As we age, the skin on our necks can start drawing attention for all the wrong reasons. Women attempt to hide their aging necks by wearing scarves, while men may grow a grizzly beard. Or resort to turtlenecks. Maybe an ascot?
All joking aside, the signs of an aging neck can be distressful for some. And it can give away your true age even when your face looks young. Plus, hiding your neck at all times isn’t practical. Particularly in the summer or in warmer climates.
Fortunately, there are better solutions for an aging neck.
Signs of an Aging Neck
For most patients, the signs of an aging neck begin when they reach their late 30s or early 40s. Some notice before this age, though. Much of it depends on the patient’s sun exposure, skin care regimen, and genetics.
One of the first signs is wrinkles, looseness, and/or sagging on the neck. And this makes sense. As you age, the skin produces less collagen and elastin, which are what keep your skin plump and smooth. Plus, the skin on the neck is thin and delicate. And it’s prone to a lot of stretching through movement. So it’s only natural that patients start to notice sagging skin and horizontal creases around the neck (also known as necklace lines) before other places on the body begin to wrinkle.
In addition, vertical neck bands, known as platysmal bands, become more prominent as age causes neck muscles to weaken and separate. This can also result in a highly undesirable turkey neck appearance.
Finally, fat that has accumulated under the chin over the years can create a double chin that further stretches the skin on the neck and increases laxity, wrinkles, and sagging. All in all, not a pretty picture.
So What Are the Best Solutions for an Aging Neck?
If you have only mild or moderate skin sagging, you may fare well with a nonsurgical skin tightening treatment like Botox injections. Another sort of injection, Juvéderm Volbella, has a smooth and gentle consistency that makes it ideal for smoothing the necklace lines on the delicate skin of the neck.
Occasionally, skincare professionals will first use a neck neuromodulator such as Botox to relax the neck muscles and bands before injecting fillers such as Volbella. This delivers longer and more natural-looking results.
For cases where the skin is heavily creased or wrinkled, and the platysmal bands are highly prominent, a neck lift procedure is recommended.
Neck Lift Procedures
There’s no one-size-fits-all procedure for a neck lift. Which procedure is utilized will depend on the issue. Below are three of the most common complaints about an aging neck and how they are addressed:
- Turkey Wattle
While Botox injections can relax parts of that unsightly turkey wattle, surgery is usually the recommendation.
This procedure involves incisions under the chin or behind the ears (or both) in order to access the neck muscle. In some instances, part of the muscle may need to be removed. Newer procedures allow for smaller incisions and the use of an endoscope to execute the surgery.
This sort of neck lift can be done under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation.
- Too Much Skin
When there is extra skin, but it’s not quite a turkey wattle, the skin is trimmed then lifted into place. It’s secured with stitches or tissue glue. This procedure takes two to four hours, and it can be done under either local or general anesthesia.
After the procedure, the patient is fitted with a compression bandage to be worn for five to seven days.
- Excess Fat
Liposuction is often the preferred method for removing excess fat. Simpler than the above two procedures, the surgeon needs only to make a small incision below the chin.
If no other procedure is performed, the liposuction surgery lasts no more than an hour. A local anesthetic is used, the incisions are stitched and bandaged, and the patient is sent home with instructions for wound care.
No Need to Despair About Your Aging Neck
If you’re seeking solutions for an aging neck, chin up!
Either injectables or a neck lift procedure can give you a smoother, tighter, and younger-looking neck again.
So if you’re ready to speak with a plastic surgeon about which option is right for you, contact us today. Our experienced team will provide you with the personalized care and attention you deserve.