We speak lots in regards to the face. However ask any skilled the place growing older truly exhibits up first, and so they’ll level south, proper to the neck. “The neck is where you’re going to see the first signs of aging in terms of skin laxity,” says New York plastic surgeon Michael Kane, MD. “That skin is the thinnest and has the least sebaceous glands.”
Possibly that’s why the menu for neck rejuvenation is increasing properly past wrinkle relaxers and surgical procedure. “We’re seeing a surge in interest for neck treatments across all age groups,” says Pittsburgh plastic surgeon Leo McCafferty, MD. “Whether patients are concerned about skin texture, banding or loose skin, they are more aware that their neck can give away their age, and they want to do something about it.”
Pores and skin-Deep Fixes
Neck lotions are an important start line, however for a simpler therapy plan, there are new choices price contemplating. “Neck creams can moisturize, but we haven’t found any that significantly tighten skin,” says Dr. McCafferty. “One of the most obvious and helpful things is using sunscreen, which will help prevent signs of aging from appearing or worsening.”
Now, a wave of high-tech, nonsurgical therapies is making it simpler to handle the neck early on. A high-tech facial like Hydrafacial may give an instantaneous refresh. “It’s a great noninvasive option to address early signs of aging and skin laxity,” says San Diego dermatologist Tess Mauricio, MD. Ask for the brand new HydraFillic with Pep9 Booster add-on, which mixes peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin B5 to assist assist firmness and hydration.
One other skin-boosting therapy gaining traction entails needles, however not in the best way one may count on. SKINVIVE by Juvéderm, a microdroplet injectable initially authorised for the cheeks, is now FDA-approved for the neck. “It’s more of a superficial injection that improves skin texture and hydration,” explains Montclair, NJ dermatologist Jeanine Downie, MD. “Neck aging is a major concern for my patients, from their late 20s into their 90s. When signs of crepiness or dryness set in, SKINVIVE is a great option.”
For a needle-free therapy, Enerjet makes use of a high-pressure jet to ship hyaluronic acid, biostimulators and different actives deep into the pores and skin with out piercing it. “It helps thicken the dermis, smooth texture, plump and hydrate, without the discomfort or downtime of traditional methods,” says Beverly Hills, CA dermatologist Ava Shamban, MD.
Tox + Tightening
Named after the famously long-necked Egyptian queen, the Nefertiti elevate has change into a go-to method for softening neck bands and subtly lifting the decrease face. By injecting neurotoxin into the platysma, the skinny sheet of muscle that runs from jaw to collarbone, docs can scale back downward pull and improve the contour of the jawline. (Botox Beauty is at the moment the one neurotoxin that’s FDA-approved to be used within the neck.) “It can create a more sculpted contour, smooth neck bands and help with early signs of laxity,” explains Dr. Mauricio.
A more recent variation, generally referred to as “gonial angle Botox,” zeroes in on the world the place the decrease jaw meets the neck. “It’s similar to the Nefertiti lift in technique, but the aim is for a more defined, slimmer and sculpted ‘snatched’ jawline rather than overall lifting,” she provides.
Outcomes normally seem inside two weeks and might final three to 6 months. “There are major blood vessels in the neck to avoid so precised placement and dosage is critical,” Dr. Mauricio notes. “And for those with more fullness or advanced laxity, injectables may need to be combined with other modalities to get the best result.”
Energy Pairings
In the case of restoring the looks of an growing older neck, one therapy not often does all of it. Biostimulatory fillers like Radiesse and Sculptra may give the pores and skin a collagen-building enhance, however subtlety is vital. “There’s some decent data on these fillers’ ability to improve the neck, but the skin is thin, and it’s not as forgiving,” says Dr. Kane. “I tend to go very conservative there.”
Mixture therapies are the place many physicians see essentially the most potential. A go-to pairing Dr. McCafferty makes use of is radio-frequency microneedling with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) throughout the neck and chest. “It’s one of the best nonsurgical approaches we’ve seen.”
New York plastic surgeon Andrew Peredo, MD likes to mix Sculptra injections with ultrasound-based therapies like Ultherapy or Sofwave. However for these looking for extra elevate, he recommends going a step additional. “A scarless necklift, combined with MyEllevate suture suspension and FaceTite skin tightening, is a great in-between solution for tightening sagging on the lower face.”
“You almost always have to combine modalities to get a good result on the neck,” Dr. Kane provides. “Maybe a little filler, maybe energy, maybe neurotoxin—especially for platysmal bands. It’s rare that just one treatment can improve the whole neck.”
Scalpel Options
At a sure level, units and injectables can solely go thus far. “If somebody is a candidate for surgery, the 50s is typically a good time to consider that option,” says Dr. McCafferty. “The skin tone has more integrity than it would if you waited until your 60s and beyond, and the results tend to last longer.”
However the fashionable necklift isn’t what it was. “A common mistake is thinking it’s all about fat removal,” says Chicago facial plastic surgeon Anil Shah, MD. “What really matters are the deeper structures within the neck. You have to ask your surgeon, ‘Can you lift the muscle? Can you elevate the hyoid bone?’ That’s the magic behind restoring a youthful neck.”
In accordance with Dr. Shah, attaining a natural-looking consequence typically will depend on refined, custom-made changes. “Everyone’s anatomy is different,” he explains. “As such, the best results often come from micro-touches, like lifting in the proper plane, adding fat where needed, and treating the neck as a continuation of the face.”
That’s additionally why sufferers who’re hoping to “just do the neck” are generally shocked to listen to their plastic surgeon advocate a facelift as an alternative. “The skin doesn’t separate at the jawline,” Dr. McCafferty says. “The face and neck are part of the same sheet. To lift one, you often need to address the other.” As a result of after all of the serums, sculpting and smoothing, generally essentially the most elegant answer can be essentially the most direct.
Earlier than-and-After Images Earlier than, Courtesy of Scott Smith, MD 
After, Courtesy of Scott Smith, MD
Houston dermatologist Scott Smith, MD used skin-tightening therapies and Botox Beauty to cut back this 68-year-old affected person’s neck bands.
Earlier than, Courtesy of Anthony Wilson, MD 
After, Courtesy of Anthony Wilson, MD
Portsmouth, NH plastic surgeon Anthony Wilson, MD carried out a deep-plane facelift and necklift on this 62-year-old affected person to handle decrease neck laxity.
Earlier than, Courtesy of Min Ahn, MD 
After, Courtesy of Min Ahn, MD
Westborough, MA facial plastic surgeon Min Ahn, MD carried out a deep-plane facelift and necklift, mixed with Fraxel and Morpheus8 on this 51-year-old affected person.
Earlier than, Courtesy of Adam Summers, MD 
After, Courtesy of Adam Summers, MD
This 62-year-old affected person had a decrease facelift and necklift with Glen Burnie, MD plastic surgeon Adam Summers, MD for a youthful profile and tighter neck.
