Sagging of the facial oval is one of the first consequences of skin aging. In some patients, this sagging can be combined with and worsened by the presence of localized fat pockets around the jowls, neck or chin (commonly known as a "double chin"). CoolMini cryolipolysis is a treatment indicated for people who wish to remove localized facial fat deposits while benefiting from a tightening and lifting effect.
Sagging of the facial oval and facial fat
With age, there is a loss of definition of the facial oval due to reduced skin hydration (which loses elasticity) and ptosis ("sagging") of tissues that are increasingly affected by gravity.
The presence of localized fat deposits is a factor that contributes to sagging of the facial oval. This excess fat in the face also amplifies the effects of aging: the face loses its contours, becomes more "square" and takes on a "tired" appearance.
Localized facial fat
These localized excess fat deposits, these fat pockets, are smaller in volume than in other parts of the body. Nonetheless, these fat pockets remain particularly visible due to the anatomical characteristics of the face (notably the thinness of the skin).
What are jowls?
Among the signs of facial oval sagging that are amplified by the presence of localized fat deposits are jowls.
The term "jowls" refers to the more or less saggy part located below the cheeks and on either side of the chin. This is not only a part of the face particularly affected by tissue ptosis, but also a part of the face where fat tends to be stored. The neck and cheeks are indeed the two areas of the face most prone to storing fat, whether in the form of a double chin or more or less lax jowls.
Removing jowls with CoolMini cryolipolysis
What is cryolipolysis?
Cryolipolysis is an aesthetic medicine technique that permanently removes localized fat deposits. Cryolipolysis uses the destructive action of cold on fat cells to remove fatty tissue.
The advantage of cryolipolysis over other fat-removal techniques (liposuction, lipoplasty) lies in the fact that it is a non-invasive procedure, meaning no scarring and no anesthesia.
A cryolipolysis session is performed at the surgeon's practice. While an intense cold sensation is felt at the start of the session, the action of the cold quickly numbs the skin and the session is completely painless. Daily activities can resume immediately after the treatment.
CoolMini specifics
CoolMini is a handpiece for the Coolsculpting cryolipolysis device that treats small areas of the body such as the neck and chin. CoolMini is particularly effective for removing a double chin.
Since the fat cells damaged by the cold's action are gradually eliminated by the body, the result is not visible immediately after the procedure. The reduction of the double chin is observed starting at 2 to 3 weeks, and the result can be considered final after 10 to 12 weeks.
Result on jowls
The result of CoolMini on localized facial fat deposits is long-lasting, since the fat cells destroyed by the cold's action are permanently removed. However, maintaining good dietary habits is necessary to sustain the result.
A second cryolipolysis session may be necessary to achieve an optimal result in removing a double chin. The two cryolipolysis sessions are then spaced about 6 weeks apart.
While cryolipolysis effectively reduces excess fat around the chin, a cosmetic surgery procedure may be more suitable if the neck tissues are particularly lax.
> Learn more about cryolipolysis with Coolsculpting
> Removing localized fat around the neck and chin with CoolMini
Other techniques for removing jowls?
There are other techniques for removing localized facial fat such as jowls or a double chin. Liposuction and, more specifically, submental liposuction, also effectively removes excess fat around the cheeks and chin. These treatments achieve a final result (as long as there is no weight regain).
Non-surgical treatments
Dr. Kron tends to favor CoolMini over submental liposuction, as it is an aesthetic medicine treatment that requires no hospitalization, no anesthesia, and no recovery or healing time. He uses liposuction in combined procedures, such as a facelift (LVPA type).
Face Diagnostic Consultation
To find out whether you are a good candidate for a CoolMini facial treatment, you can book a face diagnostic pre-consultation (free of charge). During this appointment, you will be offered an assessment of your facial condition and a description of the different treatment options available based on your expectations.
If the jowls are not too pronounced and are caused less by localized fat pockets than by laxity, hyaluronic acid injections or thread lifts may be suitable treatments for redefining the facial oval.
What about a facelift?
If the fat around the jowls and double chin is accompanied by significant skin laxity, a facelift (LVPA type) will be more suitable than an aesthetic medicine treatment.
A neck lift (or skin-and-muscle platysmaplasty) aims to fight the signs of time by redraping the lax skin and muscles of the neck. While it can be performed on its own to treat very localized neck laxity, it can also be combined with the LVPA facelift technique to achieve a very significant and lasting rejuvenation of the facial oval.
Photonic light achieves a tightening effect on the facial skin, but this effect is not sufficient to re-tension the skin in cases of significant skin laxity (excess skin that needs to be removed).
A facelift combined with lipoplasty (fat removal) achieves a more significant result for this type of indication. Dr. Kron notably developed the LVPA facelift technique, which deeply corrects the effects of facial aging by redraping the skin and re-tensioning the muscular fascia of the facial oval. This lift technique offers the benefit of a significant and lasting result, with very limited recovery and virtually invisible scars (hidden in the hairline and within the ears).
Before – After: Removing jowls and a double chin
