A reader recently asked us the following question: ”My neck makes me look old. Are there any non-surgical options to treat the problem?”
Our three experts each address the question below.
Jennifer Kauffman, NP-C: Yes! According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the number of non-surgical cosmetic procedures performed has inflated 747 percent in the last decade. There are many alternatives to surgery to treat lines, firm the skin and help your neck look more youthful. Often times we are so focused on our face that we forget about our neck. The neck is often the first place to look to tell someone’s true age.
One option to treat the bands and wrinkles around your neck is with an injectable such as Botox®. Botox will help relax the neck muscles and soften the lines; however, it will not tighten the skin. The entire procedure takes approximately 10 minutes and there is no downtime afterward. Many patients have it done over their lunch hour and return to work immediately after. You can expect to see results within days after your treatment. The treatment must be repeated every three to four months.
Sarah Hill, Laser Technician: A second treatment option is a laser procedure called Titan®. Titan is the first non-surgical light-based system approved by the FDA for dermal heating. It uses light energy to heat up the dermis deep beneath the skin’s surface to help tighten the skin and build new collagen. Without surgery, recovery time or injections, Titan is an all-natural option to tighten and enhance your skin tone. Any sagging skin will be tightened and fine lines and wrinkles will soften as your body begins to produce more collagen to fill in those lines. There is no downtime with this procedure. Watch this clip from “The View” of Titan being performed on the arm.
Jamie Plack, Makeup Artist: A third way to battle those neck lines and even 
“turkey neck” is by using a cream specifically for the 
neck twice a day. The No. 1 neck cream on the market today is Nectifirm by Revision. The skin on your neck is much different and more fragile than the skin on your face and requires its own unique medical skin care. Nectifirm’s peptide ingredients are designed to target the symptoms of an aging neck and not just exfoliate. It is designed to help stimulate the growth of new collagen in your neck to help your skin appear firmer and smoother. For enhanced and quicker results, apply Revision’s Revox II first and then your Nectifirm. Revox II is a blend of five anti-aging peptides that reduce the length and depth of expression lines.
Finally, using bronzer to camouflage the area is another non-surgical option. Find a matte bronzer darker than your skin tone, such as jane iredale’s So Bronze 2, and apply it with a large powder brush both along your jaw line and in a triangle shape under your chin to slim it down. Apply bronzer down the front of the neck to create shadow and the look of a smaller neck. If the bronzer has a highlighter color with it don’t use this to contour. Be sure to blend well!
We hope these various treatments provide you some non-surgical options to tackle that turkey neck. Talk to your medical skin care professional about the best plan for you. It’s never too early to start taking care of your neck!
Jennifer Kauffman is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner. She is a member of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and Coalition of Advance Practice Nurses of Indiana. Jennifer is a Clinical Instructor nationally to physicians and nurses on medical cosmetic procedures.
Sarah Hill has received specialized training with the Cutera laser technology. Sarah specializes in laser facials, laser hair removal, brown spot diffusion and skin tightening which are all performed with advanced Cutera laser technology.
Jamie Plack is a nationally trained and jane iredale certified makeup artist. She is also a part-time model and former wedding photographer, so she understands from both sides of the camera how to skillfully apply your makeup to photograph your best.
Do you have a question about this article or another cosmetic skin care issue? Please call Vein Institute & Medical Spa at 574-267-1900 to have your questions answered and considered for future blogs or simply leave a comment on our blog.
