Tips on Matching Clients to the Best Neck Treatment

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, neck lifts are up two percent from 2015 to 2016. In total, more than 55,000 neck lifts were performed in 2016. No longer just concerned about their faces, clients are heading to medical spas to seek treatments for issues ranging from the dreaded double chin to neck sweat to aging and wrinkled skin. Among the most popular and effective options are lasers, light therapy, injectables like Botox and the chin-specific Kybella, and other skin-tightening procedures. “Procedures like Botox, ultherapy, radiofrequency, and other treatments and technologies are being more utilized in this area,” says Todd Schlifstein, M.D., owner of Fountain Med Spa (New York City). Schlifstein explains that Kybella’s popularity has brought more attention to the area under the chin. But that’s not the only area with which clients are concerned. Depending on the client’s goals, body, and skin type, there are several ways to improve the neck. Here are tips for matching the client to the procedure.

Botox:

“Botox is an excellent treatment to help tighten the neck. 

For patients with prominent neckbands, injecting the bands with Botox will cause the muscle to tighten and make the neck appear more youthful. Botox will not change the laxity of the skin on the neck, so it is important to explain this to patients and have them combine a skin-tightening laser such as Fractora or ultherapy for the most noticeable change.”—Norman M. Rowe M.D., board-certified plastic surgeon

Light Therapy:

“While there are many lasers and lights that can be used for rejuvenation of the neck, I suggest IPL and BBL. These are used to help rejuvenate the skin and can also help to eliminate the blood vessels and brown spots and can be adjusted for each person’s skin type and desired result.”—Todd Schlifstein M.D., owner, Fountain Med Spa (New York City)

Thermage:

“Thermage performed once a year or every two years depending on client’s age and skin elasticity works amazingly at rejuvenating the skin. It produces new collagen, so it will tighten the skin.”—Michele S. Green M.D., cosmetic dermatologist (New York City)

CoolSculpting:

“CoolSculpting literally freezes targeted areas of fat. When fat cells are frozen, many of them die. The result is a permanent elimination of fat. It is the only truly effective non-surgical treatment for body sculpting.”—Matt Taranto, managing member, AesthetiCare Medspa (Lawrence  and Leawood, KS), and owner,  Mint Aesthetics medical spa consulting