All About the Neck: Smoother, Tighter, Younger

The appearance of the neck often betrays some of the earliest signs of aging, such as loose, crepey skin, jowls or indistinct jawline, or bulging from fat located under the chin. Age-defying methods that improve the quality of the skin and overall neck contour offer many different cosmetic options for creating a smoother, tighter, younger looking neck for both women and men. Procedures range from non-invasive treatments with no downtime to comprehensive surgical interventions that yield the most definitive results.

Depending on which aspects of your neck bother you, how much of an improvement you’re looking to achieve, and how long you’re willing to wait for the results, you may consider any of the following options:

• Neck Lift
  • the “gold standard”, best and most effective method to address all signs of aging neck:
    • removes excess fat and tightens loose skin
    • reduces jowls and improves jawline contour
    • corrects platysma muscle band separation
  • immediate and permanent results
  • ideal for older patients with combination of loose skin, lax muscles, or extra fat
  • may be combined with facelift, eyelid lift, fat injections, or facial skin rejuvenation with microneedling and PRP
• Minimally Invasive Treatment
  • Neck microsuction
    • removes submental fat
    • reduces jowling
    • improves neck contour
  • immediate and permanent removal of excess fat
  • stimulates moderate skin tightening that continues over several weeks
  • ideal for younger patients with double chin, early jowling, and good skin tone
  • in patients who would benefit from chin augmentation, may create even better contour
  • may be combined with non-surgical microneedling and PRP for added skin improvement
• Non-surgical
  • Microneedling and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
    • microneedling stimulates collagen and elastin production for smoother, tighter skin; reduces fine lines and wrinkles; diminishes pigmentation and age spots; and improves overall skin texture
    • PRP uses your own serum’s concentrated growth factors to produce younger looking skin with better skin tone
    • when performed together, deliver the most noticeable results
    • may be repeated every 4-6 weeks for optimal results
    • complement surgical rejuvenation procedures such as microsuction or neck lift
  • Botox®
    • liquid injected into platysma muscle bands for smoother neck contour
    • produces results within few days and last 3-4 months
    • may be performed concurrently with microsuction or microneedling and PRP
  • Kybella
    • injectable enzyme dissolves fat under the chin
    • limited use under chin and in neck, not for jowls or jaw contouring
    • requires 2 or 3 treatments spaced several weeks apart
    • results only seen weeks after treatment
  • Noninvasive technologies: radiofrequency, ultrasound, or heating, or freezing fat
    • temporary, minimal to moderate skin tightening, or fat reduction
    • delayed onset of results – many weeks to months
    • require multiple treatments, somewhat unpredictable results

There are numerous options currently available for neck rejuvenation, and all have their pros and cons. Choosing the best option for you should always include a comprehensive examination by and discussion with a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in cosmetic procedures. Once you’ve shared your concerns and expectations with your plastic surgeon, you can decide on a treatment plan that will help you achieve a more youthful and better looking neck.

Dr. Olivia Hutchinson is a board certified female plastic surgeon in New York City with advanced specialized fellowship training in aesthetic plastic surgery. Her private practice on Manhattan’s Upper East Side is dedicated to cosmetic surgery of the face, breast, and body, with an emphasis on natural results and minimally invasive surgery with the shortest scars. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Hutchinson in NYC, please contact us or call us at (212) 452-1400.