Neck Liposuction, Neck Lift or a treatment for skin tightening for Saggy Neck

A saggy neck, often referred to as a turkey neck, is a common concern for many individuals. This condition can be attributed to a combination of factors, including ageing, genetics, and lifestyle choices.

As we age, the skin on our neck loses its elasticity and firmness, leading to a saggy appearance.  The muscles in the neck can also weaken over time, causing the skin to droop and sag. This sagging neck can make a person look older than they actually are, and it can also affect their self-confidence. Understanding the underlying causes of a turkey neck is the first step towards finding the right treatment to regain a more youthful appearance.

Benefits:

• Targets excess fat: Neck liposuction can remove fat deposits in the neck. If your skin has good skin laxity this can be a good choice.
• Minimal scarring: Liposuction involves small incisions, resulting in less noticeable scars.
• Quick recovery: Generally, recovery time is shorter compared to more invasive procedures such as a neck lift.

Risks:

• Uneven results: Liposuction might not address loose skin, leading to uneven or disappointing outcomes. However, at Kensington Medical our expert facial Cosmetic Surgeon will be able to assess whether lipo or combined liposuction and neck lift is required.
• Numbness: generally, this is a temporary effect.
• Bruising and swelling can occur but generally they subside.

Benefits:

• Addresses sagging skin and muscles: A neck lift tightens loose skin and muscles, providing a more comprehensive solution.
• Long-lasting results: Generally, a neck lift lasts 10 to 15 years depending on your lifestyle factors. Results can be more pronounced compared to liposuction, especially for skin tightening.
• Customisable: A good plastic surgeon will ensure that jowls will be addressed.

Risks:

• Scarring: A neck lift involves more incisions, there is a risk of scar, however most are well hidden.
• Longer recovery: Recovery time is longer compared to neck liposuction.
• Possible complications: As with all surgery, there are risks, such as infection or adverse reactions to anaesthesia.

Possible alternative to a neck left:

In some cases where the sagging neck is not very lax, the plastic surgeon may decide that a lower facelift might give a better result than a neck lift. In this instance, a lower face lift or jowl lift may be recommended. 

What are the benefits of a radio frequency treatment such as Ultherapy or Morpheus8 for skin tightening to the neck, jowl and chin/jawline area.

Benefits:

• Non-Invasive Skin Tightening: Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen production, which can lead to skin tightening. This however is minimal and not long lasting.
• Targets specific layers of the skin without having to have surgery.
• No Downtime: There is minimal downtime, which means people can resume normal activities shortly after treatment.

Risks, downside and duration of results:

• Temporary Side Effects: Mild redness, swelling, or tingling may occur temporarily after the procedure.
• Discomfort: It can cause discomfort during the treatment, but this is usually manageable. Many say it feels like a plastic band being flicked on the skin.
• Variable Results: Results can vary and multiple sessions might be required for optimal outcomes.
• Cost: Ultherapy is an expensive treatment that minimally tightens the skin and that does not last more than 12-18 months, maintenance treatments are required. If you are looking for a more youthful result for sagging neck skin with long-lasting results, then a neck lift is the better option. On a cost to long-lasting results ratio, a neck lift wins every time.

Benefits:

• Fractional RF Microneedling: Combines radiofrequency with microneedling for enhanced collagen stimulation and skin tightening.
• It can be adjusted to target different depths, focusing on both the superficial and deeper skin concerns.
• Collagen Production: Promotes collagen remodelling, improving skin texture and firmness.

Risks, downside and duration of results:

• Some redness, swelling, and pinpoint bleeding may occur, but generally they subside within a few days.
• Pigmentation Changes: In rare cases, there may be temporary changes in skin pigmentation.
• Potential for Discomfort: Discomfort during the procedure is possible, but topical anaesthesia is usually applied to minimise this.
• Variable: Results can vary, and maintenance treatments are recommended every 6-12 months to sustain the benefits. The tightening effect is not a strong tightening effect. It is therefore not recommended for a saggy neck. If you have a fatty neck, it is not recommended. On a cost to long lasting ratio a neck lift is the best option.

Botox and fillers are popular non-surgical treatments for neck rejuvenation. Do they work?

Botox can be used to relax the muscles in the neck, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This treatment can help smooth out the neck area, giving it a more youthful appearance. Fillers, such as hyaluronic acid, can be used to add some volume and improve skin texture, it does not really reduce the appearance of sagging skin.

These treatments can be used alone or in combination with other treatments, such as neck creams and exercises, to achieve a more youthful appearance. Non-surgical treatments like Botox and fillers offer a less invasive option for those looking to rejuvenate their neck without undergoing surgery.

If however, the skin is loose and the wrinkles are pronouced, with neck bands then facial plastic surgery is an optiion worth explolring to achieve long lasting results and a more youthful look. 

• If excess fat is the main concern, neck liposuction or micro lipo may be the right solution. However, if you have a saggy neck and feel it needs a more rejuvenated look, that includes skin tightening then a neck lift might save you a lot of time and ultimately money in the long run.
• Skin tightening technologies such as Ultherapy or Morpheus8 only give a minimal tightening effect and do not last more than 6-12 -18 months depending on the technology. On a cost to result and long lasting ratio a neck lift or combined liposuction and neck lift will win every time.

Deciding between a surgical option such as neck or double chin liposuction, a neck lift surgery or a non-surgical option such as Ultherapy or Morpheus8 involves weighting up the timelines, benefits and long-term outcomes. In some cases, a short term, minimal tightening effect can be all that is needed. However, for more dramatic and long lasting results a neck lift or a combination of neck lift and liposuction can give the rejuvenated result that will make you feel 10-15 years younger. It can also often remove the jowl effect leading to a much more defined jawline and a more youthful appearance.

If you are not sure what is the best option, a consultation with an expert facial plastic surgeon will ensure you have all the information required to make an informed choice.  During the consultation your plastic surgeon will cover your lifestyle factors, look at skin laxity and fatty neck deposits, asses your medical history, find out about timelines especially if you have a date in mind. They will show you before and after photos and discuss risks and recovery and our special after care. 

Making a decision and ensuring you are comfortable with the surgeon are paramount. At Kensington Medical our plastic surgeons have decades of experience.

To book a consultation to find out more and to see if you are suitable please phone 0204 551 4892 or fill in the form.

Visit out pages to learn more about our neck & chin liposuction, lower facelift & jowl lift or neck lift procedures.

For further information, see our videos by Mr David Gateley, Plastic Surgeon.

To find out more about Kensignton Medial, our expert facial Plastic Surgeons, our 5 star hospitals and quality care and why we work so hard to follow our values, visit about us here.