How to Tighten Neck Skin: Surgical & Non-Surgical Methods

Our skin loses its elasticity as we age. This loss of elasticity makes our skin appear loose and saggy as shown in older people who have drooping skin on or around their neck. Gravity, sunlight, genetics, and massive weight loss can also cause neck skin to loosen along with the natural aging process. Prolonged exposure to harmful UV rays from artificial light can also result in saggy neck skin. Fortunately, you can take surgical and non-surgical precautionary measures to lessen the occurrence of sagging neck skin.

Neck Lift

A neck lift improves the visible signs of aging in one’s jawline and neck. The procedure can address the following issues:

• Turkey neck
• Excess fat
• Excess skin

Cervicoplasty and platysmaplasty both refer to neck lift surgery. Surgeons can tighten loose neck muscles and remove excess and saggy skin using these procedures. Both procedures help restore a smoother, firmer, and more defined neck. Patients undergoing neck lift surgery can achieve the following goals:

• • Turkey neck reduction or removal

• Smoothened neck wrinkles and creases
• Improved neck band appearance
• Long-lasting results
• Full facial rejuvenation when combined with a face lift

Cosmetic surgeons can perform neck lifts with intravenous sedation and local anesthesia or general anesthetics. During the procedure, they will create a small incision behind each ear. Surgeons can also create a third incision depending on the specific needs of the patient under the chin. Doctors will then tighten neck muscles or the underlying tissues and remove excess skin through the incisions. Patients are expected to resume their daily activities within two weeks after undergoing surgery.

If you’re looking for a truly transformative option beyond non-surgical treatments, a facelift may be the best route.

Schedule a Consultation

Neck Liposuction

Cosmetic surgeons perform neck liposuction to contour the features of a patient’s neck. The procedure helps the chin and neck appear firmer and smoother. Younger patients with good skin elasticity typically undergo this procedure. Undergoing neck liposuction offers the following benefits:

• Improved double chin appearance
• A refined jawline for an enhanced chin or a symmetrical face
• Permanent results, given that the patient maintains a stable weight

Surgeons can perform neck liposuction under local anesthesia. They will insert a small liposuction cannula through one or two tiny incisions beneath the patient’s chin or behind their ears. This method allows for excess skin removal and natural chin and neck contour sculpting. Individuals can also combine the surgery with any of the following procedures:

• Chin augmentation
• Rhinoplasty

Patients usually go back to work within a week after undergoing neck liposuction. They also resume full activity after about two weeks from the procedure.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels can also help combat loose neck skin. Surgeons treat facial wrinkles, discolored skin, and scars using this procedure. They remove the topmost layers of the skin by applying a chemical solution onto it. Loose, saggy, or wrinkled neck skin can also be reduced through this method. Patients can get less wrinkled and smoother underlying skin once the old layer of skin peels off. Individuals can opt for a light, medium, or deep chemical peel depending on the different skin issues they want to address through the procedure. Doctors generally perform chemical peels in an operating room or a clinic. They will follow specific steps and give specific aftercare instructions depending on the patient’s chosen type of peel. The recovery periods can also last from one day to up to two weeks.

Ablative Laser Resurfacing

Ablative laser resurfacing or laser peeling can also improve aging skin effectively. The procedure also removes the outer layers of old skin similar to chemical peels. The layers below the skin’s topmost layers are warmed with a laser which then promotes the production of collagen. Surgeons can treat various skin conditions using ablative lasers. These conditions include but are not limited to the following:

• Fine to moderate wrinkles
• Liver or age spots
• Uneven skin tone
• Sun-damaged skin
• Acne or chicken spots

The patient’s skin will fully heal in two to four weeks after the procedure. However, pinkish and reddish skin may still appear for many months. These spots and uneven coloring of the skin can be concealed easily using makeup after two weeks.

RF (Radio Frequency) Microneedling

This procedure adds RF energy to traditional microneedling. There are certain skin problems that RF microneedling can address, including:

• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Acne and chicken pox scars
• Mild to moderate skin laxity
• Uneven skin texture and tone

Surgeons perform RF microneedling using dedicated devices with specially insulated needles. Once these needles penetrate a patient’s skin, they will deliver high-intensity RF energy into the targeted tissue. The energy will evenly warm the deep tissue and stimulate new collagen growth. This significantly enhances the patient’s skin quality and texture. RF microneedling will best suit almost any skin type and tone. It offers less discomfort and downtime, along with results that are similar to ablative laser resurfacing.

Natural Methods

If you do not want to undergo surgical or non-surgical procedures, there are natural ways to tighten neck skin. They include exercise, a healthy diet, and drinking water.

Exercise

The skin will not be able to shrink as one loses weight if excess fat continues to expand. Loose skin can be minimized by building muscle mass through weight training exercises. These exercises prevent bone loss as well as promote the production of new bones, decreasing the risk of fractures from osteoporosis. Exercising regularly also gives you improved balance and higher energy levels.

A Well-Balanced Diet

Having a nutritionally well-balanced diet can also protect one’s skin, making you avoid or delay the onset of wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity by avoiding unhealthy and junk foods. Diets with high fat or sugar content may slow cell turnover and age your skin faster. The following foods can help you achieve healthier skin:

• Foods with high Vitamin A and beta-carotene, such as raspberries and carrots
• Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables
• Foods that contain essential fatty acids, including walnuts and olive oil

Drinking Water

You can also get tight neck skin when you consume sufficient liquids daily. Hydrated skin gets plumper and firmer which prevents sagging or wrinkling. Women must drink at least nine cups of water a day, while men must consume at least 13 cups daily to have well-hydrated skin.