Neck Tightening

Turkey neck is one of the most common signs of aging. Sagging skin in the neck can give away your age no matter how youthful and fresh your face looks. If you have already tried things like retinol skincare products, a firming neck cream, neck tightening exercises, neck patches or tapes, etc., with little to no improvement, then it may be time to try professional cosmetic treatments. If you are serious about getting rid of wrinkled, ropey skin on your neck, read on. In this article, we're going to talk about surgical neck lift as well as non-surgical skin tightening procedures. These treatments target the deeper layers of skin with heat energy, stimulate elastin and collagen production, and lead to gradual but lasting improvement in your skin tone and texture. Come, let's take a deep dive into the various FDA-cleared skin tightening treatments for the neck that can turn back the clock and help you look younger.

What makes the neck look older?

The neck is a dead giveaway of a person's age. There are various factors that lead to this. Like with all skin, the skin of the neck suffers sun damage, collagen and elastin breakdown, and other age-related changes.

Unfortunately, most people tend to focus on their face. Whether it is cleansing, sunscreen use, or cosmetic treatments, the face gets the majority of a person's attention. As a result, the skin of the neck tends to form wrinkles, creases, sun spots, and loose skin.

It doesn't help that the neck has delicate skin and muscle. Years of stretching and twisting, combined with the effects of gravity and the accumulation of fat all lead to a severe aging effects in the neck. These changes typically become more prominent when a person reaches their 40s. This is also the age when one tends to develop neck bands because the plastymal muscles become loose and their edges start to become visible through the skin.

What's the solution?

When the neck starts looking old, many people resort to wearing scarves or turtle necks to hide the signs of aging. But you don't have to accept the changes commonly called turkey neck. The youthful skin you strive for on your face is also achievable on your neck. There are both surgical procedures as well as more conservative non-surgical treatments that can help you achieve this. Surgery can give you dramatic results. But if you're not quite ready to go under the knife, there is a growing number of non-invasive treatment options for the neck area. Keep reading to learn more about surgical and non-surgical neck-tightening treatments.

What is the best procedure for tightening skin on your neck?

Can' wait to say goodbye to turkey neck? There are many non-invasive treatments and technologies that can effectively and safely accomplish this for you. You will need to work with your aesthetic provider to identify which treatment is right for your skin type and skin quality. The goal of all these treatments, however, is to enhance your natural beauty and help you look more youthful.

Botox

Botox is an injectable treatment that can reduce neck wrinkles. (This is an off-label use of Botox). The injections of botulinum toxin type A (Botox) help to reduce muscle movement and relax the neck muscles. This makes neck bands less prominent. The procedure itself is quick, nearly painless, and requires minimal to no downtime. The average cost of Botox for the neck is $400 per session. Treatments need to be repeated every 3-4 months to maintain the results.

Injectable dermal fillers

Dermal fillers like Juvederm, Restylane, Bellafill, Radiesse, and Sculptra are commonly used to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Fillers can help restore lost volume in the skin of the neck due to aging or weight loss. Many patients prefer hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite fillers for jawline definition because they provide longer-lasting anti-aging effects. Each treatment lasts around 6-12 months. The average cost of injectable dermal fillers is $750.

Laser treatment

Laser treatments allow doctors to treat damaged skin while leaving healthy skin intact. Devices such as an erbium or CO2 laser use heat to selectively destroy the top layers of the skin. While this sounds counterintuitive, what it does is it kickstarts the body's natural healing processes and promotes more collagen production. Laser resurfacing thereby leads to improvement in skin texture and tone and overall smoother, younger looking skin. Lasers can also be used to address skin laxity and jowling in the chin and neck area. It is an effective treatment option for people with moderate signs of aging. Downtime after laser treatment is usually around 7-10 days. The average cost of a laser session is $2,000.

Kybella

Accumulation of fat under the chin and in the upper neck is a very common problem in aging faces. In people with mild neck fat and good skin quality, a minimally invasive treatment called Kybella can help to improve the neck contour. The injection contains deoxycholic acid, a substance that is naturally present in the body and breaks down fat cells. Kybella treatment is performed in the office and takes around 30 minutes to complete. Recovery is fast with minimal swelling and redness at the injection site for a few days. The results are visible in 4-6 weeks. The procedure may need to be repeated a 3-4 times for optimum results. The average cost of Kybella is approximately $1,000.

Radiofrequency and microneedling treatments

Another effective way to treat loose neck skin and neck wrinkles is with radiofrequency and microneedling procedures. These two technologies lead to a natural boost in collagen production, thus promoting neck rejuvenation from within. The treatments are suitable for younger patients with mild skin laxity in the neck. It is also appropriate for older patients with moderate sagging skin who are not ready to undergo a surgical procedure. The results are visible right away and continue to improve over the next several months. The cost of radiofrequency and microneedling varies as it is a customizable procedure.

Ultherapy

Ultrasound treatments are non-invasive technologies that penetrate the skin and treat the neck and chin with ultrasound waves. Ultherapy is an FDA approved ultrasound technology that can lift the chin and neck, provide skin tightening, and improve lines and wrinkles without surgery. This procedure uses ultrasound energy and is suitable for all skin types. It works by stimulating collagen formation for more youthful skin in the chin, neck, and chest area. Providers can adjust the depth and temperature to provide lift in deeper tissue layers. Ultherapy is an office procedure and takes 60-90 minutes to complete. There is no downtime and you can return to routine activities straight away. There may be some mild skin redness or flushing, but this typically disappears in a few hours. The results appear over the following 2-3 months as the new collagen forms. The average cost of Ultherapy is $2,200 per session.

Surgery

If you have already tried non-invasive, non-surgical options and want to do something that more dramatically rejuvenates your neck, then a neck lift surgery might be the best solution. Not only can a neck lift eliminate excess neck skin and address skin laxity, it can also make the chin and neck areas appear smooth and flat with cleaner neck contours. Surgeons can perform various types of skin tightening and neck rejuvenation surgeries, including neck lift, lower face lift, neck band surgery, neck liposuction, and chin implants.

Benefits of a nonsurgical neck lift

Many patients are nervous about undergoing surgery to improve their appearance and enhance their natural beauty. Yet, things like neck cream and other skincare products do not work or have a minimal effect. Non-surgical rejuvenation of the neck fills the gap between these two modalities. The added advantages of nonsurgical cosmetic treatments over surgical procedures include shorter procedures, faster recovery times, minimal side effects, lower costs, and fewer risks.

Am I a good candidate for non-surgical skin tightening?

Aesthetic providers and cosmetic surgeons can help you decide if you are a good candidate for non-surgical, minimally invasive or non invasive procedures to tighten the neck. In general, non-surgical skin tightening is advisable for patients with mild to moderate signs of aging. Patients with more severe neck aging will usually benefit from some type of neck lift surgery.

Choosing a non-surgical skin tightening provider

Various different factors contribute to neck aging, including a patient's skin tissue type and quality. Highly skilled cosmetic surgeons can help you figure out the best treatment for turkey neck based on your aesthetic goals and current appearance. The MeTime app makes it easy to find experienced surgeons and aesthetic treatment providers in your area. You can chat with experts, share photos, do a video consult, and get quotes. And when you're ready, you can book an office consultation with your chosen provider through the MeTime app. Download the MeTime app today and say goodbye to turkey neck.