Jowl Exercises Before & After: My 6-Month Natural Results

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist

One of the most common questions I get is:

“Do jowl exercises really work—and how long does it take to see results?”

To answer, I’m sharing my own before-and-after photos. These show my jawline and neck progress after just six months—and how it looks years later from simply staying consistent.

Why I started jowl exercises

I didn’t wake up one day with jowls. It crept up slowly—little folds at the corners of my mouth, a softer jawline, and that slight “pouch” by my chin that showed up in every side photo.

I wasn’t ready for surgery, but I also didn’t want to just watch everything slide south. So I decided to treat my lower face the same way I would treat a soft tummy or arm: with regular exercise and a little extra attention.

That’s how this six-month experiment started—just me, a mirror, and a promise to show up for a few minutes a day.

My 6-month jowl progress

At the start of this journey, I committed to simple, consistent routines—just facial massage and targeted jowl exercises.

At first, nothing dramatic happened. Around weeks 4–6, I noticed small things: my jawline looked a bit cleaner from certain angles, and my neck didn’t bunch up as much when I smiled.

By month 3, those changes were more obvious.

By month 6, my jawline looked noticeably tighter, and the area under my chin looked smoother and less “puffy.”

No filters. No fillers. Just my hands, facial oil, and a few minutes a day.

Before-and-after photo of Linda Robison showing 6-month jowl and neck tightening results from facial massage and simple facial exercises.My real 6-month jowl and neck progress. You can see how the heaviness under my chin started to lift and how the neck lines softened once I stayed consistent with massage and a couple of simple exercises.

What I did to get these results

What did I do? I kept it very simple:

  • Gentle massage along my jawline and neck to boost circulation and help move fluid.
  • Two key jowl exercises that focused on lifting and tightening the muscles around my mouth and jaw.
  • Weekly facial exercise sessions to keep everything working together, not just the lower face.

Later on, I added tools like gua sha and a Kansa wand to my routine, but the six-month results you see here came only from my hands.

I didn’t change my entire life. I just stacked small habits: a little massage while watching TV, a couple of exercises in the bathroom mirror, and a weekly “face workout” for extra support.

Why these exercises help jowls look tighter

Jowls aren’t just “loose skin.” With age, we lose firmness from several places at once:

  • Skin gets thinner and less springy
  • Facial fat pads shift and sink
  • Muscles can weaken and sag, just like anywhere else in the body

Massage helps wake things up—supporting circulation and lymph flow so the area looks less puffy and heavy. Targeted facial exercises give the jaw and lower-face muscles more tone and “lift” under the skin, so you’re not relying only on products.

Do they replace a surgical facelift? No. But they can make a real, visible difference in how defined and firm your jawline looks—especially if you’re consistent.

Years Later: Did the Results Last?

It’s been more than 12 years since I first started doing jowl exercises, and my jawline is still noticeably firmer than it was in my early 50s.

The results I saw in those first 6 months didn’t fade—they held up because I stayed consistent. Just like the rest of your body, your face responds to regular training. When I ease up, things soften a bit. When I get back into my routine, everything perks up again.

The encouraging part? It's not perfect, but it's nice to know that even as we move into our 60s and beyond, the face can stay firm, lifted, and defined with steady, simple exercises. Consistency really is the secret.

6-month before and after showing natural jowl tightening from facial massage and exercises.This is me years later, in everyday lighting. Not perfect, not “frozen”—just a softer, firmer jawline than I had in my early 50s.

What I’d do differently if I were starting today

If I were starting from scratch now, here’s what I’d do:

  • Take clear, well-lit photos from the front and side before I begin (you’ll be glad you did—your eye forgets the “before”).
  • Start slowly with a few core exercises and gentle massage, instead of trying to do everything at once.
  • Add tools like gua sha or a Kansa wand only after I’ve built a steady routine with my hands.
  • Be patient with myself. The face doesn’t change overnight, but it does respond over time.

The good news? You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You just have to keep going.

FAQ:

Question:  How long did it take to see visible results?

Answer: I noticed subtle changes around weeks 4–6—little things, like a softer fold or a slightly cleaner jawline. The bigger difference came between months 3–6, when my jawline and neck looked noticeably tighter in photos.

Question: Did you use any devices?

Answer:  No—during this 6-month period, I only used my hands and a clean facial oil for slip. No gadgets, no firming devices, and no tightening serums. That’s one reason I like sharing these photos: the changes came from massage and simple exercises alone.

Question: What’s the difference between this and a professional facelift?

Answer: Surgery gives fast, dramatic lifting and reshaping. My results were slower and more gradual—but they were natural, subtle, and maintainable. You’re working with what you already have, not changing your face overnight.

Question: Where can I learn the full method?

Answer: My complete step-by-step plan is laid out in the Turkey Neck Rescue guide and Facial Exercise guide. That’s where I walk through how often to practice, how to combine massage and exercises, and how to fit everything into a busy week.

Question: Can I prevent jowls with exercises?

Answer: In my experience, yes—consistent practice has slowed down how heavy my lower face looks with age. Nothing stops aging completely, but keeping the muscles active, the skin supported, and the area de-puffed has made a big difference for me.

Question: What skincare products were you using during this time?

Answer: Nothing fancy. I mostly used clean, hydrating products—like facial oils or organic moisturizers to help my hands glide during massage.

I wasn’t using any firming serums or treatments, so the changes in my jaw and neck were from massage and muscle activation alone.

Takeaway

This transformation didn’t come from expensive tools or procedures—it came from small, steady habits: facial massage, simple exercises, and consistency.

👉 Want to try the same moves? Start with my Two Simple Facial Jowl Exercises That Work. For more gentle routines and options, see my Jowl Lift Without Surgery guide.

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About the Author:
Linda Robison is a Facial Fitness Specialist and the founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone. With decades of hands-on experience, she shares practical, natural ways to lift and brighten mature skin—without expensive or invasive treatments.

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