Of all the things that begin to lose shape, droop and fatten up as we age, the neck can be—well—a pain in the neck, not to mention one of your biggest age giveaways.
A long, slim, beautifully angled neck is the epitome of grace and elegance. Unfortunately, as we age the neck becomes loose, and wrinkles and excess fatty tissue may make your neck less smooth and attractive than it used to be. In years past, the go-to cosmetic surgery procedure (especially for women) has been the combined facelift and neck lift, but today where less invasive procedures are almost always preferred over traditional nip and tucks, what’s a girl (or guy) to do?
Beauty Smarts
According to Dr. Deborah Sarnoff, a dermatologist in New York, NY, during her expert presentation at the annual meeting of the Multi Specialty Foundation in Las Vegas, NV, in June 2011, the first step in reversing those signs of aging is to understand the principles of a beautiful neck. (Yes, there is science behind this, folks!) Dr. Sarnoff, explained that a beautiful neck has a well-defined angle, without too much fat or excess skin. How to get that long, slim neck we all pine for? That’s where it gets tricky. A so-called “aesthetic” neck is one with a cervicomental angle (the angle created between the lines of the chin and the neck) of about 105 degrees, according to Dr. Sarnoff. And if you don’t want to undergo the traditional nip and tuck to lift and remove unwanted fat, Dr. Sarnoff believes that laser lipolysis can be a viable treatment option for the right candidates. (A good candidate is usually someone who needs to lose only a small amount of fat from the neck.)
Laser Lift
Compared with traditional liposuction, which removes excess fat alone, laser lipolysis (a.k.a., laser-assisted liposuction) heats and melts the fat before it is removed, making it less traumatic and resulting in less blood loss. Another key benefit to laser lipolysis? Area tissues are also heated, which tightens and tones otherwise loose skin. (Fat reduction and skin tightening? This just may be the ultimate 2-in-1!)
Because only pinhole-sized incisions are required, the risk for noticeable scarring is next to impossible. You may have slight bruising or swelling, but you can generally return to your (less strenuous) activities the very day of your procedure.
Chin Up!
If you need to lose only a small amount of fat from neck (or face, arms or stomach!) you may be a good candidate for the LipoLite laser liposuction (Syneron), which requires only a very small incision. As for treatment time, it lasts for a short 30 minutes to an hour, and results are seen in three to four months.
The next step is all you. If you’re ready, it’s time to find a doctor. Go ahead—pick your chin up and put the brakes on feeling bad about your neck!
Originally Published Aug 19, 2011