A youthful, well-defined neck can take years off your appearance. A neck exhibiting loose skin, undefined jawline, wrinkles, or excess fat can be distracting.
Here are five treatment options for an improved neck contour:
1. Dysport for Platysmal Bands
Platysmal bands are caused by the most superficial muscle of the neck. The platysma originates on the skin along the lateral aspects of the chin and extends down toward the collarbones. This muscle is missing in the midline. When this muscle pulls, a band of skin is tented up. Thankfully, this muscular action can be relaxed by Dysport of Botox. Treatments take 5 minutes and last for 3 – 4 months.
2. Chin and Jawline Filler Augmentation
Under projection of the chin or a soft jawline makes the face blend into the neck. By augmenting the chin or lateral jawline, we restore the natural face-neck border.Traditionally this was accomplished by surgery. However today a popular option is the augmentation of the chin or jaw with a dermal filler. This treatment takes 30 minutes and can last up to a year.
3. Liposuction
The neck has special geometry that make it the best place in the body for liposuction. When we remove fat from the neck skin, the neck skin tightens up (unlike other parts of the body where the skin can hang). Liposuction uses a canula, or blunt needle to remove fat from under the skin. First we place a specialized numbing medication called tumescent under the skin. Then, under gentle suction, we remove the fat with the cannula. The procedure can take place in the office without the need for general anesthesia. The procedure takes an hour and can last a lifetime.
4. Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling
Many patients have skin redundancy, fine lines, and texture issues. However, they are not ready for a neck lift. In such cases, we recommend Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling. Microneedling is a technique of placing dozens of fine needles under the skin at the same time using a FDA approved device. To rejuvenate the neck, with the help of RF Microneedling device, we apply bipolar electric energy at the frequency of radio waves to produce tissue remodeling and stimulate collagen deposition. We apply topical numbing beforehand to minimize discomfort. Treatments take about an hour. We recommend 3 treatments about a month apart to maximize results.
5. Neck Lift
Patients who are candidates for the neck lift will often place their hands on the sides of the neck, push upwards in a direction behind their ears, and say “I just want my neck to do this.” We call this the “neck lift sign.” A neck lift is like tailoring: we remove extra skin and then place the crease in an inconspicuous place. For a neck lift, the “crease” or incision lines are behind the ears. A neck lift typically is done with neck liposuction. Patients go home the same day and are often out and about within a week.
