necks are special
A special note about necks. They show crepiness, big time. Even more than decollete. The skin of the neck has very little in the way of nurturing pores and oil glands, like the chest. But the neck ages faster probably because of 2 other factors. One is that the neck is almost always exposed to the elements, like sun, wind, and extremes of temperatures. The second factor is movement. The neck is always nodding, bending, flexing, stretching and twisting. The constant movement takes its toll, wearing down the skin, breaking down collagen, elastin, etching in lines and wrinkles. The neck also shows laxity early on, laxity is just the consequence of loss of collagen and elastin in combination with the pull of gravity. Eventually the result is a saggy and crepey neck.
The ultimate treatment for a saggy neck is, of course, the neck lift. This is a surgical procedure usually done with a lower face lift. It has all of the negatives (long recovery, complications and less than perfect outcomes) that come with any surgery. The results though can be hard to achieve with less invasive procedures, but…..we can get close!
Neck before and after 3 treatments with radiofrequency microneedling and topical Sculptra.
Biostimulants- these are injected under the skin of the neck and they stimulate collagen production. Sculptra and Radiesse are the most common biostimulants use for this purpose. Both Sculptra and Radiesse are commonly used to increase volume on the face. When the goal is NOT increased volume, but is improved skin tone, texture and firmness, then we dilute the product to avoid the increase volume. The result can be remarkable in 3 simple in office treatments over 3 months. Results last a year or two and maintenance treatments are a must.
Neuromodulators-Botox is the most common of these but also Dysport, Xeomin, Jeuveau and Daxxify are also available. These are basically muscle relaxants that reduce the pull of neck muscles that can cause those “old lady” neck cords that give away age. Treatment is fast and easy and last 3 or f months.
Skin tightening-ultrasound (Ultherapy, Sofwave) and radiofrequency (Thermage) are the best ways to noninvasively tightin the skin. Both technologies work by creating heat in the skin. With the right amount of heat, collagen will shrink (think wool sweater in the dryer). This is a subtle immediate response which then triggers a more meaningful result over several months due to increased collagen production.
Radiofrequency Microneedling (RFMN)-This is a relatively newer technique that combines the radiofrequency tightening energy with microneedles that can deliver the energy into the skin. Generally 3 treatments a month apart are very satisfying in terms of neck improvement. Topical application of Sculptra or PRP with RFMN can give very nice combination results (see photo above)
Combinations of these treatments are really the best way to approach a vexing problem like saggy neck!
AND you need skin care designed for this very unique area, not face and not quite body it needs to be treated differently.
Good ones to try: SkinMedica Neck Correct, Alastin Restorative Neck Complex, Neocutis Neck Cream and Body Firm CrepeErase.
And, of course, don’t forget sunscreen. Your neck especially needs daily protection from harmful UV rays.