Would Morpheus8, threads, or ultherapy be better to tighten skin? (Photos)

Question

I am 38 years old, had chin lipo 4 yrs ago but still have a double chin or excess skin. Would Morpheus8, threads, or ulthera be better to tighten the skin? Or, is there something else that could tighten the skin around the jawline with long term results?

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Unlike other tightening treatments, Ultherapy only requires a single treatment every one to two years and has long-term effects in skin stimulation and collagen production. Ultherapy is ideal for men and women who are experiencing mild to moderate skin laxity and desire a noticeable and long-term skin tightening treatment without the complications and risks of more invasive surgical procedures. Ultherapy can be combined with dermal fillers, Botox treatments, chemical peels, skin tightening lasers, and skin facials. Our plastic surgery and cosmetic center in Santa Monica offers Ultherapy as a complement to other skin treatments and cosmetic rejuvenation procedures.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Anna Petropoulos, MD, FRCS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question! The area you have photographed is likely due to loose skin, a bit of remaining fat, or loss of structural support post-lipo. Treatments like Morpheus8, Ultherapy, and thread lifts can help, but they work best for mild to moderate skin laxity. Morpheus8 uses radiofrequency microneedling to tighten skin and slightly reduce fat. Ultherapy uses ultrasound to stimulate deeper collagen for lifting. Threads provide a temporary lift but don’t offer much long-term tightening.

If you’re looking for more noticeable and lasting results, FaceTite or AccuTite might be better options. These are minimally invasive procedures that use internal radiofrequency to melt fat and tighten skin from underneath, offering stronger results than surface treatments. They involve a bit of downtime but can last several years.

For more advanced sagging or loose skin that non-surgical treatments can't fix, a mini-lift or lower facelift could be the most effective long-term solution. It’s worth consulting with a provider who offers both non-surgical and surgical options to get a clear picture of what’s causing the issue and how to treat it best.
Best of luck! 
Genie Alexander, RN BSN
for Anna Petropoulos, MD FRCS 
Center for Classic Beauty
Boston & Danvers, MA

Mahmood Siddique, DO · Answer

For tightening skin around the jawline, each option&mdash;Morpheus8, PDO threads, and Ultherapy&mdash;offers unique benefits, and the best choice can depend on the specifics of your skin type, lifestyle, and goals for longevity.
1. Morpheus8  - What It Does: Combines microneedling with radiofrequency (RF) energy to stimulate collagen production in deeper skin layers, effectively tightening skin and reducing fat. - Best For: Mild to moderate sagging; improving texture and tightness over multiple sessions. - Results: Can take a few weeks to fully appear but can last around 1-2 years with proper skin care and maintenance. - Pros: Non-invasive, minimal downtime, and can target both surface and deeper skin layers.
2. PDO Threads - What It Does: Threads are inserted under the skin, providing an immediate lift and stimulating collagen production as they dissolve over time. - Best For: Mild to moderate sagging with an instant lift; PDO threads may work best for contouring and a more defined jawline. - Results: Results are immediate, with collagen production lasting about 1-2 years. - Pros: Provides an immediate lift, with collagen-stimulating effects enhancing results over time.
3. Ultherapy - What It Does: Uses ultrasound energy to penetrate deeply and promote collagen production, which tightens the skin. - Best For: Those with mild sagging and a preference for non-invasive treatments. - Results: Results develop gradually over 2-3 months and typically last up to 2 years. - Pros: Non-invasive, no downtime, and provides a natural lift. It is also FDA-cleared for lifting skin around the neck and jawline.
Other Options - For significant sagging or persistent fat, options like a lower facelift or neck lift with a board-certified surgeon could provide long-term results. - Non-invasive options, such as Kybella injections, could help dissolve submental fat if it’s still present, though it doesn’t target loose skin directly.
RecommendationIf you’re looking for minimal downtime with gradual results, Morpheus8 or Ultherapy could be effective. For a more immediate lift, PDO threads might be a better option. Consulting with a specialist who can assess your skin in person is highly recommended. They can provide a treatment plan tailored to your skin type and long-term goals.

David Hansen, MD · Answer

From the photos, a little facetite and morpheus should do very well at tightening the skin up and is done under local .

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Dominant feature of the lower face is a small chin; chin augmentation with implant would be my first choice. Liposuction of anterior neck and jawline or a neck lift is decision that can be made on the basis of in person evaluation only. I hope this helps.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

The photographs are rather limited, but you have a recessive chin profile, which gives you poor structural support for the soft tissue in your neck. Strongly consider placement of a small chin implant to augment your chin forward for better facial balance, and proportions. It's also important to understand there are two compartments of fat in the neck, and they're located both above and below the plasma muscle. Open liposuction can probably accomplish your goals if your fat deposits are located above the muscle. A surgical neck lift is required when the fat deposits are located below the muscle. An in- person examination would be required to make the determination about which is the right procedures for you.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD · Answer

Your profile picture show lack of chin projection and doing any procedure to improve the neck will not be successful.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD · Answer

Based on your nicely posted photos I recommend the Endo lift laser treatment with potentially a cyber lift. Fee eight to $10,000. Best of virtual consult with.

Rajesh Vasu Chokka, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Going by the pictures you have residual fat in the chin area, which needs to be removed for you to have the best results with thread or morpheus8. As plastic surgeon , i would prefer doing a thorough liposuction and then consider doing thread after a month gap,