“Neck bands” refer to the vertical strips of muscle on the sides of the neck. As the skin begins to thin and collagen and elastin production diminishes, these platysmal bands become more visible through the skin. This often creates the appearance of a “double chin” or excess, sagging skin in the submental area, commonly known as a “turkey neck.” Whether caused by fat buildup, a loss of muscle support, skin laxity, or a combination of all these factors, signs of aging in the neck typically require facial rejuvenation treatments to improve. Potential treatment options include:
- Neck Lift: A neck lift is among the most effective procedures to address a loss of tone in the neck. By removing excess skin and restoring support for weakened musculature, neck lift surgery can resculpt the area to provide a sleeker, sharper look.
- Neck Liposuction: If facial fat buildup is your main concern, liposuction in the neck may be enough to remove excess fat cells and enjoy a slimmer appearance. This typically involves a minimally invasive procedure with relatively little downtime compared to other cosmetic procedures. Please keep in mind that appropriate candidates for this procedure by itself must have good elasticity of the skin and muscle. Therefore, good candidates are usually younger populations with familial/genetically full submental fat pockets.
- RadiaLift: RadiaLift offers an integrative, all-encompassing approach to neck recontouring for patients who would like a more harmonious result. Developed by Dr. Sepehr himself, RadiaLift takes the entirety of the face (for example, jaw structure and chin projection) into account rather than focusing on neck skin laxity in isolation. When it comes to smoothing the neck, RadiaLift allows Dr. Sepehr to create a stepwise treatment plan to achieve more natural, holistic results.
- Non-Surgical Options: There are certainly options to refresh the neck without surgery, but keep in mind that these in-office treatments only offer temporary results and may not provide the level of neck rejuvenation you’re seeking. That said, laser skin resurfacing using aesthetic CO2 lasers can help improve skin elasticity to renew the tone and texture of the neck skin. Furthermore, BOTOX® or Dysport® can be used to decrease the appearance of neck bands in appropriate candidates who have a hyperactive platysma muscle. After examining your concerns in person, Dr. Sepehr can give you a better idea of whether non-surgical treatments are enough to achieve your goals.
Dr. Ali Sepehr is a facial plastic surgeon in Newport Beach who can evaluate the factors causing an aging neck, and develop an appropriate treatment plan to provide a more youthful facial profile. Contact OC Facial Plastic Surgery today to learn about our effective facial rejuvenation services, or to book a consultation with Dr. Sepehr.
