Feel good about your neck with non-surgical options

Hello Beautiful,

Let’s face it; we want our necks back. At least I do. I long for that defined jawline I once had. Maybe I can’t recapture my hippy dippy days with braids and flowers in my hair, but I can get rid of my wattle, my bands, and my flabby, wrinkled skin that stands between my shoulders and my chin. And so can you!

Everyone’s neck is different. Extra fat, prominent muscle bands, and saggy, crepey skin, make a one size fits all treatment impossible. That’s why it’s important to know what’s available, understand how it works, and discuss the procedure and outcomes with your physician.

We all want the quick fix, but often the easy way out leads to more time and money spent trying to recapture the profile of our youth. The new non-invasive treatments are exciting and may be just what the doctor orders, but making the right diagnosis is the only way to determine the best treatment.

The latest trends in the non-surgical arena include a new injectable called Kybella. Kybella dissolves the fat that accumulates underneath the chin. Expect mild swelling and more than one treatment to achieve the best results.

Another non-surgical option is Botox.                                                              (Are you thinking what I’m thinking: What doesn’t Botox do?!)  Botox injections are most effective in thin necks with prominent muscle bands, and the effects last up to four months.

A minimally invasive treatment that has the plastic surgery world all a twitter is the use of ultrasound or the VASER. A small wand placed underneath the skin dissolves fat and modestly tightens the skin. The VASER has a mild recovery and requires an anesthetic for a pain-free experience.

When several areas of the neck are a problem such as crepey skin, muscle laxity, and fat, a neck lift is your best bet. A small incision made underneath the chin allows the removal of fat and the tightening of the neck muscle. However, when loose skin is also a problem, a second incision is required to remove the excess skin to achieve your desired look.

Sometimes fixing the neck isn’t all that you need. Like our friend Nora said, “It’s all one big ball of wax. If you tighten up the neck, you’ve also got to tighten up the face.” Be prepared to consider the possibility that to achieve the best result you might have to address that big ball of wax, your neck and face at the same time.

Now that you’ve got the goods about your neck make today the day you stop feeling bad about it. I am.

Love, Libby

Send your comments and questions to Libby@orlandoai.com.