Still Have Crepey Skin After Neck Lift

Question

I am just about 3 weeks post op from a neck lift (and lower jaw area) with platysmaplasty. I have several concerns but one of my main concerns is the skin in the center of my neck has lots of new creppy looking lines. It is still a little swollen and in fact I had steriods shot into it last week. I'm thinking that when the swelling goes down that it will be even worse? What can be done for this and what could have caused the skin to crepe like that "after" surgery?

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

The skin may improve with time, but sometimes, liposuction is done on the neck along with a neck lift and the liposuction can create verticallly oriented lines. Lifting procedures help produce a more youthful contour but resurfacing helps improve the skin texture especially from chronic sundamage. That's why it is so helpful in my practice that we have both plastic surgeons and a full menu of lasers for the dermatologic surgeon. The patient can get the "whole picture" addressed.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Fractional laser is an amazing and highly effective treatment in our office. We use the laser treatment to help with acne scars, large pores, fine wrinkles, tissue collagen loss, scars, sebaceous hyperplasia, active acne, and for brightening dark pigmentation. Although there are very strong fractional lasers such as CO2 laser, we use lighter treatments for corrective skincare and maintenance of results. Our Thulium fractional laser, clear and brilliant laser, and Ultra Thulium laser are excellent options in our clinic. We also perform CO2 fractional and erbium depending on skin tone and tolerance for downtime. Patients do have to use a Melarase cream before and after treatment to help further reduce pigmentation after laser.  Melarase AM, Melarase PM, and Melapads can seriously improve surface sun damage and UV related pigmentation. Dark spots can improve with these treatments. I recommend fractional laser for incisional scars as well, especially after plastic surgery.  
Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Michael Constantin Gartner, DO · Answer

Please wait a couple of months before assessing your results. You may find that the skin retracts as you heal. If it doesn't, please return to your surgeon to discuss your results.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD · Answer

The number of one cause of crepey skin after neck lift is:

	   1) crepey skin BEFORE neck lift

	       solar elastosis (sun damage), smoking, age, loss of elasticity, etc

	   2) possible small hematoma or seroma

	You may require a more extensive neck lift to eliminate redundant skin if it persists.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

At three weeks post a neck lift you probably still have alot of swelling.  I would give it time to settle down.

Still Have Crepey Skin After Neck Lift

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Still Have Crepey Skin After Neck Lift

Answers (7)

Answer: Causes of crepey skin after neck lift.

Answer: Causes of crepey skin after neck lift.

Answer: 3 weeks post neck lift

Answer: 3 weeks post neck lift

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

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