I Tried Jawline Filler for a More Sculpted Face—Here's How it Went Down

Personally, I’ve always fallen into the camp that believes getting Botox, filler, and other in-office treatments can be empowering. There shouldn't be any stigma around talking about the "work" you’ve had done. That said, I never thought fillers were something I'd consider for myself. In my mind, fillers were for people who wanted to add more volume to areas of their faces. My round, orb-shaped face was doing just fine in that regard, thanks. 

So imagine my surprise when I learned that a slimmer, more defined jawline could be mine by simply adding filler. Read on to learn more about jawline filler, with input from board-certified facial plastic surgeon Jennifer Levine, MD, and for the details of my appointment with Lauren Pack, RN.

What Is Jawline Filler?

"Jawline filler defines the jawline and chin," says Levine. "It gives definition and structure to the lower part of the face." Injectable dermal fillers are used to contour the shape of the jawline. "Usually, higher G’ [firmer] fillers that are denser are used to treat the jawline, such as Radiesse, Volux, Voluma, and Lyft," explains Levine. "These fillers are more structural and mimic bone."

Filler functions similarly to wearing red lipstick to make your teeth look whiter: By tricking the eye. "Your neck and jawline will look more defined if you have more of a distinction between face to neck," notes Pack. "Filler is what replaces bone, and bone is what gives a more contoured or slimmer look."

Benefits of Jawline Filler

• Increased volume

• More defined neck

• Slimmer jawline

"Jawline filler can balance the face overall, minimize jowls, and sculpt the mandible and chin," explains Levine. "By adding structure to the lower face, it can help minimize a double chin by adding projection to the jawline and chin."

How to Prepare for Jawline Filler

Leading up to your jawline filler appointment, you'll want to steer clear of anything that could maximize your chances of bruising. "One should avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, and NSAIDs for 10 days before treatment," says Levine. "Fish oil and vitamin E can also lead to more bruising."

I went in for my appointment first thing on a Saturday morning—slightly hungover, I’ll admit. I didn't realize until later that you should avoid alcohol before getting filler to prevent bruising… oops.

What to Expect When Getting Jawline Filler

Pack took the time to meet with me and feel my face. Yes, feel my face. As her fingers deftly pressed into my jawline and cheeks, she explained that doing this would help her have a better understanding of my natural bone structure and figure out exactly what filler I would need. Pack’s sister, Lisa, trained under one of the top dermatologists in L.A. and also in Paris, and both women are known for the "untouched" look, so I knew I was in good hands (literally).

Pack mentioned that with Asian women, specifically, volume loss may not be as much of an issue, but we may lose bone density earlier, which is why she prefers to use a firmer filler to mimic bone. When placed along the jawline, it can give the illusion of a slimmer jaw because of the structure it adds. It was all fascinating stuff, and I felt 100 percent at ease letting her do her thing—which would be injecting filler along my jawline using a cannula.

The actual injection process itself isn’t exactly pleasant. It was the strangest, most uncomfortable feeling. You can feel the filler going through your skin, like wet concrete being squeezed into your jawline (you’re welcome for that visual). If that all makes you extra squeamish, Levine notes that topical anesthetic cream can be used prior to the procedure.

Luckily, the process was over fairly quickly. When I peered in the mirror, I didn't notice that much of a difference at first, but Pack promised me the results would be more noticeable shortly after. In fact, the results may be more extreme directly following your initial appointment because your face tends to swell a bit. She sent me on my way with an aftercare kit, and I immediately snapped some selfies in the Uber home.

That's when I realized how much of a difference the filler had truly made in my face. Suddenly, my jawline had a clearly defined angle from the bottom of my ear to my chin. My chin looked more pronounced, and my face, in general, looked more angular and sculpted. It was actually shocking. I was obsessed. I couldn't stop taking photos of myself and sending them to my friends with the text, "New jawline. Who dis?" I couldn't believe that I could get results like this without undergoing a more invasive treatment and knew I had to share my experience.

Alternatives to Jawline Filler

Dermal fillers aren't the only injections that can resculpt your jawline. In some cases, neurotoxins—such as Botox—will help you achieve your face-sculpting goals. "For some people, the lack of a defined jawline is very closely attributed to the neck muscle pulling too much in the down direction," Pack explains. "By placing Botox strategically in the neck, you will cause the muscle to pull up and in, and it will help define the jawline." She notes that the strength of the neck muscle means that several syringes of Botox are needed to retrain the muscles: "50 units minimum and sometimes up to 70 units for a female. Males typically require 70 to 80 units."

Your practitioner will let you know if Botox is your better bet. "This is a pure diagnostic result, meaning this needs to be evaluated in-office to determine if the neck muscle, known as the platysma, is overactive and could use Botox to retrain the muscle," says Pack.

For some folks, both injectables will do the trick. "Filler will help replace bone and give a stronger jawline line in general," says Pack. "Botox will help enhance. It truly is case by case and tailored to the individual."

There are also more invasive options. "Chin implants/jaw implants are alternatives, and non-surgical procedures to tighten the neck such as Ultherapy or Evoke may be alternatives or used in conjunction with the procedure," says Levine. "Neck lifts and submental liposuction are also used to tighten and define the jawline."

Potential Side Effects of Jawline Filler

"As with any filler, bruising, swelling, and vascular occlusion are all factors," Levine tells us. As always, you'll lower your risks of negative side effects by going with a pro: "The injections should be performed by an experienced provider," says Levine.

The Cost

The average cost of one syringe of a calcium hydroxyapatite filler, like Radiesse, is more than $700, while hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm come in at more than $600.

Cost depends on factors such as your location, how experienced your injector is, and of course, how many syringes are needed to get your desired look. "The jawline often will require a lot of product to create the definition," says Levine. "Sometimes three to four syringes—or more—are required."

Aftercare

It's important to consult with your injector for their aftercare guidance; they'll likely advise refraining from intense physical activity for the first day or two to minimize bruising.

Another great thing about jawline filler? You can expect lasting results. "Filler will last a year to two years," says Pack. "Botox in the neck will generally last three months, but with our signature method that works to retrain the neck muscles, you either don't need as many units or you don't need Botox as frequently."

The Final Takeaway

I will emphasize here that I’ve never once considered getting filler anywhere in my face. Sure, it was something I’d maybe consider down the line when I experienced volume loss, but not something that crossed my mind currently.

It's been a few months since my appointment, and my jawline feels as chiseled and defined as ever. The result is subtle enough that no one would ever notice it just from looking at me, but the difference is definitely there; I notice it most in photos. Can my jawline cut glass? No, but there's a definition that was never there before. Did it make my neck fat disappear? No, but it certainly made my neck look more lifted and, thus, slimmer. Would I recommend jawline filler to anyone who is curious about ways to add more definition to the lower half of their face? Absolutely.