Does this look like the beginning of skin sagging? How can this be improved? (Photos)

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Thank you for sharing your photos and your concern. At 26, what you’re seeing isn’t true “sagging” — it’s far more likely a combination of normal facial structure, mild volume variation, and the natural way skin folds when the face moves or when lighting catches certain areas. This is something I see even in patients much younger than you, and it usually has more to do with genetics and facial anatomy than aging.

Here are a few things that can help if the appearance is bothering you:

1. Skin quality optimization
Strengthening the collagen in the skin can make everything look smoother and firmer over time. Options include:

A gentle retinoid a few nights a week

Vitamin C in the morning

Daily broad-spectrum sunscreen (UV damage is the biggest contributor to early skin laxity)

2. Subtle volume support
Some people have naturally slimmer faces or early volume loss that makes certain lines more noticeable. Light, strategic hyaluronic acid filler — not to change your features, just to softly support the area — can help create a smoother transition.

3. Lifestyle factors
Staying at a stable weight, prioritizing protein, avoiding smoking/vaping, and managing stress all support collagen.

4. Energy-based tightening (if needed)
Most 26-year-olds don’t need this, but if the skin truly feels lax, treatments like radiofrequency microneedling or ultrasound can strengthen the deeper layers.

Overall, nothing in your photos suggests anything severe. What you’re noticing is extremely common, and it’s something that’s very manageable with small, gradual steps if you’d like the area to look a bit tighter.

The submitted photos do not show concerns of a sagging neck. To help keep skin looking young and healthy we recommend using medical grade skin care products like Transform MD and wearing sunscreen every day. Maintenance treatments such as Morpheus8, chemical peels, and laser treatments can also help.