How to Treat and Prevent the “Tired Look”: From Under-Eyes to Jawline
Clemens Face + Body | Brookline, Boston
We’ve all had moments where the mirror reflects something we don’t quite feel—a face that looks tired, even when we’re well-rested. The “tired look” is one of the most common concerns patients bring to consultations at Clemens Face + Body. It’s often not just about sleep—it’s about structure, volume, and skin quality.
The good news? You can restore balance and freshness to your face without surgery. Let’s explore what causes this look and how we treat it from the under-eyes to the jawline.
What Causes the “Tired Look”?
The face naturally loses volume, elasticity, and bone support as we age. This leads to visible signs such as:
Under-eye hollows or dark circles
Nasolabial folds (the lines between the nose and mouth)
Downturned corners of the mouth
Softening of the jawline and chin
These changes can make the face appear drawn, heavy, or fatigued, even when you feel great.
Other contributing factors include dehydration, sun exposure, and stress—all of which can affect skin texture and tone over time.
Restoring Brightness to the Under-Eye Area
The under-eye region is one of the most delicate areas of the face and often the first to show signs of aging. We treat it conservatively and strategically.
For patients with true volume loss or hollowing, we may recommend hyaluronic acid filler to gently replace lost volume and smooth transitions between the lower eyelid and cheek (known as the lid-cheek junction). This helps brighten the area and reduce shadows.
For those not suitable for filler—such as patients with puffiness, allergies, or excess skin—microneedling or skin boosters can strengthen and hydrate the thin skin, improving texture and luminosity over time.
Addressing Midface Volume Loss
When the midface loses support, everything below it—like the under-eyes and nasolabial folds—starts to appear heavier. Subtle cheek or midface filler can help reestablish natural lift, reducing shadows and restoring youthful contour.
For patients seeking gradual improvement, collagen stimulators like Sculptra or Radiesse can rebuild structure more diffusely, improving firmness and elasticity over several months.
Defining the Jawline and Lower Face
A tired lower face often stems from sagging skin, soft tissue descent, or jowl formation. Restoring definition to the chin and jawline helps sharpen the lower face and counteracts the downward pull that contributes to a fatigued appearance.
Lower face filler can restore projection and definition, while wrinkle relaxers in the platysmal bands or masseter muscles can refine contour and create a more balanced silhouette.
Don’t Overlook the Skin Itself
Structure is key, but skin quality tells the full story. Dullness, dehydration, and uneven texture amplify the tired look even when volume has been restored.
Microneedling with PDRN (salmon DNA) and skin boosters help improve hydration, texture, and tone by stimulating cell renewal and collagen. This makes the skin appear smoother, plumper, and more radiant.
Optimize Your At-Home Routine
Your daily skincare routine plays a major role, if not the most important role, in maintaining professional results and preventing wasted money on in-office treatments that don’t last as long as they should. A well-structured home routine helps extend the effects of fillers, collagen stimulators, and microneedling—while also keeping your skin barrier strong and hydrated year-round.
Adjust Your Moisturizer by Season
Your moisturizer should change as the weather does. Hot, humid months often call for a lighter, gel-based moisturizer that hydrates without feeling heavy or clogging pores (a personal favorite is Clinique’s Moisture Surge). During colder months, when indoor heating and dry air strip the skin of moisture, it’s best to switch to a thicker, cream-based moisturizer that helps lock in hydration and strengthen your skin barrier.
Making these seasonal adjustments keeps your skin balanced and prevents common issues like dehydration, flaking, or breakouts from using the wrong texture at the wrong time of year.
Keep It Simple and Effective
When it comes to skincare, more is not always better. Overlayering multiple serums and actives can lead to barrier disruption, dehydration, and inflammation—which ironically accelerates visible aging instead of preventing it.
The skin thrives when it’s supported, not overwhelmed. Focus on a few key pillars:
A gentle cleanser that doesn’t strip natural oils but is effective in removing impurities (a personal favorite is Bioderma’s Sensibio Micellar Cleanser)
A targeted serum or active (like retinol or niacinamide 10%) suited to your needs
A moisturizer that matches the season
A broad-spectrum SPF every single morning
Your skin performs best when it can function naturally—so think of your routine as a way to support, not micromanage, your skin.
By keeping your regimen consistent, minimal, and adaptable to the season, you’ll not only preserve your professional results but also maintain a healthier, calmer complexion year-round.
The Bottom Line
Looking tired isn’t always about rest—it’s about structure, skin, and balance. Whether it’s replacing lost volume, redefining the jawline, or revitalizing dull skin, our goal is to restore a refreshed version of you—not change who you are.
At Clemens Face + Body in Brookline, Boston, we specialize in creating customized facial rejuvenation plans that combine injectables, skin treatments, and realistic guidance for maintaining your results long-term.
Ready to Look as Rested as You Feel?
Book your consultation today and let us design a treatment plan that revives your features—beautifully, naturally, and in balance.
