Will Kybella remove these "turkey neck" lines on my neck? (photos)

Question

I'm 30 years old. I had a Kybella treatment 3 weeks ago and I notice some improvement however I was hoping these sagging lines would disappear. Can Kybella remove sagging neck skin or shall I try alternative methods?

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"Injecting soft fillers like Belotero in this area can reduce lines, wrinkles and folds as well as improve skin texture with long-term collagen production. Fillers are being used more frequently to contour and lift rather than solely line fill. Of course, fillers are best used in combination with lasers and microneedling with PRP to get the optimal outcome.

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

Steven H. Dayan, MD · Answer

Dear Amelie17,
Thank you for your question. I recommend a follow-up evaluation with your surgeon to best address your concerns, as it is difficult to perform a thorough evaluation based on photographs alone. Kybella usually targets shrinking the fatty tissue under the chin but not any muscle or skin laxity in the area. Your surgeon can discuss with you possible additional treatment options depending on whether it is a skin or muscle laxity issue.

Sabrina Fabi, MD · Answer

I wouldn’t recommend another Kybella treatment for you, as it does not seem you have much if any submental fat at this point. While I did notice some skin tightening effects for patients while participating in the initial trials for Kybella, and some of my patients also find their necks firm up after treatment, Kybella cannot resolve platysmal bands. Those cords you are seeing are probably the platysmal muscle, which has become loosened from underlying structures. You can use Botox to soften their look and/or Ultherapy or ThermiTight to tighten up the skin and make them less prominent. Consulting a board-certified dermatologist will allow all of your issues to be discussed and appropriate treatments chosen.

Max Polo, MD · Answer

Amelie, thank you for your question and photos. Kybella works by dissolving prominent fat under the chin. As with other fat reducing procedures like liposuction and cryolipolysis, after the volume of fat is reduced in a particular area, the associated loose and reduntant skin will retract to a certain degree. The result is an improvement in contour with some skin tightening as well. If an improved contour but some degree of sagging skin remains after Kybella treatment, then additional skin tightening treatments may give an even better result. When the problem is primarily sagging skin without excess fat, some type of skin tightening procedure would be preferred as the primary treatment and Kybella would not be indicated. From your photos it appears that your neck bands may not be sagging skin but prominent platysma muscle bands. Kybella is not indicated for treatment of this condition. In fact it could make them more prominent by dissolving the overlying fat. These bands are best treated with neuromodulator (Botox) injections or surgical procedures.  Be sure to consult with an experienced and qualified board certified injector to help you achieve your best possible result. Best of luck. Dr. Max Polo

Aldo Guerra, MD · Answer

Thanks for posting your photos. Kybella will remove the fat between skin and the platysma muscle. For the muscle bands, the better medication is Botox. Have a formal consultation to see which approach can be done first...Good luck, Dr. ALDO

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

Kybella will reduce fat under the chin but it will not improve sagging neck skin.  There are some surgical and non-surgical options that can help with the skin.  Surgical options would include neck lifts and platysmaplasty and non-surgical options would include radio frequency treatments, such as Fractora or FaceTite.

Glenn Murray, MBBS · Answer

Hi and thank you for your question. Another Kybella injection is not likely to fix this.  I would suggest a skin tightening treatment such as Ultraformer or Thermage.  You can learn about skin tightening procedures on my website. 
Wishing you all the best,Stay absolutely safe and well,Dr. Murray from Absolute Cosmetic Medicine

Manjula Jegasothy, MD · Answer

Those bands are muscle (called the platysma) and are best treated with Botox® cosmetic/Dysport®/Xeomin®.

Summit Kundaria, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question and pictures.   I do not think Kybella would be helpful given your anatomy.  In fact, it may make the problem worse!  Kybella is specifically for the removal of fat, and what you appear to have is platysmal bands, where the muscle edges of the platysma muscle are showing through your skin.  A small surgery to stitch these together can give you permanent improvement in these.  If you would like another option, a neurotoxin (like Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin) could give you temporary weakening of the muscles that are giving you these visible edges.  Good luck!

Ray Bayati, MD · Answer

Hello,
I would recommend trying Botox. For Platysma in the neck we inject Botox and that help. one injection would prove if that is going to help.
Kybella is not doing anything because it is not fat tissue.
Hope the Best -- Dr Ray