Short answer: Jowls are the soft pouches that form along the jawline when the skin and deeper tissue of the lower face lose firmness and settle downward. Skincare can improve skin texture but cannot lift tissue. At-home radiofrequency (RF) devices are designed for mild laxity and work gradually with consistent use. Noticeable jowls usually respond best to in-clinic treatments, and significant sagging to surgery. Below is an honest look at each option.
What jowls are, and why they form
Jowls are not a skin problem alone. They develop when several layers of the lower face change at once:
- Collagen and elastin break down. The American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery notes that aging, weight fluctuations and sun exposure all contribute to this breakdown, which leads to the laxity behind jowls.
- Supporting ligaments loosen and fat shifts downward. A 2024 anatomical review of the mid-face describes ligaments losing resilience with age, contributing to sagging of skin and fat, and the anterior buccal fat pad sagging downward.
- Habits speed it up. Sun exposure, smoking and weight fluctuations are the modifiable factors the ASLMS and the AAD name.
Because jowls involve skin, fat and ligaments together, no single at-home step addresses all of them, and the right choice depends on how much sagging you have.
What you can do at home
1. Protect what you have
Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher), not smoking, and avoiding big swings in weight will not lift existing jowls, but they slow further loss of collagen and elastin. The AAD also lists sun protection, a healthy weight and not smoking among the things that make someone a good candidate for skin-tightening treatments.
2. Use a retinoid for skin quality
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) says a retinoid can help the body make more collagen. That can improve skin texture and fine lines. It is still a skin-level change: the AAD is clear that a cream or lotion cannot penetrate deeply enough to tighten sagging skin, and that results from firming creams are subtle at best.
3. At-home radiofrequency
Radiofrequency delivers energy that gently heats the deeper layers of the skin, which prompts the skin to build new collagen over the following months. In-office RF is one of the standard non-surgical options for jowls, and the ASDS lists the jowls among the areas treated with non-invasive tightening. At-home devices use a similar principle at lower power, so they need regular sessions rather than one treatment.
What the evidence supports, and where it stops:
- Home-use RF studies have mainly measured wrinkle improvement, not jowl lift. In one 2014 study of a handheld RF device, 62 people completed four weeks of use at least five times a week, and three independent reviewers graded wrinkles as improved in 92 to 98 percent of them. No control group was described, and the authors were affiliated with the device's manufacturer.
- Laxity itself has only been measured with clinic devices. A 2013 open-label multicenter study of a needle-based RF system reported a mean 24 percent improvement in a laxity score among the 42 people assessed at six months, a different category of treatment from a home device.
- A 2022 systematic review of RF for face and neck rejuvenation found improved laxity and elasticity across the studies it included, but it excluded home-use devices entirely.
In our view, an at-home RF device is a reasonable option for early softening along the jaw, used two to five or more times a week for 4 to 12 weeks, with the caveat that home-use studies measured wrinkles rather than lift. It is not a fix for established jowls. If you already have folds you can lift with a finger, skip to the clinic section.
4. Microcurrent
Microcurrent devices send a very low current through the skin and are marketed for a temporary lifted look. Our guide to radiofrequency and microcurrent skin tightening compares the two and explains why we consider microcurrent's benefits for sagging largely unproven.
What does not work
- Firming creams. Per the AAD, they cannot reach deep enough to tighten. A good moisturizer plumps the surface temporarily.
- Face exercises and jaw trainers. We did not find research in the sources we reviewed showing they reduce jowls, and anatomical studies of the nasolabial fold link repeated muscle pull to a deeper fold, not a firmer one.
- Pressing harder or using a device longer than directed. RF results depend on reaching a controlled temperature for the directed time; pressing harder or running longer adds risk, not results.
How to use an at-home RF device on the jawline
- Cleanse and dry the skin. Remove makeup, sunscreen and oils so the device makes even contact.
- Apply a generous layer of conductive gel to one side of the jaw. Reapply as soon as the device stops gliding.
- Start on the lowest energy level. Only move up if the warmth stays comfortable.
- Glide slowly upward and outward from the chin toward the ear, keeping the device moving. Do not hold it in one spot.
- Treat the other side, then follow your manual for total session length. Nebulyft sessions are about 10 minutes.
- Remove the gel, moisturize, and use sunscreen in the morning.
Stop and contact a healthcare provider if you notice blistering, lasting redness or a burning sensation. RF is not for everyone: skip it if you have a pacemaker or other implanted electronic device, are pregnant, have metal implants, open wounds, active acne or cold sores in the area, have a bleeding disorder or take blood thinners, or have used isotretinoin in the past six months. Check with a dermatologist first if you have a deeper skin tone (Fitzpatrick V–VI) or recent fillers, injectables, peels or laser treatments. The full list is in our guide to RF and microcurrent skin tightening.
Where Nebulyft fits
The Nebulyft R1 and Nebulyft R2 are multipolar RF devices with a set operating temperature of 107.6°F (42°C), temperature monitoring and about 10-minute sessions. The R2 has five energy levels so you can start low. Both are used with Nebulyft Botanical Gel. They are suited to mild laxity and to keeping up a routine, not to replacing a dermatologist's treatment for pronounced jowls.
When to see a dermatologist
If your jowls are visible at rest, in-clinic options are the ones with evidence for lifting. Here is what the AAD says to expect from each:
| Option | What to expect | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| In-office radiofrequency | Usually one treatment, some tightening right away, best results in about 6 months, lasting 2 to 3 years with good skin care (AAD) | A small amount of sagging skin (AAD) |
| Ultrasound tightening | Modest lifting within 2 to 6 months after one treatment (AAD) | A small amount of sagging skin (AAD) |
| Minimally invasive RF (needles) | Results in about a month, gradual tightening for close to a year, several days of downtime (AAD) | A small amount of sagging skin, with several days of downtime (AAD) |
| Surgical lift | The most dramatic results; the AAD notes minimally invasive options cannot give the results of surgery | Significant sagging |
The ASDS adds that non-invasive tightening can take at least three to six months to show its effect, and the number of sessions varies by device and patient. The AAD also notes that people with a lot of sagging skin may not benefit from non-surgical tightening at all, which is why a consultation is worth having before spending on any device or procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get rid of jowls without surgery?
You can soften them. Non-surgical treatments such as in-office RF and ultrasound produce modest lifting over months, and at-home RF is intended for early laxity, although the home-use studies we found measured wrinkles rather than lift. Only surgery removes significant sagging.
How long does at-home RF take to show results on the jawline?
Home RF studies asked people to use their device two to five or more times a week for 4 to 12 weeks, and dermatology societies note that collagen remodeling takes months. Expect gradual change, and photograph your jawline in the same light every few weeks to judge it fairly.
Do jowls come back after treatment?
Aging continues, so maintenance matters. The AAD puts in-office RF results at two to three years with good skin care; at-home devices are typically used on an ongoing schedule.
Can I use an RF device if I have had fillers in my jawline?
Ask the practitioner who treated you first. Our safety guide lists recent fillers, injectables, peels and laser treatments as reasons to check with a dermatologist before using RF.
What is the best device for jowls?
For visible jowls, the most effective devices are the ones used in a dermatologist's office. For early softening, choose an at-home RF device with temperature control and a clear manual, and plan to use it consistently.
Related guides
- Radiofrequency and microcurrent skin tightening: how it works and what to expect at home
- How to tighten neck skin at home: a realistic guide
- Nasolabial folds: why smile lines deepen and what actually helps
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology. Many ways to firm sagging skin.
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery. Non-invasive skin tightening treatments.
- American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. Skin tightening.
- Hong GW, et al. Why do nasolabial folds appear? Exploring the anatomical perspectives and the role of thread-based interventions. Diagnostics. 2024;14(7):716.
- Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency for face and neck rejuvenation: a systematic review. Lasers Surg Med. 2022;54(1):27-45.
- Prospective multicenter clinical trial of a minimally invasive temperature-controlled bipolar fractional radiofrequency system for rhytid and laxity treatment. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(2):263-273.
- Sadick NS, et al. Home-based wrinkle reduction using a novel handheld multisource phase-controlled radiofrequency device. J Drugs Dermatol. 2014;13(11):1342-1347.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. The studies cited did not test Nebulyft devices, and results vary from person to person. See a board-certified dermatologist for advice about your skin.
