While many people focus their anti-aging treatments on the face, loose, sagging skin on the neck can also make you look older than your years. Because neck skin is thinner and often neglected when it comes to sun protection and skincare habits, it can begin to show changes long before you expect them. Fortunately, treatments like a surgical neck lift can turn back the clock.
This blog will cover the causes of loose neck skin and rejuvenation options, including surgery, to create a more youthful appearance.
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At What Age Does Your Neck Start Sagging?
Signs of aging on the neck can appear even before telltale lines begin to form in earnest on the face, as early as the late 20s or 30s for some people. Faint horizontal lines and the slightest hint of skin laxity belie the neglect the neck area often suffers during youth. Significant changes usually occur after 40, but many people find that loose skin, jowl formation, and horizontal neck banding become troublesome enough to seek treatment soon after their 40th birthday.
Why is My Neck Sagging at 40?
When the dreaded “turkey neck” appears in midlife, people often wonder what factors lead to these early-aging symptoms. There are numerous causes of sagging neck skin, including:
The Aging Process
Like it or not, our bodies experience changes over time that can lead to visible signs of aging. Collagen, an essential protein our bodies produce in abundance during our youth, begins to decline as early as our late 20s, leading to skin laxity and the formation of wrinkles on the neck and other areas.
UV Exposure
The sun’s damaging UV rays can break down collagen and elastin fibers, contributing to skin sagging. Even if we are faithful about applying sunscreen to our faces to ward off signs of aging, our necks are often left forgotten and vulnerable to sun exposure.
Weight Fluctuations
Weight changes take their toll on the skin, leading to a loss of elasticity and sagging over time. Those changes can affect any area of the skin, including the neck. In fact, the thinner skin on the neck can be more prone to skin laxity due to weight loss and gain.
Lifestyle Choices
An unhealthy diet deprives the skin of essential nutrients, thereby accelerating the decline in collagen levels. Dehydration, excessive alcohol use, and smoking can also take their toll, resulting in early skin sagging and an aged appearance as early as our late 30s or early 40s.
Treatment Options for a Sagging Neck
There are options for rejuvenating an aging neck, based on the extent of damage and the results you hope to achieve:
- BOTOX® Cosmetic: Neuromodulators like BOTOX® Cosmetic relax the neck muscles to smooth away horizontal banding.
- Laser Resurfacing: These treatments remove or ablate damaged surface tissue, revealing smoother, more youthful skin below.
- Fractional Lasers: These devices trigger your body’s natural healing processes, boosting collagen production for natural improvement.
Dr. Butler often recommends these treatments to patients with early signs of aging, such as fine lines and mild skin laxity. When loose skin becomes more severe, surgical treatments typically yield the best results.
Surgical Treatments for Loose Neck Skin
Dr. Butler recommends surgical neck lifts for patients who wish to address significant skin sagging that creates the dreaded “turkey neck” and jowl formation along the jawline. This surgery offers numerous benefits, including:
- Removes sagging skin
- Eliminates fine lines and wrinkles
- Creates a more contoured jawline
- Smooths neck contours
- Increases your confidence in your appearance
Dr. Butler performs neck lifts under local or general anesthesia, so patients experience no discomfort during the procedure. He creates small incisions, usually behind the ear and under the chin, that leave little visible scarring. If submental fat (fat beneath the chin) is a concern, Dr. Butler can perform liposuction during the procedure to remove unwanted fat. He can also place an implant to define the neck and jawline when appropriate.
Discover Your Options in Neck Lifts in Santa Monica, CA
Dr. David Butler is a double board-certified plastic surgeon specializing in facial and neck rejuvenation procedures. To learn more about your Santa Monica neck lift options, call our office at (310) 428-0033 or complete our online contact form.