What Causes Jowls and How Can Botox® or Dermal Fillers Help?

July 5, 2026

Jowls are an area of loose skin and soft tissue that develop along the lower face and jawline. As we age, the jawline can lose its definition, causing sagging skin and fat to create a heavier appearance.

Jowls develop for several reasons. One of the biggest factors is the natural loss of collagen and elastin, which causes the skin to become thinner, less firm, and less resilient over time. At the same time, the fat pads that once provided youthful volume in the cheeks gradually descend due to gravity, creating fullness in the lower face. Aging also causes the jawbone to slowly lose volume and projection, reducing structural support for the overlying tissues. Together, these changes contribute to sagging along the jawline and the formation of jowls.

Fortunately, jowls can often be improved without surgery using Botox® or dermal fillers, depending on your anatomy and aesthetic goals.

A Nefertiti Lift uses strategically placed Botox® injections along the jawline and into the platysma muscles of the neck. By relaxing the muscles that pull the lower face downward, Botox® allows the opposing facial muscles to create a subtle lifting effect, resulting in a smoother neck and a more defined jawline. This treatment is ideal for patients with early signs of jowling or mild skin laxity.

For patients experiencing more significant volume loss or seeking longer-lasting improvement, dermal fillers may be recommended. Filler is often placed in the cheeks to restore lost midface support. Additional filler can be used along the jawline and chin to enhance definition, improve facial balance, and camouflage the appearance of jowls. By addressing the underlying causes of facial aging rather than simply filling the jowls themselves, dermal fillers can create natural-looking, refreshed results.

Can Botox® Help Improve the Appearance of Scars?

July 7, 2026

When most people think of Botox®, they think of smoothing wrinkles and preventing fine lines. However, emerging research suggests that Botox® may have another exciting use. A recent study from the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal suggests that Botox® may improve scar healing by reducing wound tension and inflammation.

Botox® may improve scar healing in two primary ways:

    1. Reduces Tension on the Healing Wound

Every time facial muscles move, whether you're smiling, frowning, or raising your eyebrows, they create tension on the skin. If a healing incision is located over an active muscle, this repeated movement can pull on the wound, increasing the likelihood of a wider or more noticeable scar.

By temporarily relaxing the surrounding muscles, Botox® decreases this tension, allowing the wound edges to remain more stable during the critical healing period.



    2. May Reduce Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal part of the healing process, but excessive inflammation can contribute to thicker or more prominent scars.

Research suggests Botox® may help modulate the inflammatory response, creating a more favorable environment for healing and potentially leading to smoother, finer scars.

Patients who have received Botox® for the appearance of their scar have reported improved scar quality, narrower scars, and greater satisfaction overall.

While the use of Botox® is off-label (meaning it is not FDA-approved), it is important to talk to your injector to see whether this treatment is right for you.

What Is PRP? A Simple Scientific Explanation

July 15, 2026

What is PRP?

PRP, simply means Platelet-Rich Plasma. It is a regenerative treatment that uses your own blood to help your body repair and renew itself. Rather than adding volume like fillers or relaxing muscles like Botox^®, PRP works by stimulating your body's natural healing process. The goal is to improve the quality of your skin and hair over time by encouraging your body to produce more collagen and healthy tissue.

Most people know platelets as the cells that help stop bleeding when you get a cut, but platelets do much more than that.

They contain hundreds of proteins called growth factors, which act like chemical messengers. When your body is injured, these growth factors tell nearby cells to begin repairing the damaged tissue. They help build new blood vessels, produce collagen, and create healthy new tissue.

PRP simply concentrates these healing platelets and places them exactly where they're needed. Since PRP comes from your own blood, there's virtually no risk of an allergic reaction or rejection.

How is PRP made?

First, a small sample of blood is taken from your arm, much like having routine blood work done.

That blood is then placed into a machine called a centrifuge, which separates it into different layers based on weight. One of those layers contains a much higher concentration of platelets than normal blood. This layer is yellow/gold in color and is injected or applied to the treatment area.

How Does PRP Work?

PRP works by delivering a concentrated dose of your body's own healing proteins directly where they're needed.

The growth factors released by platelets help:

• Stimulate collagen production
• Increase elastin formation
• Improve tissue repair
• Encourage new blood vessel growth
• Support healthier skin cells
• Reduce inflammation

Instead of producing instant results, PRP gradually improves the treated area by activating your body's natural regenerative processes.

Benefits of PRP:

Patients often choose PRP because it's:

• Natural and minimally invasive
• Made from your own blood
• Safe with minimal risk of allergic reaction
• Able to improve skin quality rather than simply masking aging
• Suitable for multiple treatment areas
• Associated with little downtime

Why doesn't PRP work immediately?

Unlike dermal fillers, which add volume the day they're injected, PRP relies on your body's own biology.

After treatment, your body needs time to:

• Activate healing cells
• Produce new collagen
• Improve blood flow
• Remodel the skin

Most patients begin noticing improvements after 4-6 weeks, with continued improvement over the next several months.