A jawline that's softened, a chin that's less defined, a face that's changed shape in a way you can't quite pin down — it usually comes down to two separate things happening at once, which is why there are two separate answers.
The jawline you had at 30 was held up by three things: tight skin, full fat pads and strong bone. All three change with time. Skin loosens as collagen and elastin decline (the same process behind sagging everywhere). The fat pads that sit along the jaw shrink and descend, so the jawline loses its scaffolding. And bone slowly resorbs — the chin and jaw become slightly smaller over the decades.
So when a jawline softens, it's usually two processes at once: the skin is looser, and the volume beneath it is less. They're separate causes, which is why there are two separate answers.
Jawline changes are structural — loose skin and lost volume. Creams hydrate the surface and can improve skin quality, but they cannot tighten loose skin and they cannot replace lost volume. A jawline that's softened because the scaffolding beneath it has changed needs something that addresses the scaffolding, not the surface.
How we treat it
HIFU lifts loose skin. Dermal fillers restore lost volume. Which you need — or both — depends on what's actually going on with your jawline.
For loose skin. Focused ultrasound reaches the deep support layer to trigger collagen and lift the jawline gradually over 2–3 months. From £350.
How HIFU worksFor lost volume. Hyaluronic acid gel placed precisely along the jawline and chin restores definition and shape — results visible immediately, refining over 2 weeks. From £250 per area.
How dermal fillers workA jawline that's softened is usually losing two things at once: tight skin and supporting volume. HIFU addresses the skin — focused ultrasound reaches the SMAS, the deep support layer that a surgical lift tightens, and triggers new collagen to lift and tighten. Dermal fillers address the volume — hyaluronic acid gel placed along the jawline and chin rebuilds the scaffolding that's been lost, restoring definition and shape.
These are two separate processes, which is why there are two separate answers. If the skin is loose but volume is fine, HIFU alone may be enough. If volume is lost but skin is tight, fillers alone may be right. If both are happening — which is common — a combined plan using both, sequenced so each does its job without interfering, gives the best result. Anne or Georgie will tell you honestly at consultation which applies to you.
A free consultation first — we'll look at your jawline, assess whether the issue is skin laxity, volume loss, or both, and give you an honest plan. HIFU takes 30 to 60 minutes: focused ultrasound is delivered in precise points along the jawline and neck, with no downtime. Filler takes 30 to 45 minutes: the gel is placed with a fine needle or cannula, with some swelling and possible bruising for a few days.
HIFU results build over 2 to 3 months as new collagen forms. Filler results are visible immediately and refine over 2 weeks as the gel settles. Fillers last 12 to 18 months; HIFU lasts about 12 months. If both are needed, they're usually sequenced a few weeks apart so each can be assessed independently.
HIFU and fillers together can transform a softened jawline — restoring definition and lift without surgery. The key is that the result looks like you, just clearer. But if skin is very loose or significantly excess, HIFU may not be enough, and we'll say so. If volume loss is severe, fillers can restore shape but won't mimic a surgical result. The point of a consultation is to tell you honestly what will and won't work for your face — before you spend anything.
HIFU tightens the deep tissue and dermal fillers restore the volume that's been lost, giving the jawline a firmer, more defined contour. Many clients benefit from both.
Two things: skin laxity (the skin loosens and sags) and volume loss (the fat pads and bone that hold the jawline shrink with age). HIFU addresses the first, dermal fillers address the second.
Jawline fillers typically last 12 to 18 months, depending on the product and your metabolism. HIFU results last about 12 months.
Yes — they address different causes. HIFU lifts loose skin; fillers restore lost volume. A full jawline plan may use both, sequenced so each does its job without interfering with the other.
Book a free consultation. We'll assess what's actually going on and give you an honest plan — HIFU, fillers, both, or sometimes neither if another route suits you better.
Book a free consultation