Understanding Neck Wrinkles: Causes and Effective Treatments
As we age, the delicate skin on our necks often reveals some of the first signs of aging, such as wrinkles and sagging. While facial skincare gets a lot of focus, it’s also important to care for your neck so that it looks young. Let’s discuss what causes neck wrinkles and the best treatments available, such as PRP Plasma and Profhilo.
Causes of Neck Wrinkles
Aging
As we age, the production of collagen and elastin, which keep our skin firm and elastic, decreases. This leads to thinner, less resilient skin more prone to wrinkles.
Sun Exposure
Sun rays can break down collagen and elastin in the skin, causing wrinkles and speeding up aging.
Gravity
Over time, gravity can cause the skin on the neck to sag, resulting in wrinkles and folds.
Repetitive Movements
Looking down at phones or computers daily can cause neck wrinkles over time.
Lifestyle Factors
Smoking, unhealthy eating, and not drinking enough water can cause wrinkles by harming the skin and slowing healing. These habits can damage the skin and make it harder for the body to repair itself.
What signs of ageing can you have on the neck?
It is critical for the doctor to understand what signs of ageing you have on your neck. Each sign requires a different treatment. The doctor can suggest the best treatment for your neck aging signs by identifying them and creating a plan just for you.
To look younger, you can try non-invasive treatments, skin care products, or lifestyle changes for your neck. These can help reduce signs of aging and make you look younger. Let’s look at the different signs of ageing and how we would treat them.
Skin laxity only
Skin laxity is a common sign of aging on the neck, where the skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. As part of this, people may notice horizontal lines or wrinkles on their neck, sometimes called “necklace lines.”
What helps
- High-quality, firming creams with ingredients like retinol or peptides
- Profhilo
- PRP Plasma
- Radiofrequency
Vertical bands called platysmal bands
Botox might be a good choice if you have neck vertical bands that worsen when you talk or move. The doctor will gently inject Botox along the vertical bands and relax them. It is quick and relatively painless, with results lasting 3-6 months. Patients may experience slight redness or bruising, but minimal or no downtime is necessary.
Excessive fat along the neck
Excessive fat along the neck is a common problem and is often part of an overall weight problem. If it is an option, you may wish to consider losing weight as a first measure. This is often difficult; some people may prefer a non-surgical option to remove excess neck fat.
Kybella injections use synthetic acid derived from the gall bladder to break down fat cells under the chin. The FDA has not approved this treatment for treating other areas of the neck. Another treatment option is fat-freezing.
Effective In-Clinic Treatments for Neck Wrinkles
Many treatments can help reduce neck wrinkles, but no study compares their effectiveness. The main treatments that work involve injectables or energy-based devices. To help you make a decision, we have listed each treatment and its pros and cons.
Injectable Treatments
PRP Plasma (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy
PRP therapy involves drawing a small amount of your blood. The platelets in your blood sample are then concentrated.
The doctor injects platelet-rich plasma into the skin. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate collagen production and rejuvenate the skin. This procedure has become increasingly popular over recent years.
The treatment typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, with minimal downtime. Some redness, bruising, or swelling may occur, but they usually subside within a few days. It usually takes 4 to 6 weeks to notice results. Most people need three treatments four weeks apart for best results.
PROS
- Very natural as it uses your own blood, no foreign substances
- Rejuvenates the skin and fades wrinkles
CONS
- Often bruising
- Requires lots of injections, even though they are gentle
Profhilo
Profhilo is a relatively new injectable treatment composed of hyaluronic acid. Unlike traditional fillers, it spreads evenly under the skin, providing hydration and stimulating collagen and elastin production.
The treatment involves two sessions spaced four weeks apart. Each session takes about 30 minutes and has minimal downtime. Some patients may experience mild swelling or bruising at the injection sites, but these effects are temporary.
PROS
- Easy, simple and effective
- Hydrates and plumps the skin with a very mild lifting effect
- Fades neck wrinkles
- Very safe with minimal risk of bruising
CONS
- Subtle results
- Minimal lifting
- Two or three sessions required
- Results visible after four to six weeks
PDO Thread Necklift
The PDO Thread Necklift is a non-surgical procedure that helps to lift and tighten the skin on the neck and jawline. In this procedure, the doctor puts dissolvable threads under the skin to lift sagging skin. The threads stimulate collagen production, resulting in firmer and more youthful-looking skin.
The procedure typically takes about 45 minutes to complete, depending on the extent of treatment needed. After the procedure, you may feel discomfort or bruising. This usually goes away within a few days. Over the following weeks, the threads stimulate collagen in your skin, which maintains the lift.
PROS
- Gradual and natural-looking,
- Results can last for up to 1-2 years
- Lifts and firms the skin
CONS
- Often bruising on the neck
- More invasive procedure
- Can be uncomfortable
Kybella
Doctors use Kybella to reduce fat under the chin. It is an injectable treatment that targets and destroys fat cells in the chin area, improving the appearance of a double chin.
The procedure involves a series of injections, typically spaced out over a few months, to achieve optimal results. Some patients may experience swelling, bruising, or numbness in the treated area, but these side effects are usually temporary.
PROS
- Works well for a mild double-chin
CONS
- Only approved for treating excess fat under the chin
- Not approved for excess fat in other neck areas
- Can require downtime due to swelling and pain
- Expensive, and the results are subtle
Energy-Based Treatments
Energy-based treatments are another option for reducing fat in the chin area. These treatments use various technologies, such as radiofrequency or ultrasound, to firm the skin on the neck. The procedure is non-invasive and typically requires multiple sessions to see optimal results.
PROS
- No injections required
- Minimal discomfort during treatment
- Tighten and tone the skin in addition to reducing fat
- Little to no downtime
CONS
- It may require multiple sessions for optimal results
- Results may not be as dramatic as injectables or surgical options
- Cost can add up with multiple sessions
Overall, energy-based treatments are non-invasive for reducing neck wrinkles and lifting the skin. They are relatively painless and do not require any injections.
However, you may need multiple sessions to achieve the desired results, and the cost can accumulate over time. Energy-based treatments can improve the appearance of your neck.
What treatment should I choose?
No studies are available at the moment that compare the different treatments with each other. So, what treatment you choose depends on your personal preferences and budget.
Surgical Necklift
A surgical neck lift is a more invasive option than other treatments. It involves making incisions and removing excess skin and fat to tighten and lift the neck area. A neck lift surgery gives better and longer-lasting results, but it costs more and takes longer to recover.
Surgery carries risks such as infection and scarring, and you need general anesthesia for that. The best way to reduce neck wrinkles and lift skin depends on your goals, preferences, and budget.
Lax Skin And Wrinkles | Neck Bands (Platysma) | Excessive Fat | |
---|---|---|---|
PRP Plasma | +++ | + | No difference |
Profhilo | + | No difference | |
Botox | No difference | +++ | No difference |
MINT Threads | ++ | No difference | ++ |
Radiofrequency | +++ | + | No difference |
Freezing | No difference | No difference | +++ |
Maintaining Results For Neck Wrinkles
To maintain the results of these treatments and prevent further neck wrinkles, it’s crucial to adopt a good skincare routine and healthy lifestyle.
Anti-Ageing Skincare
Products containing retinol, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C can help reduce wrinkles and improve skin elasticity. Peptides have also proven useful for preventing and treating neck wrinkles.
Daily Sunscreen Use
Protect your neck from harmful UV rays by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
Moisturize Regularly
Use a high-quality moisturizer to keep the skin on your neck hydrated.
Book Your Appointment at Satini Cosmetic Clinic
Talking to a doctor can help you select the most suitable treatment. This could include options such as PRP Plasma or Profhilo.
For more information or to schedule a consultation with our doctor, contact us at Satini.
Read more about neck wrinkles here:
https://www.healthline.com/health/neck-lines
https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-skin-care-ingredients-for-your-neck