Taking care of aging skin isn’t just about your face. Your neck also shows signs of aging from things like sun exposure, environmental factors, and lifestyle habits.
Many people worry about wrinkles and sagging skin on their neck and under the chin. But fixing loose skin often means surgery, which can be risky.
That’s why some people opt for a nonsurgical option called a “neck lift” to improve their skin’s appearance.
Let’s explore the upsides and downsides of nonsurgical neck lifts, along with some different types of procedures you can choose from.
Benefits of Nonsurgical Neck Lifts
Surgical neck lifts are seen as the top choice for getting rid of extra skin, tightening loose skin, and smoothing out neck bands. In 2019, about 55,000 folks had surgical neck lifts.
But more and more people are leaning towards non-surgical options to improve their skin without surgery. These minimally invasive treatments aren’t as drastic as surgery, but they still offer benefits.
They can help:
- Improve skin tone and texture
- Reduce wrinkles and neck folds
- Make your neck look younger and more defined
Here are a few other perks of nonsurgical treatments compared to surgery:
- Faster Recovery: Recovery times for many non-surgical neck lift procedures range from a few hours to a few days. Side effects are usually minor, like redness, swelling, or tenderness at the injection site.
- Shorter Procedure: Non-surgical procedures typically take 30 to 90 minutes, whereas surgery can last several hours.
- Lower Cost: Surgical neck lifts can cost around $5,100, while non-surgical procedures range from $400 to $2,000, depending on the treatment.
- Fewer Risks: Non-surgical procedures don’t require general anesthesia or big incisions, so they’re generally safer for your health.
Types of Nonsurgical Neck Lifts
Here are some common nonsurgical options to help reduce signs of aging in the neck, although there are more options available:
Botox
Botox injections, using botulinum toxin type A, can smooth out wrinkles by relaxing muscles in the neck.
It’s almost painless, needs little to no downtime, and is quick. You should expect to pay around $400 per session, which typically needs to be repeated every 3 to 4 months for lasting results.
Fractionated Ablative Laser Treatment
This treatment works like aerating a lawn, treating a portion of the skin while leaving surrounding areas untouched for faster healing.
Lasers like erbium or carbon dioxide (CO2) can boost skin texture, tighten it, and encourage new collagen growth. It usually requires topical anesthesia and sometimes additional anesthesia for comfort. Studies show it’s effective for moderate aging, but results may vary for mild or severe cases.
Downtime can be up to 10 days with moderate wound care needed, and it costs around $2,000 on average.
Kybella
For people with excess chin and upper neck fat, Kybella might be recommended to improve neck shape.
Kybella contains deoxycholic acid, which breaks down fat cells when injected.
The treatment lasts about 30 minutes, with fast recovery, though you may have swelling or redness at the injection site for a few days.
Results show up in 4 to 6 weeks, and Kybella costs around $1,100 per session. You might need up to four sessions for optimal results.
Injectable Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers like Bellafill, Juvederm, Restylane, Radiesse, and Sculptra can help smooth wrinkles and restore lost volume in your neck skin.
Experts sometimes use hyaluronic acid and calcium hydroxylapatite fillers off-label to define the jawline and boost collagen in the neck.
When applied to the neck, practitioners often use a blunt-tipped cannula instead of a needle.
These fillers cost around $625 to $800 per session and typically last 6 to 12 months.
Radiofrequency-Based Devices
Radiofrequency with microneedling is a gentle procedure that tackles wrinkles and loose skin without surgery. It blends two methods—radiofrequency and microneedling—to naturally boost collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.
During microneedling, tiny needles are used to revitalize the skin’s surface.
This technique helps tighten skin by stimulating collagen and elastin production alongside radiofrequency energy.
Combining radiofrequency with microneedling allows practitioners to treat a wider range of patients, even those with mild skin laxity or previous surgeries.
Results may show up right away, but it usually takes a few months to see full effects. For pricing, it varies based on individual needs.
Ultherapy
Ultrasound energy is another option for lifting and improving skin on the neck and chin.
Ultherapy, approved by the FDA in 2009, targets deeper layers of skin without surgery, aiming to boost collagen for a more youthful appearance.
During the procedure, focused ultrasound energy is directed beneath the skin’s surface to lift and support tissue.
Ultherapy takes about 60 to 90 minutes and typically has no downtime. You might experience some temporary redness, but it should fade quickly.
Results gradually appear over 2 to 3 months as new collagen develops and can last up to a year.
Ultherapy costs around $2,200 per treatment.
The Bottom Line
As you get older, your neck skin gets thinner. Wearing scarves or turtlenecks can hide it temporarily, but it’s not a permanent fix.
Surgery is costly, risky, and needs a long recovery. That’s why lots of people are trying nonsurgical options like Botox, ultrasound, and lasers to improve their neck appearance.
These options are safer, cheaper, and have shorter recovery times. To get the best results with fewer risks, talk to a certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Dr. Ashley Morgan is a dermatologist who offers online skincare consultations to help people with various skin concerns like acne, wrinkles, oily skin, dry skin, rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis.
She graduated from the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a Bachelor of Science and a Doctor of Medicine. With extensive experience in medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology, she stays updated on the latest skincare technology to provide the best care for her patients. If you have any skin issues, let Dr. Ashley Morgan help you out.