When it comes to your skincare regime, it’s easy to forget about the neck. Then, suddenly, it can feel like your neck region has aged overnight. The skin on your neck is thin and delicate, so it requires special attention. If you have sagging skin around the neck, there are various neck treatments available to lift and tighten the area.
These treatments range from surgical procedures to non-surgical neck treatments. An example of surgical neck treatment includes neck lift surgery. This procedure involves the removal of any loose skin along the jawline and the neck. It is used not only in neck treatment but also in removing excess skin in case of immense weight loss. On the other hand, examples of non-surgical neck treatments include skincare and the use of injectable dermal fillers.
Premature Ageing and the Neck
The neck is an area that many people struggle with. As you get older, your collagen levels deplete. That means that by the time you’re 50, your body produces even less collagen. You need collagen to combat sagging skin and give you that youthful, plump-looking skin. Annoyingly, the skin on your neck is thinner than other areas, so ageing tends to show up in this area ahead of time.
Causes of neck sagging include:
- Ageing- The skin on the neck is delicate, thin, and has less collagen, which makes it prone to losing stretch and flexibility as you age.
- Sudden weight loss- Neck skin continually loses its flexibility; therefore, skin stretched during weight gain loses its ability to retract after weight loss.
- Overexposure to the sun- Due to its properties, neck skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, especially if you do not apply sunscreen.
While ageing is inevitable, other factors can cause premature ageing like:
- Smoking
- Pollution
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Stress
- Inflammation
Your collagen and elastin levels start to break down over time, and you begin to see sagging in the neck, jaw, and décolletage. As you get older, your skin begins to lose its ability to bounce back. Although ageing is inevitable, you can actively do things that slow down the ageing process so you can stay looking younger for longer.
Ageing Neck Prevention: Lines and Wrinkles
Although you’re unlikely to get a facelift in a jar, a good skincare regime will set a strong foundation for your skin. Protecting your skin from UV exposure with good sunscreen should form part of your standard anti-ageing routine.
Slowing down the signs of ageing around your neck involves keeping the skin hydrated. When shopping for products that target ageing, look for ingredients like retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid. Try ZO Skin Health; they provide medical-grade skincare solutions. The Anti-Aging Program includes everything you need for your skincare regime.
7 Neck Treatments to Lift and Tighten the Neck
Because your neck features delicate skin, it’s often a place that appears to age faster than the rest of the body. As skin becomes lax, sags, or develops wrinkles, it can become frustrating. The good news is that a proper skincare regime and sun protection will help to prevent premature signs of ageing. Modern skin tightening treatments can also target the neck to help you turn back the clock.
1. Botulinum Toxin
One way to tighten and lift the lower face and neck is by using botulinum toxin. It can help with the neckline and wrinkles around that region. You can specifically target the neck region and neckline to rejuvenate and lift. If you have a wrinkly or sagging neck or lack jawline definition, you may benefit from botulinum toxin on the neck.
2. Neck Lift
Naturally, one way to target the neck is with a neck lift. The surgical procedure is usually performed alongside a facelift but can be a standalone procedure. Your surgeon will remove excess skin and fat under the chin during a neck lift to create a smoother, more defined neckline. If you have serious excess sagging skin on the neck, it’s difficult to tighten it without a surgical procedure. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have other options. That’s why it’s so important to speak to an expert plastic surgeon so that you can understand your options.
3. Profhilo
You can use Profhilo to target sagging and wrinkling skin on the neck, jowls, and chest area. Profhilo is an injectable made from hyaluronic acid for skin that is losing elasticity and needs a little lift. It creates natural-looking results that can be used anywhere on the skin where you can see visible signs of ageing. If you’re looking for a long-lasting lift without surgery, then Profhilo is a good option.
4. Aqualyx
Aqualyx is a fat-dissolving injectable that you can use under the chin in the neck area. It can remove stubborn areas of fat on the face and neck. As long as you maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle, it’s a permanent way to remove fat. Once the fatty tissues are removed, they won’t come back again.
5. LED Light Therapy
LED light therapy can help to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If your main concerns with your neck are more around wrinkles, then LED light therapy may be an option. It’s not ideal if you’re dealing with excess or sagging skin, as a neck lift is usually a better solution. LED light therapy uses red and infrared light to target the skin, improve lines and wrinkles, and reduce inflammation.
6. Neck Liposuction
Neck liposuction is slightly different from a neck lift but a complementary procedure. Neck liposuction targets excess fat under the chin to create a more sculpted and defined jawline. Whereas a neck lift focuses on excess skin. A good candidate for neck liposuction has excess fat but good tone. If your skin or muscle is lax, you would likely need to combine neck liposuction with a neck lift for a total rejuvenation procedure.
7. Sculptra
Another neck treatment for sagging skin is Sculptra. For non-surgical neck rejuvenation, Sculptra encourages the body’s own collagen production. After a few treatments, your body should be producing more collagen. The result is more volume around the neck and less sagging and wrinkles on the skin. The results are not immediate, and you may need a top-up appointment. But, it’s a non-invasive way to target the skin around the neck that can deliver natural-looking results.
Other Neck Treatments to Consider to Lift and Tighten
Here are some other options to consider if you’re looking to lift and tighten the neck area.
Dermal Fillers for Neck
This is an example of a non-surgical neck treatment. It involves using effective dermal fillers supported by significant clinical research. Dermal fillers for the neck is one of the most commonly used treatments to lift and tighten the neck. This is because the results are immediate; in most cases, no recovery time is required. While it’s not a permanent solution, it can be a great alternative to surgery.
Skincare
When doing their skincare routine, most people focus on their face and neglect their neck. It is important to ensure that you do the same for the neck every time you do your skincare. This is because it is delicate and requires extra care to prevent sagging and ageing. To ensure that you provide the required care, consult a skincare expert since various anti-ageing products target the neck.
Double Chin Surgery
This is an example of a surgical neck treatment involving removing or tightening the neck skin. This can be achieved through neck lift surgery, often performed with a facelift surgery, primarily aimed to deliver a double chin treatment. It corrects a double chin by targeting the loose skin by removing it and tightening the neck muscles.
Lifestyle Tips to Retain Neck Skin Health
Lifestyle plays an important role in your overall health, including your neck skin health. Therefore, when you want to retain and improve the health of your neck skin, consider improving your lifestyle through the following lifestyle tips:
- Drink plenty of water
- Moisturise your neck skin frequently
- Eat a healthy diet
- Limit your sun exposure, and wear sunscreen on your face and neck when in the sun
- Maintain a healthy weight
The right neck treatment for you depends on your concerns and skin quality. There are several approaches to lifting and tightening the neck, so it’s important you speak to an experienced plastic surgeon to help guide you. It’s no secret that the neck can appear to age faster. By understanding your options, you can find a neck treatment that works for you.
Book a consultation today at the Harley Clinic to discuss your options. The best treatment approach depends entirely on each individual.
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