Which Procedure is Best for my Neck?

I would recommend a neck lift with platysmal tightening medially. It would be best to get a complete evaluation from a qualified surgeon.

   Botox may help with the bands.  A neck lift would be a more definitive treatment.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Options for loose neck skin in the younger patient -
The lax skin in your upper neck can be approached directly by a less invasive facelift in the miniface lift category The least invasive would be a mini-facelift. My own personal preference and in my hands the one with the least invasive approach is a Lite Lift which is performed in my office under local anesthesia with some oral sedation without the need for IV sedation or general anesthesia

Based on your photos it seems your neck contour problem is caused by some early visible platysma muscle bands.  These can be tightened from a small incision just under the chin or an incision behing the ears, which would also allow tightening of the neck skin.  Be aware that someone with minimal body fat and a thin neck may always tend to have visibility of muscle fibers in the neck.  Also, the submandibular salivary glands under the jaw on each side can often show as a rounded fullness in thin necks.  The trampoline lift is one of a few new minimally invasive procedures to tighten the muscles under the chin.  Long term results are not really available as yet.  Your best choice will depend on your actual anatomy, and your surgeon can discuss all possible options after a thorough examination and conversation about your goals.

For many women, the first signs of significant facial/neck aging are the skin changes between the chin and voicebox area.  Folds of skin and bands may appear.

What is actually happening to many patients in this age range is that the platysma muscle is forming bands or cords and pulling the skin down with the muscle.  This makes it look like the skin is loose when it often is not.

I prefer to treat young patients with isolated early neck bands with Botox or Dysport.  When injected along the bands, patients often note dramatic improvement in neck appearance and can avoid surgery.  This procedure takes just a few minutes and costs only a few hundred dollars.  Maintenance is required, but the results are quite good!

If you are a young person with good skin and neck bands, consider trying this non-surgical approach first!