Neck lift alternatives: what works?

I have developed a turkey neck look and can't stand how old it makes me look. Plenty of magazines suggest alternatives to getting neck lift surgery.  Do any of these seem worth trying instead of plastic surgery?

  1. tightening cream like L’Oreal’s Collagen Skin Re-Modeller
  2. accent laser
  3. restylane
  4. gold thread skin rejuvenation

 

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8 answers to “Neck lift alternatives: what works?”

A: No alternatives to neck lift surgery, such as Restylane

William Portuese, MD

There are no alternatives to neck lift surgery such as Restylane skin rejuvenation, lasers, or tightening creams. The neck has three components: skin, muscle, and fat. The fat has two compartments, one above and below the platysmal muscle, which has to be addressed. Liposuction will only remove the fat. A... more

A: For a true turkey gobler neck deformity, surgery is best solution.

Stephen A. Goldstein, MD

The neck is a very difficult area to correct without surgery.  A turkey golbler deformity suggests that  the problem with neck is due to specific anatomic issues.  The three tissue layers that need to be evaluated and addressed are (1) excessive loose skin, (2) excessive neck fat, and... more

A: Necklifts in a nutshell

Robert M. Freund, MD

The neck has several issues to consider; 1- excess, sagging skin 2-Too much neck fat, or too little if over-treated with liposuction. 3-Turkey Gobblers - This is the result of the muscles in the neck (platysma) sagging and separating in the midline. Treatments for neck issues; Liposuction - for excess neck fat... more

A: surgery is probably the best option

Shahram Salemy, MD

If you truly have this much laxity of skin and muscle of your neck, surgery is the best available option today. The noninvasive skin tightening procedures will offer little improvement in such cases. This may change as the technology improves, but for now, surgery is your best investment.

A: The only solution for a real "turkey neck" is surgery.

George J. Beraka, MD

Save your money for something that will work.  Products and skin treatments will not do anything for a really bad neck.  There is usually some combination of loose excess skin, loose hanging muscle, superficial excess fat, and deep excess fat.  These tissues neeed to be cleaned up with some form... more

A: Turkey Necks are best addressed with Surgery

Kamran Jafri, MD

Hello Kym, I wholeheartedly agree with Dr. Wallach that the options you listed are only going to end up being a waste of time & money for you. Turkey necks / aging necks are an anatomical problem that occur due to genetics, anatomy and the aging process. As such, in order to really get worthwhile... more

A: Invest for results of neck surgery

Benjamin C. Marcus, MD

I could not agree more with what has been posted. Working in a University plastic surgery center I have access to all the new "toys". We have skin tightening lasers, we had the threads early on (4-5 years ago). The bottom line is that nothing works for the neck other than surgery. That... more

A: Nothing but the real deal

Steven Wallach, MD

I fyou really have a true turkery gobbler neck, then you have alot of loose skin.  You can try all the creams/lasers/ etc.. until "the cows come home," but nothing available today will give you the improvement of a neck lift for this problem.

Comments

gcirami
7 posts
19 Nov 2008

All my collegues are absolutely correct.  They have given honest answers that outline the reasons for your neck looking as it does, and the best cures.  There really is no short-cut for this problem.  The recovery is minimal if you are not a smoker or have other health issues that need to be addressed.  It should last you a lifetime if you take good care of yourself and your skin. 

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