How to Get Rid of Excess Neck Skin

I am an active, fit, thin 49yr old woman. However I have one issue that is making me uncomfortable about my appearance. I have a fold of excess skin running lengthwise under my chin. I don't have the sloping chin with excess fat. It seems to be just skin. My friends tell me that it's not noticable, but then I pull the skin back manually behind my ears and they are amazed. I quite litterally look 10 yrs younger! Are there any non surgical ways to get rid of this excess skin or are they a waste of time and money. Should I just go with a chin lift?

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28 Doctor Answers | Asked by amoureux_de_chocolat in Chicago, IL

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Improving the Neck

The neck is the one area in facial rejuvenation where a tighter and more toned surgical result looks natural and aesthetically ideal (as opposed to the face where ‘tight’ and ‘tighter’ just looks like surgery). Neck skin removal is accomplished through incisions around the ears which can be extended a short distance into the scalp if necessary. If the incisions are created and closed correctly and without undue tension, a very natural looking result can be obtained... more

Michael Law, MD

17 reviews

Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Neck issues are simple!

The problems of the neck can be broken down into anatomic structures and there findings as you age: 1. Sagging skin due to loss of elasticity Non-surgical treatment options - Laser Thermage IPL (Intense pulsed light) Chemical peels All have very little effect on the excess skin of the neck. Some believe their value borders on worthless. Surgical treatment options - Submental skin excision- either through a vertical or horizontal incision, skin can be removed from under the neck. The... more

How To Get Rid of Excess Neck Skin

Thank you for your question. When you use your hands to pull the neck skin behind your ears you are creating the appearance of a Neck Lift. If that is the appearance that you want you should have a Neck Lift. There are many advertisements for a Non-surgical Neck Lift out there. My advice is not to believe them. Thermage, Titan, Ulthera etc. can only tighten skin about 10-20% and they do less well on the neck. Neck skin is thicker and gravity pulls it down. Non surgical techniques... more

No nonsurgical ways to get rid of excess skin in the neck

There are no nonsurgical ways to get rid of excess skin in the neck. Neck liposuction only addresses extra fat removal. A neck lift addresses fat removal both above and below the platysma as well as tightening the platysma anteriorly. When excess skin is present in the neck, a lower face/neck lift must be performed in order to tighten loose excess skin. The muscles have to be tightened underneath the neck in both the front of the neck at the level of the jawline and then skin tightened... more

You probably need an isolated neck lift without a facelift.

To amourei, Hi! It is very hard to give you specific advice without seeing you because every thing depends on the individual anatomy. There are literally 8 different causes for a "bad neck". Based on your description, a neck lift would help you. This is done through a short scar under the chin. If you have a weak chin, a small chin implant placed through the same incision can do wonders in redraping the skin of the neck. We do Thermage as a non invasive procedure to tighten... more

A necklift would be a nice, durable option

Your question is a very common one, and while most patients want to have the procedure with the least amount of downtime, I think an important question to ask yourself is if these nonsurgical procedures will create natural, durable results. With a necklift, the surgeon can control the variables that are contributing to the aged appearance of the neck, including relaxation and loosening of the muscles of your neck, not to mention excess skin and fat. The procedure is straightforward and... more

It sounds like you need a minilift.

From your description, it sounds like you have excess skin of your neck which is best handled by a minilift with the excision of skin with the incisions around the ear. The incisions can be hidden inside the ear. This is different than the small incision lifts with catchy titles. This is a facelift, but not as extensive as a full facelift.

Toby Mayer, MD

7 reviews

Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

Excessive neck skin

Excessive neck skin can also include underlying muscle as well. If pulling your neck skin toward your ears gives you the dramatic look you desire, then likely a minifacelift or full facelift is necessary to achieve this look for you. If however the skin is limited to a small crepy area under the chin, then simply a minor neck muscle lift under chin with removal of the extra skin is all that is needed. Hope that helps!

Non surgical neck lift options

The skin can be treated in one of two ways: Excision of excess skin or redraping the skin over the course of the neck. The former requires an incision around the ears and the latter can be done without removing skin but by using sutures (there are several different methods) to redrape the excess skin over the length of your jawline.

Non-surgical methods will not improve your profile much

I also think that non-surgical methods, whether laser resurfacing, liposuction, laser liposuction, radiofrequency tightening of the skin will only help so much. Shrink a shirt/Tailor a shirt analogy I think my colleagues have all made excellent points regarding surgery versus the non-surgical methods. I will use an analogy to help make my point. The non-surgical method is like trying to shrink an oversized shirt which you are trying to make fit skin tight.... more