A nonsurgical neck lift aims to smooth and tighten crepey, loose skin in the submental (under chin) and neck area via a combination of noninvasive cosmetic procedures. Depending on your goals, it can also diminish the appearance of jowls, sun damage, fine lines, and neck bands.
When the term was first introduced, it primarily referred to FDA-approved skin tightening treatments, most of which use radiofrequency (RF) or ultrasound energy to heat the lower layers of the skin and stimulate new collagen production.Â
As the menu of noninvasive, in-office treatment options expanded, the definition of a nonsurgical neck lift broadened. “The line between surgical and nonsurgical options is also being blurred, with some procedures using minimal entry points and threads to improve neck contours,” says Dr. Anil Shah, a plastic surgeon in Chicago.
Read on to learn more about the top options, and how they compare to neck lift surgery.
Pros
Cons
Your cost will depend on your provider’s level of experience, their practice location, and the details of your treatment plan.Â
Each provider has their own favorite treatments and devices, some more expensive than others. Having a consultation with up to three qualified providers will help you hone in on the right provider and plan for your goals and budget. Just make sure their before and after photos show a measurable difference from nonsurgical treatments.
The nonsurgical neck lift photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.
The best candidates for a nonsurgical neck lift are “typically those with mild skin laxity who want some neck tightening or those seeking moderate fat reduction,” says Dr. Shah.
If you’re looking for a sharply defined jawline, excess skin removal, or significant fat removal, your provider will probably suggest that you consider plastic surgery. “You will probably be disappointed” in the extent and longevity of results from a noninvasive treatment, adds Dr. Shah.
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These are the most common nonsurgical neck lift procedures. Your dermatologist or plastic surgeon may recommend one treatment or a combination of several to address your neck concerns.Â
Find an experienced, reputable provider who can recommend the best options for you. “Results are heavily dependent on the person performing the procedure,” says Dr. Ho. The neck requires careful handling: not only is the skin extremely delicate, but the thin fat layer on its underside must be preserved to maintain a soft, youthful look.Â
Ultrasound and RF energy can be applied to the surface of the skin or just below it, to help rejuvenate lax tissues, firm skin, and smooth fine lines.
Ultrasound-based Ultherapy and RF-driven Thermage FLX have been the go-tos for treating the neck noninvasively. Their deep heat stimulates collagen production and causes existing collagen fibers to constrict, which gives an immediate tightening effect and leads to firmer skin over time. However, in recent years, many practitioners have moved away from these technologies after finding them too intense for the delicate neck tissues.Â
Sofwave is a more modern approach to noninvasive energy-based tissue firming in the neck. The device restricts its ultrasound energy to the dermal layer of the skin (just below the top layer), to ramp up collagen production while safeguarding fat cells and deeper structures.Â
FaceTite is considered a minimally invasive procedure rather than noninvasive: its radiofrequency energy is delivered via a probe that’s placed underneath the skin, for more pronounced tightening coupled with fat-melting. It’s often paired with liposuction, to treat a double chin and sharpen the transition between the neck and jawline.Â
Some providers also like RF microneedling devices, like Secret RF and Morpheus8, for restoring the neck. Used conservatively and at an appropriate depth, they can firm the skin and improve the appearance of horizontal neck lines. Certain devices, like the Profound RF, have been shown to stimulate elastin production as well as collagen growth to restore elasticity.
Laser resurfacing heats up the lower layers of the skin, causing microdamage that triggers the body’s healing response to address signs of sun damage.Â
As the skin regenerates, you will see improved texture and tone—especially in hyperpigmentation and crepey neck skin—but sagging will likely remain. Aggressive lasers, like the fractionated CO2, can deliver modest skin tightening, but they’re not a first-line treatment for the neck because they come with a higher risk of scarring. Â
Botox, Dysport, and other injectable neuromodulators can relax the platysmal bands—the thick, vertical pleats of the platysma muscle, which can become more prominent over time and give the neck a ropey appearance.Â
Hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers with a very fine viscosity, such as Juvéderm Silk, Belotero Balance, or Restylane Refyne, may be injected into fine, horizontal “necklace bands” (using a fine-gauge needle or a microcannula), to help soften and smooth their appearance. They must be injected sparingly, at the proper depth, to avoid a lumpy look, so only trust a highly experienced injector.
Biostimulatory injectable fillers, such as Sculptra, Bellafill, and Radiesse, can also address crepey skin by stimulating collagen production. In recent years, some plastic surgeons have expressed concerns about these products creating scar tissue in the neck and complicating future surgery. Others are using diluted Radiesse to reduce crepiness and tighten skin on the neck and dĂ©colletage, and one small study has documented these benefits. Â
Related: RealSelf Members Reveal Their Favorite Neck-Tightening Treatments—From Products to Procedures
If you want longer-lasting, more dramatic results or have moderate to severe sagging skin, consider a surgical neck lift and/or facelift.
New York City board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. George Yang uses this metaphor: “The nonsurgical [neck lift] is like trying to shrink an oversized shirt. You can wash it and dry it in the dryer to try to shrink that shirt, but it will only shrink so much.” In contrast, he says, “Surgery is more like tailoring. By tailoring the fat and muscle of the neck and redraping the neck skin, you can get the perfect fit.”
If fullness under the chin—a distinct pocket of fat—is blunting your jawline, your provider may recommend liposuction. This quick surgical procedure can permanently remove fat cells and give the neck a streamlined look.
However, it’s not a one-fits-all treatment. Sometimes what’s causing a neck to look full or saggy has more to do with the platysma muscle, a low-hanging hyoid bone, or deep fat located below the platysma—none of which can be solved with liposuction. See a plastic surgeon or facial plastic surgeon for an in-person exam before committing to neck lipo.
Updated November 21, 2023