Although overlooked by many people, neck skin holds particular importance in routine skin care. A smooth and taut skin surface on the neck complements your facial beauty like nothing else.
And like facial skin, neck skin endures the impact of aging and the environment, which can lead to wrinkles, sagginess, and more prominent neck bands. These problems are often treated with neck lift surgery, which may lead to significant downtime and a heightened risk of infections.
But is that all you can do to firm and smoothen your neck skin?
Luckily, the answer is NO. You can choose from several non-surgical options to reduce the aging impact on your neck area. These options, many of which are non-invasive, come with zero risk of infections and deliver noticeable results.
In this blog post, we will briefly explain these options by discussing their salient features, so read on.
Table of Contents
Non-Surgical Treatment Options for Saggy Neck Skin
Here is a list of cosmetic procedures used frequently to treat the aging impact on neck skin. These non-surgical treatments target sagginess and other aging signs to give you a healthier, tauter, more youthful neck skin appearance. And the best part is that these procedures do not lead to downtime and complications usually associated with neck lift surgery.
Botox
Botox injections are an effective treatment for wrinkles on the neck. These injections are administered in specific areas of the neck, including around neck bands. The purpose is to curb the muscle movement responsible for the downward pulling of the neck skin.
Botox is administered using very thin needles, causing little to no pain during the procedure. It is a quick treatment that takes much less time than many other neck rejuvenating procedures. You may need multiple treatments spaced 3-4 months apart for best results.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment for neck rejuvenation generally involves using a fractional CO2 laser. It is an advanced treatment providing numerous benefits, such as skin contraction, textural improvements, and collagen production.
When a fractionated laser is directed to the skin, it induces controlled tissue damage, creating microchannels that extend through the top skin layer to the dermis. The tissues around these channels remain intact. This treatment boosts keratinocyte production in the untreated surrounding tissues, accelerating the healing process in the treated microchannels. It brings significant improvement in skin texture and firmness.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are an effective neck rejuvenation treatment. They are generally used in the jawline to boost collagen growth. They use hyaluronic acid to restore neck volume, making them look plumper. And while injecting in the neck, the doctor may use a blunt-tipped cannula to administer the filler.
Dermal fillers for neck rejuvenation are available with brand names such as Juvederm, Bellafill, Radiesse, Sculptra, and Restylane. All these dermal fillers help reduce wrinkles and fine lines and give the neck appropriate volume.
Kybella
Kybella is an injection-based, FDA-approved prescription medication used to reduce fat under the chin, commonly referred to as a double chin. The primary ingredient of this medication is synthetic deoxycholic acid, a naturally occurring acid that helps with the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat.
Kybella injections are generally administered under the chin to destroy fat cells and give the chin and neck a slimmer profile.
According to a study published in the SCMS Journal, Kybella is a one-time treatment comprising multiple sessions spaced one month apart. It reduces submental fat to help patients get rid of their double chin appearance. The cells destroyed with this treatment lose their ability to hold fat, meaning that the treated area will be less likely to accumulate fat in the future.
The same study further suggests that Kybella treatment can be combined with other treatments like ultrasound or radiofrequency therapy to tighten the skin in the treated region.
Radiofrequency with Microneedling
RF microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that combines radiofrequency and microneedling to reduce wrinkles, sagginess, and other aging signs on the neck and face. This treatment uses a handheld device with a tip equipped with numerous ultra-fine micro-needles. These needles pierce the neck skin and release radiofrequency energy, which transforms into heat to trigger a healing response in order to reduce:
- Wrinkles
- Crepe texture of the skin
- Folds and deep creases
- Hyperpigmentation or discoloration
Ultherapy
Ultherapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to trigger collagen and elastin production to produce results similar to a neck lift. This treatment also reduces wrinkles and fine lines and tightens the skin around the chin and neck. It is an FDA-approved treatment that delivers desirable results without many risks and side effects.
During an ultherapy session, a practitioner uses a hand-held module against the skin. This module releases ultrasound energy that focuses on a predetermined skin depth. This allows the treatment provider to deliver just the right amount of energy to the targeted skin layer.
Ultherapy primarily triggers collagen production, which may take 2-3 months to show noticeable results. It is imperative to speak to your doctor to know what to expect from this treatment.
Final Thoughts
Aging takes its toll on your neck and face by affecting the appearance of the skin surface there. However, the above-mentioned treatments can help keep your neck skin rejuvenated and youthful. Nonetheless, consulting a practitioner with particular expertise is essential to fully benefit from these treatments.