Thanksgiving: Turkey Neck
Thanksgiving may be long past but if your turkey neck is still there- don’t despair! If you, like Nora Ephron, feel bad about your neck, you will be thrilled to know that there are treatment options. Ultherapy treatments have been used for a decade on the lower face to treat wrinkles and sagging facial skin. This heat treatment that tightens collagen can be used to rejuvenate the neck and upper chest as well.
What Is Ultherapy?
We first told you about this technology back in 2010, since our clinic has performed more of these procedures than anyone else in the country. We have seen a success rate of 90 percent in numerous clinical trials, and a 95 percent success rate after two treatments, and this includes lax skin in the neck area.
Ultrasound has long been used for medical imaging, and with Ultherapy, a high-intensity, focused version of this energy delivers heat deep into the skin to remodel existing collagen and prompt the body to produce more. One advantage of this treatment is that it allows the doctor to visualize the lower layers of the skin before the ultrasound is used to generate heat and send it to an exact location.
Who Can Benefit from Ultherapy?
Ultherapy isn’t just for aging patients. This focused ultrasound has been found to be effective for tightening up loose skin in women and men of all ages, especially after massive weight loss. It’s also been found that patients with acne scars tend to see great results using Ultherapy, perhaps because their skin has the ability to produce a lot of collagen.
The treatment will work better when it is combined with the proper skincare products that will coax the lazy fibroblast skin cells into producing more collagen. You should apply products that contain vitamin C as well as a retinoid such as retinol to the treated area at least 2 weeks prior and 3 months after Ulthera to achieve optimal outcomes.
What Kinds of Results Can I Expect?
There is typically little to no downtime associated with Ultherapy, which means that you can get back to your usual activities immediately after treatment. You will experience tenderness in the treated areas for up to 3 weeks, but these symptoms will gradually diminish on their own. Some people report temporary numbness in the area. Rarely swelling and bruising can result for a few days.
After one month, your skin should be slightly less slack, but after three to six months, the results should be much more obvious. Most patients are so pleased that they come back for a second treatment, which may be necessary for maximum results. The duration of and amount of treatment sessions can vary from person to person, so this is something that you and your doctor should discuss during your consultation.
Will I Stop Feeling Bad About My Neck?
Ultherapy can do an excellent job of turning back the clock, but no cosmetic procedure can stop the aging process altogether. It is important to use the proper skincare regimen for your skin type to reduce the factors that lead to aging and skin sagging. There are other treatments and topical products like Sente Neck Firming Cream that can be used in conjunction with Ulthera to improve results. If you have chin fat, Kybella injections may be an option. To find a doctor in your area who can advise you on how to choose products and procedures to make your neck look better click here.
Dr. Leslie Baumann, M.D. and her team at Baumann Cosmetic Dermatology believe in proof, not promises. World-recognized for both cosmetic and general dermatology, our treatment strategies rely exclusively on evidence-based, scientifically verified products and procedures that promote skin health and a natural appearance. We combine effective medical procedures with individualized instruction on proper skincare, nutrition, supplementation and lifestyle in order to maximize the health of the skin and body as a whole while minimizing the effects of aging. For more, visit Dr. Baumann’s blog for daily updates Monday through Friday, or inquire about an appointment through Derm.net.
