COLLAR POP

We asked doctors and medical aestheticians to share the best non-invasive neck treatments for every aging concern. BY MIRANDA VOTH

The skin of the neck is delicate and ages more quickly than other areas of the body, so it’s no surprise that new treatments are surfacing to combat neck-specific issues. Spring is the perfect time for a fresh start, and that means trying out some of these non-invasive neck treatments.

BELKYRA FOR A PERFECT PROFILE
When it comes to double chins, Dr. Lisa Kellett, MD, FRCP, DABD, of DLK on Avenue in Toronto recommends Belkyra. This injectable treatment that destroys the membranes of fat cells to redefine the jawline and slim the chin without surgery. The body is able to naturally process the dead fat cells over the weeks that follow. “Most patients will need two to four treatments, done approximately every four weeks,” says Dr. Kellett.

BOTOX FOR NECKBANDS
“We see some patients who are unsatisfied with the look of what they refer to as ‘neck bands,’” says Dr. Frank Lista, MD, FRCSC, of The Plastic Surgery Clinic in Toronto. “Neck bands” are a ring-like thickening of the platysma muscle due to continual contraction. Believe it or not, there is a fix for this issue. “Botox can be precisely injected into the muscles to relax them and lessen their appearance,” says Dr. Lista. “Additionally, skin can sometimes appear to droop less once the muscle band has been relaxed.”

FRACTIONAL RESURFACINGFOR TEXTURE CHANGES
Skin laxity and textural changes in the jawline are the most common signs of aging. Fractional resurfacing on the necka more aggressive treatment, will address this. “Each treatment stimulates the body to create new tissue,” says Natasha Cuzner, medical aesthetician and owner of The Vanity Lab in Vancouver, “which smooths away fine lines and uneven texture.”

Better yet, pairing fractional with platelet-rich plasma rejuvenation (PRP), more popularly known as the “vampire facial,” just might be the ticket to keeping your neck fine-line-free.

PRP treatments harvest super-nutrients and growth factors from your very own blood that are then injected into your facial skin and neck area by our experienced physician,” says Cuzner. A series of three treatments about one month apart should give your skin “a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles, improved texture, increased fullness and overall healthier-looking skin,” says Cuzner.

LASER SKIN TIGHTENING FOR SKIN LAXITY
Patients on a mission to firm up their necks without surgery can look to laser skin tightening to see real results. “By using deep heat, this treatment basically creates a controlled wound-healing effect in the deep dermal layers of the skin,” says Cuzner. “The body then rebuilds and creates new connections within the collagen elastin matrix, leaving the skin firmer and tighter.”