“Take a look at the neck if you are unsure of someone’s age. It never lies.” This is something that I have often heard, and I’m sure you have too. While many people realize the importance of using high-quality skincare products on the face and getting treatments like Botox and fillers, the neck is an area that is often forgotten. Forgetting the neck can be detrimental to your entire skincare regimen because while the skin on your face may look great, the neck can begin to reveal your true age. Thankfully, this no longer has to be the case!
We now have several treatments that can help refresh the neck. The difficulty with this area arises from the fact that there are many contributing factors to the aging neck, including loss of skin quality, the appearance of prominent muscle bands, and excessive fat pads. Each person is a little different, so an evaluation to determine your unique treatment plan can lead to some amazing results.
One of the first things that we will assess in your consultation is the quality of the skin. As collagen in the skin diminishes, the neck can become loose and crepe in appearance. In extreme cases, the dreaded “turkey waddle” may develop. While lasers that are effective for facial rejuvenation can also be used on the neck, more aggressive lasers are best because there are fewer collagen-producing cells in the neck than there are on the face. In our office, we recommend the SmartSkin CO2 or the Fraxel re:store laser for the neck. Additionally, all your topical skin care products that you use on your face should also be applied to your neck.
The next thing we will look at in the neck is platysmal banding. The platysma is a broad thin muscle, just under the skin that covers most of the anterior neck. As this muscle loses its natural tone, it can sag and bunch, creating the appearance of thin vertical bands. Injecting Botox or Dysport into this muscle can relax and smooth out the bands, improving overall appearance.
Finally, a prominent submental fat pad (sometimes referred to as a “double chin”) can hide your beautiful neck. Fortunately, this is the area where we now have several new options for treatment. The traditional surgical approach is still available, but with advances in laser-assisted liposuction and the recent addition of Kybella and CoolSculpting’s mini-applicator, we have some safe, simple, and nonsurgical treatments that can be effective at improving the appearance of the neck and chin. Unlike surgery, you can now take care of your neck and return to your daily activities with minimal to no downtime.
| Procedure | Slogan | Treatment Time (Chin) | Visible Results | Duration of Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Lift (Laser Lipo) | “Suck the Fat” | 2 Hours (1x) | 8-12 Weeks | Permanent |
| CoolSculpting | “Freeze the Fat” | 75 Minutes (2x) | 12-16 Weeks | Permanent |
| Kybella | “Dissolve the Fat” | 30 Minutes (2-3x) | 6-12 Weeks | Permanent |
In short, we have a variety of minimally-invasive solutions for the three problems of the aging neck: loose skin, muscle banding, and excess fat. Come in for a consultation, so together, we can develop a plan to take advantage of these new technologies to make this the year of your neck! Slogan Treatment Time (Chin) “Dissolve the Fat” 30 Minutes (2-3x) Visible Duration of Results Results 8-12 Weeks Permanent 12-16 Weeks Permanent 6-12 Weeks Permanent