Living in the Zoom era, more than ever, people are paying attention to how all aspects of their face and neck look. We want to be tight, toned and youthful yet natural. The focus has shifted solely from just specific lines and wrinkles, to the appearance of the face as a whole including the neck. The jawline and neck are often the first places that give away your true age, as they are often forgotten throughout the years (don’t forget to bring your skincare and SPF down to your neck and chest!). Luckily, cosmetic advancements have allowed us the tools to give patients natural results without the need for surgery or downtime.
What causes our jawline and neck to wrinkle and sag?
As we age, the body produces less collagen, which is critical for providing structure to the skin, as well as the bones, ligaments, muscles and tendons. Elastin, another key component in maintaining youthful, supple skin, also diminishes with time. As there are less of these important building blocks available to provide support for the skin, the appearance of wrinkling, thinning, sagging and crepey skin are more noticeable. These changes in combination with fat loss and gravity result in jowls, prominent folds around the mouth, loss of a sharp jawline and the appearance of a ‘turkey neck’. Luckily, today is a time where it is possible to gracefully and naturally address all of these changes without drastically changing the natural face shape and anatomy.
What can be done about it?
At Russak Dermatology Clinic, we are thrilled to offer customized treatment plans for each patient based on their individual needs to specifically target the jawline and neck. Here’s a glimpse into a few of the incredible nonsurgical treatments we can provide with little to no downtime.
1. HYALURONIC ACID FILLER INJECTIONS
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a sugar that naturally occurs in the skin and other parts of the body. It helps keep tissues hydrated due to its ability to bind with up to 1,000 times its volume in water. Precisely injected as a dermal filler, HA immediately plumps skin and smooths lines and wrinkles while improving skin hydration. On the cheeks and jawline, it adds definition and mimics bone structure which lifts, contours and defines the lower face. Commonly referred to as our “liquid facelift,” results are immediate and can last up to a year!
2. RADIESSE FILLER INJECTIONS
Radiesse is a hypoallergenic, nontoxic filler made of calcium hydroxyapatite (CaHA) gel spheres. CaHA is created from phosphate, calcium, hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, all of which occur naturally in your body. This stimulates your body’s own collagen production, remodeling crepey skin, diminishing sagging and wrinkles, and giving our collagen and elastin the nutrients to thrive and rebuild. CaHA also has the ability to provide instant plumping and restructuring of the face. Results can be seen immediately, though collagenesis takes a few weeks to a month to occur and to see the full effects. Eventually CaHA absorbs back into the body, but the treatment can last up to two years.
3. ULTHERAPY
Nicknamed “the non-surgical facelift”, Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound to lift and tighten skin, commonly used for the lower face, under the chin and on the neck. It stimulates collagen production and the supporting structures deep within the skin, while also smoothing and tightening the surface of the skin. We’re able to see deep under the skin and direct small amounts of ultrasound energy at specific problem areas for a focused result. The tightening and lifting effect takes a few months to appear while collagen builds, which tightens and smoothing the jawline and neck.
4. NEUROMODULATORS
Commonly known as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin, neuromodulators are purified proteins that relax facial muscles to smooth fine lines and wrinkles. They are are also often used to lift and smooth the neck and jawline. The vertical muscles that run from the jawline to the neck, known as our platysma, constantly pull down on the skin. Over time, this causes drooping and sagging. The Nefertiti lift, named after Egyptian Queen Nefertiti and her sharp jawline, uses neuromodulators to relax these muscles and stop their pulling. This provides a lift, improves jawline definition, and improves the appearance of unsightly neck bands.
5. KYBELLA®
Got a double chin? Kybella®, an injection that breaks down fat, is your answer! Kybella® contains deoxycholic acid, which the body naturally produces to break down fat from food that we eat. Kybella isolates this acid, and when injected under the chin it permanently destroys fat cells after two to four treatments. Achieve a defined jawline without the need for surgery. The face looks slimmer, younger and more balanced.
6. THREAD LIFTS
While results are not as dramatic or as permanent as a surgical facelift, thread lifts are less invasive, less risky and have minimal recovery time. Our doctors insert dissolvable, medical-grade threads with microscopic barbs into the sagging jawline. They then pull up and sculpt the skin by tightening the threads. In addition to the instant lift, the body senses the threads, producing more collagen around them. This helps support and improve elasticity of the skin long term. The procedure takes under an hour, and the long term effect can last up to 1-2 years. We often combine filler and threads for a comprehensive lift.
7. RADIO FREQUENCY AND MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that creates tiny punctures in the skin’s surface. In reaction, the body produces collagen and elastin to heal itself, which tightens the skin and improves skin tone and texture, diminishes fine lines, wrinkles, blemishes and acne scars. When paired with radio-frequency, the procedure builds even more collagen deep in the skin and provides intensive skin tightening and toning results.
Now that warmer months are coming, there’s no better time to look and feel your best! Russak Dermatology Clinic will work with patients to achieve all aesthetic goals, many of which ways can be accomplished naturally. The staff here takes pride in developing relationships with our patients and helping you feel more radiant and confident.
Schedule your appointment!
For more information on our customized approach to anti-aging treatments, contact Russak Dermatology Clinic at (646) 873-7546.
