out under deep sedation or local anaesthetic, with the deeper facial tissues repositioned and excess skin removed.
What To Expect After Jowls Treatment
Non-surgical recovery is brief. Mild swelling or bruising can occur and usually settles within a few days, and most patients return to normal activities straight away. Surgical recovery is more gradual, with the settled result developing across the months that follow as the deeper tissues settle and the contour refines.
Common Questions
Which anaesthetic is used?
For non-surgical jowl treatment with filler, topical numbing cream is applied to the area before treatment and most patients find the procedure very tolerable. Surgical facelift procedures at McKeown Medical are performed under local anaesthetic or deep sedation. The choice is tailored to patient preference and discussed in detail at consultation.
What's the downtime?
Non-surgical jowl treatment typically involves minimal downtime. Some patients experience mild swelling or bruising at the injection sites, which usually settles within a few days. Most return to normal activities the same day. Surgical facelift recovery is longer. Bruising and swelling peak around two to three days after surgery, and most patients feel comfortable returning to work after around two weeks.
When will I see results?
With non-surgical jowl treatment, an immediate improvement is visible at the end of the appointment, with the final result settling over two to four weeks once any swelling resolves. Surgical facelift results are visible immediately after the bandages are removed, but the final, settled result develops over several months. If you’re planning a facelift around a milestone event, we recommend booking the procedure four to six months ahead.
Will I lose my facial expression?
No. Both non-surgical filler treatment and surgical facelift, when performed correctly, preserve your natural expression entirely. The unnatural, “frozen” or “pulled” appearance some patients worry about is the result of poor technique, not the procedure itself. Our approach focuses on restoring volume and repositioning deeper tissue, neither of which restricts how your face moves or how you express yourself.
Where are jowls treated?
Jowls treatment is delivered at McKeown Medical, 167 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 4SQ. To find out if treatment is right for you, book a consultation today.
At what age do jowls usually start to appear?
Timing has less to do with age than with anatomy. Many patients first notice changes in their late thirties or early forties, though earlier and later presentations are both common. Genetics tend to set the timing more than the calendar does.
Can jowls be prevented?
Not entirely, because the underlying changes are anatomical. What can be done is to slow them. Addressing volume loss early, while the structure of the face is still mostly intact, tends to keep the lower face holding its shape for longer than waiting until the changes are fully formed.
Will jowls come back after treatment?
The face continues to change after any treatment, so some recurrence is expected. Non-surgical results are maintained with periodic top-ups. Surgical results last considerably longer, and patients who have had a deep plane facelift retain visible improvement even years later.
What is the difference between jowls and a double chin?
Jowls form when soft tissue descends from the mid-face along the jawline. A double chin sits beneath the jaw, where submental fat accumulates under the chin. They often appear together in photographs but are anatomically distinct problems, and each is treated differently.
Can significant weight loss cause jowls?
Yes, and the more rapid the loss, the more noticeable the effect tends to be. The fat pads that support the upper face lose volume alongside the rest of the body, and when that support disappears the skin and soft tissue descend along the jawline. This is one of the more common reasons patients in their forties and fifties seek treatment.
Your Expert Team
Founder & Medical Director
Dr Darren McKeown
Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.
Medical Director, Women's Health
Dr Rhona Cameron
Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Mr Russell Bramhall
Mr Russell Bramhall (GMC 6120528), MB ChB and FRCS(Plast), is a Specialist Registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon and BAAPS member. Trained in Harley Street alongside leading names in aesthetics, Russell is an indispensable part of our multidisciplinary team, enabling patients to seamlessly transition from minimally invasive procedures to surgical rejuvenation.
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Founder & Medical Director
Dr Darren McKeown
Dr Darren McKeown (GMC 6128508) is renowned for his expertise and artistry with dermal fillers. As a Full Member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM), the UK’s leading professional body for aesthetic medicine doctors, and a peer-reviewed medical author, he is passionate about treatments that stand up to scientific scrutiny. Above all, he genuinely cares about helping each patient feel their most confident, natural self.
Medical Director, Women's Health
Dr Rhona Cameron
Dr Rhona Cameron (GMC 6103281), Medical Director of Women’s Health at McKeown Medical and a University of Glasgow-trained GP, is a skilled injector extensively trained in Dr McKeown’s signature intuitive technique. Her treatments blend advanced facial optimisation with powerful, energy-based devices, such as lasers, BBL, and radio frequency, energising the appearance and enhancing skin health.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Mr Russell Bramhall
Mr Russell Bramhall (GMC 6120528), MB ChB and FRCS(Plast), is a Specialist Registered Consultant Plastic Surgeon and BAAPS member. Trained in Harley Street alongside leading names in aesthetics, Russell is an indispensable part of our multidisciplinary team, enabling patients to seamlessly transition from minimally invasive procedures to surgical rejuvenation.
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