Three Options for Reducing Neck Wrinkles

Many people think of aesthetic treatments as focusing on the face, but what about undesirable wrinkles that crop up in the neck area? The skin on your neck, like the skin on your face, is just as susceptible to wrinkling due to aging, genetic factors, and damage from exposure to sunlight. Horizontal neck wrinkles can form on people who have a habit of repeatedly looking down or to the side, and lines can also develop on people who sleep on their side and place a lot of pressure on their skin.

Many facial lines are influenced by facial muscles working overtime! For example, if you have a very expressive face, you may notice that crow’s feet or frown lines eventually appear whenever you make certain movements. It’s completely normal to have some wrinkles as you age, but if you’re worried about getting “tech neck” (otherwise known as military neck), try holding your phone out in front of you instead of always looking down.

At one time, the only way to rejuvenate the neck would have been with plastic surgery, but these days there is a variety of minimally invasive alternatives if you’re tired of constantly hiding your neck with scarves and turtleneck sweaters. The best approach for you to take depends on how your neck wrinkles formed in the first place.

Many patients find that they have success with injectable neuromodulators (such as BOTOX^®), light and laser skin rejuvenation treatments, radiofrequency skin tightening, or dermal fillers. Milwaukee, WI’s ReFresh Aesthetic Center explains how three of these alternatives work.

BOTOX^®

A medication derived from a purified form of botulinum toxin, BOTOX^® is the world’s most commonly used treatment for relaxing what are known as dynamic wrinkles—or lines caused by repetitive muscle contractions in isolated areas. Many patients aren’t aware that in addition to its traditional uses on the face, BOTOX^® can be administered to the neck so that the skin appears smoother. This injectable, especially when used in conjunction with other options, can result in a smoother and more contoured neck. BOTOX^® is also good for softening vertical neck bands. This off-label treatment (meaning it’s not officially cleared by the FDA, even if widely used by doctors) is sometimes called a Nefertiti Lift. Ideal candidates are those who don’t have excessive fat or loose skin in the under-the-chin area.

Fillers

The skin on the neck is very thin, making it more vulnerable to damage. It can be challenging to minimize the wrinkles that result from the effects of time and environmental exposure, but dermal fillers may help. These injectables are typically used to address moderate to severe wrinkles in the mid-face areas, as well as for plumping the lips and cheeks. An experienced injector can add tiny amounts of hyaluronic acid-based fillers, such as Juvederm^® or Restylane^®, to reduce the depth of horizontal neck lines, yielding smoother skin. The results can last for several months. This is more suitable for neck lines that formed due to various types of skin damage—and not strictly muscle activity.

Light and Laser Treatments

If injectables aren’t your thing, there are always energy-based options, such as laser skin rejuvenation and radiofrequency (RF) treatments to improve neck skin texture and tone. Fractional lasers can be safely used on the neck and décolletage area to kickstart collagen production as a way of revitalizing the skin from the inside out.

Using these treatments in combination, along with topical, medical-grade skincare such as Revision’s Nectifirm Advanced, can often yield results not possible from a single treatment strategy.

Getting smooth, clear skin doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Learn more about the options by contacting the ReFresh Aesthetic Center team. Call 414-964-1111 or write them a message. You can also visit the ReFresh SkinEssentials Store™ on their website to find products in the Shop Revision Skincare link.