When we think about doing procedures or using products to look younger, most often we focus on treating our face, but the neck is becoming more and more of a priority for men and women in search of looking as young as they feel. There are many issues to address of an aging neck and they seem to start even before signs of facial aging. Dr. Nicole Norris of Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in Peru, IL is here to answer all our questions on non-surgical options for neck rejuvenation.
Why does the neck seem to age sooner than the face? “The skin of the neck is the thinnest of our entire body which makes it more prone to signs of aging. We often apply sunscreen and other anti-aging products to our faces daily but forget to include the neck. Also, the skin of our neck is more affected by gravity because it is so thin. Some people are also burdened by a genetic fat pad under the chin where they store fat which becomes larger as they get older. Tech Neck is a condition that causes pre-mature deep creases in the neck which is caused by looking down at smartphones, tablets, and laptops. A defined jawline supported by a smooth lineless neck is a common request by my patients, young and old!”
What do you tell patients who want a younger-looking neck? “First we have to discuss what it is that they don’t like about their neck. Usually, the issue is either loose skin, fat along the jawline, or deep lines. I tell my patients that no matter what procedure we decide is best for their neck, they must treat their neck at home with the same care as their face. When patients come for a neck consult, we often start a topical neck cream. Medical-grade neck creams are made specifically for the thin skin of the neck and include a moisturizer and serums to improve the skin. Daily sunscreen SPF 30 or above is also key in rejuvenating the neck.”
What non-surgical procedures treat loose skin of the neck? “Mild to moderate loose skin of the neck is treated best with Radiofrequency heat energy. The device we use is called TempSure and is the most powerful available. The treatment is not painful and there is no downtime. It does require multiple treatments, on average 3-4 approximately one month apart. Moderate loose skin may also require a PDO Thread neck lift. This is a non-surgical procedure done in my office that involves putting sutures under the skin to physically lift the skin while the polydioxanone (PDO) further smooths the skin. This is a procedure that can by done when you are not quite ready for a surgical neck lift.
When fat along the jaw line is a patient’s main problem, what can you offer them? “Warmsculpting with our SculpSure Laser is the best treatment for this. This is a 25-minute treatment with no down-time that will permanently destroy an average of 25% of the fat in the treated area. The main focus of the treatment is usually a “double chin” (fat pad directly under the chin) but the heat diffuses along the entire jaw line making it more defined. On average, most patients see the results they want after two treatments about six weeks apart.”
How do you treat horizontal lines of the neck? “I call these “necklace lines”. They are most often caused but chronic flexion of the neck to look at our beloved electronic devices which is why some refer to this condition as Tech Neck! They can safely be softened with Botox or Filler depending how deep they are. These are both procedures that I inject medication (Botox or Filler) along the lines with a small needle. There is minimal discomfort and no downtime. Botox may need to be repeated in 3-6 months and dermal Filler will last about a year.
Come in for your NEW YEAR, NEW NECK Consultation with Dr. Norris at Nicole Norris MD Medical Spa in January 2021 and your consultation fee will go toward your procedure. If the procedure you choose to treat your neck concern, is over $500 save 20% in January!
