Your neck is your new jawline. Here are some treatments recommended by experts
Courtesy of Secret Aesthetics
In terms of beauty obsessions, the neck is the new jawline. Everyone now desires the swan-like, wrinkle-free arches that have been adorned by poets and artists for centuries. A simple Google search for “aging neck” will bring up a barrage of proposed solutions and treatments. While generally beneficial to health and well-being if done correctly, home remedies such as gua sha and almond oil massages, and holistic approaches to weight management through dietary modification are unlikely to deliver the immediate results that many hope for.
“As we age, the framework underneath the skin (such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid) naturally breaks down and becomes more susceptible to the effects of gravity, causing sagging skin and wrinkling,” says Zoya Awan, founder of Secret Aesthetics in Harvey Nichols, Birmingham. “The neck and jaw are particularly prone to showing these signs of ageing, resulting in the so-called ‘turkey neck’ or ‘neckband’ (also known as platysma band) appearance.”
The aging neck can have a variety of problems, from horizontal lines to sagging skin and wrinkles, and experts say it is very difficult to treat the neck without surgery. However, there are many effective and safe ways to address the issues in this area and get the best possible results in a timely manner.
Lipolytic injections can be used to improve neck sagging
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Best known for erasing wrinkles, Botox is often used to weaken or paralyze certain muscles (for 3-6 months) to achieve the desired results. Dr Zoya offers a neck rejuvenation package that can treat these issues in one session with controlled Botox injections that target the supporting muscles in the neck and under the chin, creating the effect of a mini neck lift. According to Dr Zoya, depending on the severity, it can also be combined with other treatments such as dermal fillers and Profilo, but she always encourages her patients to try and see the results of one treatment at a time.
Dr Mahasa Salekhi, founder of London’s renowned aesthetic salon SAS, says treating the neck depends on the distribution of fatty tissue: “If the patient has a double chin, we start with three to six sessions of lipolysis, then use one to three sessions of Morpheus 8 to tighten the skin.” Because Morpheus 8 can dissolve fat, it often provides structural support to sagging skin, so Dr Mahasa usually takes a patient’s fat volume into account during consultations.
To specifically address wrinkles and muscle hyperplasia in the neck, Dr. Martha has developed a toxin treatment called the Nefertiti Neck Lift. “The treatment involves the use of a very fine needle to administer a series of extremely precise tiny injections. The injections contain a substance called botulinum toxin A, a protein that works to block the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine,” Dr. Martha explains, adding that the procedure stops the muscles from contracting. “When small amounts of botulinum toxin A are injected, it relaxes the fine muscles in the neck and jaw, which in turn tightens the overlying skin, reduces the appearance of fine lines and improves jawline contour.”
Another energy-based device, the Lynton Focus Dual, differs from the SofwaveTM in that it combines HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound) and RF (radio frequency) microneedling, providing two complementary treatment options in one device.
“RF microneedling involves penetrating thin needles at a controlled depth into the skin. Radiofrequency energy is then released into the skin, stimulating the natural healing process and encouraging collagen and elastin synthesis in the body. It also speeds up cell turnover,” explains Dr Ariel Haus, founder of Dr Haus Dermatology, a private dermatology practice on London’s upmarket Harley Street. “HIFU then targets the deepest layer of the skin, the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), to stimulate collagen production and cause contraction to tighten and lift the skin. All this while avoiding damage to other areas.”
Linton Focus Dual used by estheticians
Courtesy of Lynton Focus Dual
For best results, one to three Focus Dual treatments spaced three to six weeks apart are recommended. Skin concerns and treatment options will be discussed during your consultation. Dr. House explains that Focus Dual not only tightens, lifts and firms the skin, but it can also be used to improve the overall texture of the skin and reduce acne and traumatic scarring.
Dr Sindhu Siddiqui, founder of No Filter Clinic, based in Kensington, London, recommends the non-invasive ultrasound method using SofwaveTM for neck lifting and tightening. Innovatively stimulating new collagen production to revitalize skin, SofwaveTM’s state-of-the-art synchronized ultrasound collimated beam technology is FDA cleared for the treatment of facial lines and wrinkles, brow lifting and lifting loose submental tissue (under the chin) and neck tissue.
For patients looking for immediate results with no downtime, a single SofwaveTM treatment session takes just 30-45 minutes and can cover the entire face and neck. Results are immediate after one week, but as the collagen regeneration process can take up to 12 weeks, it is common to see gradual improvements within three months of treatment.
Once the skin has sagged beyond a certain point, non-surgical means are no longer able to effectively remove or reverse the signs of aging. The Deep Neck Lift, a surgical neck lift procedure performed by Dr. George Orphaniotis at the Cadogan Clinic, is typically indicated for patients who have symptoms or signs of neck heaviness, such as a prominent platysma band or excess deep (subplatysma) fat that makes liposuction impossible. This surgery is usually performed through an additional incision in the submental area (under the chin) to access the anterior digastric muscle and submandibular gland. “During a Deep Neck Lift procedure, we often reduce and tighten the digastric muscle to smooth the contour of the floor of the mouth,” Dr. George says of the intricacies of this procedure. “In some patients, the lower part of the submandibular gland may become enlarged or very ptotic as they age, which can make the gland more visible after surgery. Therefore, these patients may benefit from a submandibular gland reduction procedure.”
For those looking to avoid medical cosmetic procedures or maintain long-term post-treatment results, GF5 Growth Factor Serum is a new innovation that promises to reverse signs of aging and repair existing damage by initiating essential repair processes.
Used by the UK’s top dermatology and beauty clinics, Cellderma’s new flagship product contains highly concentrated five unique growth factors that are bioidentical to the life-giving growth factors found in human placenta. Other ingredients such as Vitamin B9 support and enhance the efficacy of the growth factors, while neuropeptides help to minimise and prevent the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
