Necks can age for a variety of reasons.
1. Crepey skin results from a combination of age related changes associated with the loss of collagen and elastin ( structural building blocks of the skin) within the dermis of the skin.
2. Fat accumulation in the upper neck and under-jaw regions. This leads to a loss of youthful definition of the jawline with the neck.
3. Sagging of skin due to loss of resistance to anti-gravitational effects.
4. Superficial neck muscle ( platysma muscle) visibility. The platysma muscle starts to become more visible in the 5th and 6th decades of life. The tell-tale signs of the age are revealed as vertical bands underneath the skin running beneath the chin and jaw down towards the thyroid region.
5. Sagging of the Submandibular salivary gland. This causes the appearance of poaches below the jaw.
6. Skin pigmentation – solar keratosis accumulation.
7. Rhytides – wrinkles. These classical ‘hoops’ around the neck form stigmata of ageing.
8. Progressive softening of the chin projection can also indirectly lead to ageing of the neck.
With an understanding of the causes and reasons behind an aged neck, Mr John Blythe is able to offer a combination of skin care, non-surgical and surgical options to improve the appearance.
Treatment options may include:
1. Bio-regenerative hyaluronic acid therapy
2. Neurotoxin to the platysma
3. Liposuction to improve upper neck contours.
4. Lifting and tightening of the neck.
What is a surgical neck lift ?
A lateral neck lift is part of the Triple C SMAS Plication Facelift performed by Mr Blythe. This facelift technique targets the lower face and upper lateral neck. The tightening of the SMAS layer beneath the skin has an effect on the Playtsma muscle in the neck. This results in a lift in the laxity of the upper neck and sharper under chin and jawline area.
An anterior neck lift is a supplementary procedure alongside the facelift. Upper neck skin excess, fat accumulation and ageing features of the platysmal muscles ( tram line folds under the skin running vertically down the neck) can be addressed through an anterior neck lift. An incision is placed underneath the chin before liposuction ( removal of fat) is performed. The edges of the folded platysmal muscles are located, mobilised and approximated with a series of sutures. Excess skin is excised before the skin incision is meticulously closed.