Neck Lift, Submentoplasty and Playsmaplasty:
I often see patients who are unhappy with the age related changes that have occurred in their neck. Often I am told that the changes happened literally overnight. What do patients notice? Mainly three things: first, skin changes – either a change in the texture and appearance of the skin or a change in the amount and tightness of the skin; second, muscle changes which manifest as cords and “banding” in the neck; and third, subcutaneous fat changes which manifests as heaviness in the neck. Different people age at different rates depending on genetic makeup (intrinsic factors) and other variables such as sun exposure, weight fluctuation, smoking, etc. (extrinsic factors).
Non surgical treatments of the aging neck are limited to fractionated laser skin resurfacing which will give mild improvement in skin texture. Many of the non surgical modalities offered and marketed as aging neck treatment options will leave the patient disappointed.
Surgical treatments remain the gold standard for the aging neck. With significant skin excess, the only way to adequately tighten it is to remove it via a neck lifting procedure. Muscular bands and cords under the skin must be either pulled back and tightened (part of the necklift), sutured forward and tightened (submentoplasty or platysmaplasty) or both. Removing fat at the same time using liposuction further improves the result. In all cases, down time is minimized and incisions are inconspicuously placed behind the ear, in the hairline and, if necessary, in existing creases under the chin and in front of the ear.
Further information, including before and after photographs, are found by clicking through on the following links: https://doctordenton.com/surgical-procedures/facelift/ and https://doctordenton.com/surgical-procedures/facial-liposuction/