Most people believe that the problem with an aging neck is excess fat. When excess fat is the only issue, spot liposuction under the chin and along the jawline is the most effective way to improve the appearance. This is easily accomplished through two poke hole incisions behind the earlobes. This takes from 20 minutes to 40 minutes to perform and can be done under local anesthesia.
However, tightness of the neck muscles and bulging of the muscles are the most common problems as people age. The neck muscle (called the platysma) contracts every time a person eats and talks. The constant flexing of this muscle over the course of several decades changes the shape of the muscle and creates the loss of definition typical of the aging neck. Many people feel that they must be accumulating fat in this area with time. In actuality, there is often minimal to no change in the fat layer, only a change in the muscle shape beneath the skin and fat.
In the early stages of this process, Botox can selectively prevent the neck muscles from bulging and slow down the aging process. This is done in a way that does not affect speech or chewing. However, at advanced stages of muscle bulging, the muscle needs to be repositioned through a surgical procedure. No laser procedure, ultrasound procedure or skin care regimen will have an effect on the muscle fibers themselves. Neck exercises only build up the muscle fibers and promote the cosmetic deformity further.
A neck lift is a surgical procedure needed to correct bulging neck muscles. This is done through an incision placed behind the ear and under the chin. The bulging muscles are returned to their original youthful position without many incisions placed on the face or in front of the ear.
It is a complete fallacy that a facelift is necessary to improve the appearance of the neck when surgery is required. In reality, the skin of the neck is a passive bystander to the changes happening underneath. The skin simply does not stretch and loosen unless there is some fundamental structural change underneath the skin. In younger patients, liposuction of the neck and softening of the bulging neck muscles with Botox will address the deeper issue. The skin will contract down to the new shape. Older patients who have had years of stretched out skin from either fat accumulation or muscle malposition will require excess skin to be removed as part of the neck lift procedure.
Isolated skin tightening procedures such as laser, chemical peels, ultrasound therapy simply cannot address the underlying fat or muscle issues. Consequently, there will be absolutely no change in the contours of the neck. However, the skin texture may be improved from these procedures.
Fat, muscle and skin… three things that need to be treated differently in each and every person. During your consultation, be sure to find out the “deeper” reason behind your aging neck.
Advanced Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery offers the newest and most sophisticated cosmetic surgery procedures for men and women of all ages, including neck and facelifts, eyelid surgery, rhinoplasty (nose surgery), liposuction, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck), breast augmentation, reduction or reconstruction, as well as Botox, Juvederm and other injectable fillers. Our offices are located in the Fairfield County, CT towns of Danbury, New Milford, Norwalk, Ridgefield, and Southbury.