How to Get a Better Jawline
We all admire a sharp, defined jawline – it frames the face and exudes confidence. So, how can you actually get a better jawline? In this guide, I’ll discuss the factors that affect your jawline shape, debunk common myths (hint: not all those “jawline exercises” do what they promise), and explore proven options – from non-surgical quick fixes to advanced surgical procedures – to help you achieve the chiseled look you’re after. By the end, you’ll know what really works for jawline definition, and be ready to take the next step toward your jawline goals. Let’s get started!
What Influences Your Jawline Shape and Definition?
Your jawline’s appearance isn’t determined by a single thing – it’s a combination of several physical factors. Understanding these will help you see why some people have a naturally sharp jaw, while others have a softer outline.
Key factors include:
Bone Structure:
The foundation of your jawline is your jaw bone (mandible) and chin. The size, width, and shape of these bones are largely genetic. For example, someone with a larger, well-defined mandible and a forward-projecting chin will have a naturally stronger jawline. On the other hand, if the chin is set back or the jaw is narrow, the jawline will look less defined.
Skin Quality & Laxity:
The tightness of your skin plays a big role. Firm, elastic skin will cling snugly to the jaw, showing off the jaw’s shape. But as we age (or after weight changes), skin can become looser or saggy. Sagging skin can create jowls or a “turkey neck” that blurs the jawline. In short, youthful tight skin = sharper jawline, while loose skin = softer jawline.
Fat Distribution:
Even if your bone structure is great, excess fat can hide it. Fat under the chin (submental fat) or along the jaw can create a double chin or a less distinct jawline. Where your body stores fat is genetic, but weight gain can increase fullness in the neck/jaw area. Conversely, very low fat can make the jawline more prominent (sometimes too gaunt). There’s also a specific fat pad in the lower cheeks – the buccal fat pad – that, when large, can make the lower face look chubbier and the jawline less defined. Removing this buccal fat can highlight the hollows between the cheeks and jaw, enhancing facial contours.
Muscle Bulk & Positioning:
The jawline is flanked by muscles – notably the masseter muscles at the jaw angles (used for chewing) and various small muscles under the chin. If the masseter muscles are very bulky or overdeveloped (sometimes from teeth grinding or genetics), they can give a wider, more square jaw shape. If they’re small, the jaw may look narrower. Additionally, neck muscles (like the platysma and digastric muscles) can become loose or thick and contribute to neck bands or fullness that affect the jawline. Even tongue posture and habits like mouth-breathing in childhood can influence how the jaw grows. In essence, strong defined jaw muscles aren’t what create a visible jawline – it’s more about balanced muscle size and tight positioning.
Each of these factors – bone, skin, fat, and muscle – can be different for everyone. That’s why getting a better jawline often means addressing the specific issue that’s affecting your jawline. For instance, if you have a small chin bone, building bone structure (with surgery or fillers) might help. If you have great bone structure but a bit of a double chin, fat reduction might be the key. Often, a combination approach works best.
Jaw Development and Mouth Breathing in Childhood
It might sound unrelated, but the way a person breathes during childhood – through the nose vs. the mouth – can actually impact how their jaw and lower face develop.
Why would breathing matter for facial growth? When kids mouth-breathe, their tongue tends to rest low in the mouth. Over years, this can affect the development of the palate and jaw. Children who breathe primarily through their mouth often develop a narrow face, a recessed chin or jaw, and misaligned teeth. Essentially, the lower jaw may grow downward and backward a bit more, leading to a weaker jawline and chin. The upper jaw can also be narrower, which sometimes makes the lower face look longer and less defined.
In adults, changing the way you breathe won’t change the shape of your jawline, but just be aware that a receding chin or weaker jawline could have roots in how our jaw grew – and if so, the most effective fixes may involve structural changes (like implants or surgery) rather than just surface treatments.
Now, let’s switch gears to a hot topic you’ve probably seen on social media: jawline exercises and those chewable jaw trainers. Do they work? Let’s investigate.
Enhancing the Jawline: Bone-Targeted Solutions
If your jawline is weak primarily due to the underlying bone structure (for example, a small chin or a very narrow mandible), then enhancing or reshaping the bones can make a dramatic difference. These tend to be more invasive options, but they directly change the foundation of your jawline. Here are the main bone-related jawline procedures:
Jaw Contouring Surgery (Mandible Reduction or Reshaping):
This is a surgical procedure aimed at altering the shape of your jawbone itself. If someone has a very wide or angular jaw they want softened (commonly desired in facial feminization or to reduce an overly square jaw), a surgeon can remove or shave down parts of the jawbone. Typically, bone is removed to create a smoother, narrower jawline. This can slim the lower face. Jaw contouring surgery is done through incisions inside the mouth or sometimes at the lower face; it requires significant healing time (weeks) but can permanently change face shape.
Orthognathic Surgery (Jaw Realignment Surgery):
“Orthognathic” means straightening the jaw. This is often done in cases of bite misalignment (overbite, underbite) and involves cutting the jaw bones and moving them into a new position. While its primary goal can be functional (helping your teeth fit together), it also dramatically changes the jawline shape and profile. For instance, moving a receding lower jaw forward will create a stronger jawline and chin. This is major surgery done by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, usually with braces involved, etc. It’s not purely cosmetic, but if you have a significant jaw position issue, fixing it can be life-changing for your appearance (and bite!). Think of it as repositioning the entire jaw framework – a big deal, but the results can be equally big.
Sliding Genioplasty (Chin Osteotomy):
This is a surgical chin enhancement using your own bone. If your chin is set back or small, a sliding genioplasty can help. The surgeon makes a cut in the chin bone (inside the mouth), and literally slides the lower portion of the chin forward (or sometimes adjusts its height/width). The bone is then fixed in its new position with plates/screws. This increases chin projection, which can sharpen the jawline profile.
Unlike a chin implant, genioplasty moves bone, so it can also correct a vertically short chin or even widen/narrow the chin as needed. It’s very versatile and reshapes the chin in multiple dimensions. Recovery involves some swelling and feeling in the chin can be numb for a while. Genioplasty is great for moderate to severe chin deficiencies, and it becomes a permanent part of you (no implant needed). Many patients like that it uses their own bone for a natural result.
Jaw Implants (Chin and Mandible Implants):
Implants are a less invasive way to add structure if you have a weak jawline. The most common is a chin implant – a silicone or porous implant that is surgically placed on the chin bone to increase its projection. Chin implants are quite straightforward: a small incision under the chin or inside the mouth, create a pocket, insert implant, done. It’s a quick fix to enhance a weak chin.
For jawline definition, there are also mandibular angle implants that sit at the back of the jaw (by the ears) to widen the jawline or give stronger, more angular corners. If your jaw is too narrow or tapered, implants at the angles can add width and a sharper outline. Implants come in various sizes; some are even custom-made. They provide immediate and significant changes in jaw shape, with relatively short surgery/recovery (about a week downtime).
Downsides: implants can shift or, rarely, get infected, and they only add volume – they don’t reduce anything. But in experienced hands, they are safe and effective. If someone wants a more pronounced jawline (stronger chin or a “superhero” jaw angle), implants are often the go-to. In fact, jaw enhancement surgery often combines a chin implant with other work to keep the face balanced.
Dermal Fillers Along the Jaw (Non-Surgical “Implants”):
If surgery sounds too intense, fillers can mimic the effects of implants to a degree. Special thicker fillers (like Radiesse, a calcium-based filler) are excellent for jawline contouring. They can be injected along the jawline and chin to build up definition in a quick office visit. I personally prefer Radiesse for jawline filler, because it’s sturdy and long-lasting. In fact, Radiesse is FDA-approved to improve jawline contour. It provides immediate structure by adding volume and also stimulates collagen for longer-term improvement.
Fillers are great for minor to moderate enhancements: for example, camouflaging a mild jowl by the jawline, sharpening the chin, or creating a straighter jawline from chin to ear. The procedure takes about 30 minutes with numbing, and results are seen right away. Depending on the filler, results last 1 to 2 years.
The upside: no surgery, no significant downtime – maybe just a bit of swelling or tenderness. The downside: it’s temporary and can be costly to maintain long-term. But filler is a fantastic way to “preview” a more defined jaw or for those who only need a subtle tweak. By strategically adding volume at the mandibular angles and chin, fillers can make the jawline look more defined and even make a round face appear more oval.
Now, improving the jawline isn’t just about bone. Maybe your bone structure is fine, but it’s hidden under a bit of fullness or loose skin. Let’s talk about the soft tissue side: reducing fat and tightening skin for a crisper jaw.
Reducing Fat and Tightening Skin for a Chiseled Jawline
Many people’s main complaint about their jawline is a “double chin” or a lack of definition due to extra tissue under the jaw. Others might have jowls – little droops of fat/skin that hang below the jaw bone, blurring that clean jaw contour. If this sounds like you, the good news is there are several procedures (surgical and minimally invasive) to address fat and skin in the lower face and neck area:
Buccal Fat Pad Removal:
We touched on this earlier – it’s the procedure to remove the fat pads in the lower cheeks. While it’s primarily thought of for slimming the cheeks (to get that hollowed-out model-esque cheekbone look), buccal fat removal also indirectly enhances the jawline. By taking out that internal cheek fat, the transition from cheek to jaw becomes more concave, making the jaw border stand out more.
The surgery is straightforward: a small incision inside the mouth, gently tease out the fat pad and cut it away. It can be done under local anesthesia. The result is more defined cheekbones and a leaner lower face – basically, less of the “chubby cheeks” that hide jaw contour. It’s great for younger patients with naturally round faces.
FaceTite (Radiofrequency Liposuction):
FaceTite is an exciting minimally invasive procedure that does double duty: it melts fat and tightens skin using radiofrequency energy. Think of it as a step between lipo and a surgical lift. During FaceTite, after numbing, a tiny probe is inserted under the skin. It emits radiofrequency (RF) waves that gently heat the fat and connective tissue. The heat causes fat to liquefy (which is then suctioned out) and also triggers collagen contraction and new collagen production, which tightens the skin. It’s particularly good along the jawline and under chin for people with mild to moderate skin laxity who aren’t ready for a facelift.
The radiofrequency-assisted liposuction can significantly improve jawline definition by both reducing fat and firming the jawline skin. Downtime is minimal – usually some swelling/bruising for a week or so, but no large incisions (just needle entry points). Over the months after FaceTite, you’ll see the skin get firmer as collagen builds. It’s not as dramatic as a surgical lift (nothing is quite like a facelift/neck lift for skin tightening), but it’s a nice less-invasive option.
I often combine FaceTite with a bit of liposuction or with Morpheus8 microneedling RF for even more skin tightening. The ideal candidate is someone in their 20s to 30s with some jowl or under-chin fat and mild sagging. In the right person, FaceTite can create a notably more contoured jawline and smoother neck without the scars of surgery.
The Structural Neck Lift – The Ultimate Jawline Makeover
If you’re really serious about achieving a dramatically better jawline, especially if you’re older or have a lot of skin laxity and excess tissue, a structural neck lift is the powerhouse procedure. I call it “structural” because it’s more than a skin-only lift; it addresses the deeper structures in the neck to truly reshape the jaw-neck angle. This procedure is sometimes also called a deep neck lift or extended neck lift. Let me break down what it involves and why it’s the most comprehensive solution for jawline definition:
1. Deep Tissue Debulking:
In a structural neck lift, we go beyond the surface. Through incisions (usually hidden around the ears and sometimes a small one under the chin), I access the deeper neck. One thing we often do is remove or trim excess deep fat and even a portion of muscles under the chin. For example, some people have very bulky digastric muscles (part of the musculature under the chin) – those can be thinned out (“debulked”) to reduce fullness. There’s also a pocket of fat beneath the platysma muscle that can be removed. By clearing out this extra volume beneath the jaw, we’re creating a lean, sculpted under-jaw area.
2. Platysma Muscle Tightening (Corset Plasty):
The platysma is a sheet-like muscle that spans the neck; with age it often separates into two cords (bands under the chin) and gets loose. In a structural neck lift, I literally sew the left and right platysma muscles together in the midline, from the chin down to the Adam’s apple area – this is often called a platysmaplasty or corset suturing.
Imagine tightening a corset – it pulls the neck muscles together, creating a firm support for the chin and jawline, and eliminating those neck bands. This maneuver sharply defines the transition from the under-chin to the neck. It’s like internally “snatching” the neck.
3. Jawline Definition Sutures:
In addition to the midline muscle repair, I also focus on securing the jawline at the sides. One advanced technique I use is something called the mastoid crevasse stitch. This is a special suture placed deep near the mastoid (which is the bony area behind your ear) that hitches up and secures the fascia and platysma along the jawline. By doing this, I can create a really crisp angle at the back of the jaw – basically emphasizing that mandibular angle that gives you a nice right angle jawline.
4. Skin Removal and Redraping:
Of course, we also remove the excess skin – after all the underlying work is done, the skin is pulled up and any extra is trimmed away around the ears. This way, we get rid of sagging jowls and neck skin. The incisions are placed in natural creases around the ear and sometimes a tiny one under the chin, so they heal inconspicuously. The result is a smooth, tight jawline and neck.
5. Submandibular Gland Contouring:
Remember those pesky salivary glands under the jaw that we mentioned? In some patients, the submandibular glands (located just below the jaw on either side) are large or droopy enough to bulge and blunt the jawline. During a structural neck lift, if needed, I can carefully trim or reduce part of these glands to prevent any bulge.
Only a handful of surgeons do this because it’s delicate (the glands produce saliva and there are nerves nearby), but in experienced hands it’s safe – and it can make a big difference for jawline sharpness. Removing that bulge ensures nothing is hiding the angle of the jaw.
Studies and experience have shown that contouring the submandibular glands can significantly refine the jawline without affecting saliva production. I perform this selectively – only when those glands are truly contributing to fullness – but it’s a powerful tool for the ultimate neck/jaw refinement.
6. Combinations:
A structural neck lift can also be combined with other procedures based on individual needs. For instance, some patients do a chin implant or genioplasty at the same time to enhance chin projection (since a tight neck without a chin can still look receded – we want both the projection and the tightness).
In summary, a structural neck lift is the ultimate answer to “how to get a better jawline” when less invasive measures won’t cut it. It removes fat, tightens muscle, trims glands, and snips away loose skin – all to carve out the best jawline your anatomy can achieve. It’s the “all of the above” approach and truly can transform your jawline from every angle.
Ready to Define Your Jawline?
If you’re serious about improving your jawline, the best step is to schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Saxon. During a consult, we will examine your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and then we’ll come up with a game plan together. It might involve one procedure or a staged approach. We’ll also go over details like recovery time, risks, and expected outcomes, so you feel fully informed.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all. Two people with “weak jawlines” might need completely different treatments to get the result they want. By meeting in person (or via a virtual consult) we can tailor the approach specifically to you.
My offices are in Austin and Dallas, TX, so if you’re in the area (or even if you’d like to fly in), I’d be delighted to assess your jawline and neck and guide you on the options. My goal is always a natural but impactful result – a jawline that looks like you were born with it, not something obviously artificial.
Feel free to reach out for a consultation and take the first step toward the chiseled jawline you’ve been dreaming about. Your future selfies might just thank you!
You May Also Like:
About the Author
Dr. Sarah Saxon
Dr. Sarah Saxon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive procedures of the face and neck. With an artist’s eye and a surgeon’s skill, she dedicated over a decade to mastering the craft of facial aesthetics. Dr. Saxon’s extensive training includes four years of medical school followed by a five-year residency in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, and an elite fellowship in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery under a world-renowned mentor. A former faculty member at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, she has taught the next generation of surgeons and published research in the field.
