Neck and Chin

The neck is an aesthetically important area of the face, and may be as important as the face in revealing one’s age. The neck is subject to many aging changes such as loss of collagen and elastin, accumulation of fat, and from external factors such as ultraviolet radiation. The neck and the décolletage are particularly prone to premature ageing because they are prone to increased sun exposure.

Traditionally, neck rejuvenation has been performed surgically to help to reposition lax skin, reduce wrinkles, and to reduce redundant fatty tissues. Non-surgical neck rejuvenation has both an additive role to surgery and is also a strong alternative to surgery. Non-surgical procedures can also address the skin texture of the neck and décolletage whereas surgical procedures are unable to address this issue.

With an increasing need for minimally invasive procedures with little or no downtime, there has been a trend towards non-surgical neck rejuvenation.

Vertical neck bands

Vertical neck bands are caused by changes in the platysma muscle which is the band of muscles from the collar bone to the jawline and can normally be seen when the teeth are clenched hard. This muscle, with time, can separate into bands and this can be aesthetically undesirable.

Anti-wrinkle injections with neurotoxin can be injected into these bands to help flatten them. Anti-wrinkle injections can also be injected into the areas where bands are not present to help reduce the downward pull of the platysma muscle on the face. A resulting lift in the face can often result. In addition to stopping the platysmal bands from forming, some injections can be placed along the jawline to help stop the pull of these muscles on the face and therefore help to lift the face.

Another alternative is an office based procedure where the neck bands are physically separated under local numbing anaesthetic.

Horizontal neck Lines

Horizontal neck lines are creases in the skin of the neck caused by movement of the neck which creases the skin over time.

These lines can be treated with anti-wrinkle injections, although the success of this procedure is low. A more effective treatment for these lines is with specialized dermal fillers like Restylane Vital. Depending on the size of the line, an appropriate dermal filler can be injected into the lines to help fill them out. Skin tightening with AntiLax machine using infrared laser and radiofrequency energy is ideal for those not too deep neck lines. Normally 3 to 5 sessions are recommended and the results are long lasting.