Wrinkles on the neck – cause & neck lift

Neck wrinkles occur in the course of the natural aging process and are largely determined by genetic factors and anatomical conditions. Nevertheless, external influences such as UV radiation, diet and lifestyle also play a significant role in their development. It is therefore possible to positively influence skin quality to a certain extent with good skin care, sun protection and a healthy lifestyle.

Exercise can certainly help to strengthen the muscles in the neck area and improve circulation, which can indirectly contribute to skin health. However, a positive effect on neck wrinkles can be considered negligible. Excessive activity of the neck muscles (PLATYSMA) can even promote the formation of wrinkles, which is why the use of botulinum toxin injections can be very helpful in these cases.

Creams and serums can be used to support and above all prevent neck wrinkles. Good active ingredients are, for example, hyaluronic acid, urea or retinol (in low concentrations). In our practice, we have also had good experience with the active ingredient DEANOL – especially in combination with retinol. And last but not least: the use of sunscreen with a high sun protection factor (SPF) is crucial to protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Yes, superficial transverse wrinkles on the neck can be injected with hyaluronic acid and softened to a certain extent. If the muscular neck cords are responsible for the formation of wrinkles, treatment with botulinum toxin can also bring about an improvement.

A surgical neck lift reduces the wrinkles somewhat but does not eliminate them. However, wrinkles can be reduced by a combination of various minimally invasive or non-invasive methods independently of a lift.

First, a low-cross-linked hyaluronic acid is injected intradermally into the wrinkles. This is followed by stimulation of the connective tissue with an erbium glass laser in the area of the wrinkles, which stimulates the collagen. After each treatment, the wrinkles will appear slightly flatter. Radiofrequency needling treatments can also support this wrinkle reduction.

A neck lift is a suitable option for patients who suffer from wrinkling of the neck with sagging tissue (also known as a “turkey neck”), a double chin, an unclear neck contour without clear definition of the chin or fat deposits in the neck area.

For very slim patients who have hardly any subcutaneous fat and no disturbing muscle tension in the front of the neck, it may be sufficient to remove only the excess skin as part of a face-neck lift.

If the subcutaneous fat layer is clearly too thick and the contours in the jaw angle area are no longer well defined, the entire fat layer must be thinned out. In this case, the deep layer (SMAS platysma complex) should also be loosened, reduced and tightened separately.

Pure skin lifts only have a limited effect on sagging areas of the face and have virtually no lifting effect on the neck. However, they increase the risk of unnatural-looking distortions and unfavorable scarring due to the tight skin tension.

In contrast, face lifts, in which the tissue between the facial skin and the deeper facial muscles is mobilized and lifted separately, reduce these risks. By integrating the capsule of the parotid gland into the so-called Superficial Musculo Aponeurotic System (SMAS), the preparation of a stable flap is facilitated, which helps to improve the neck contour during displacement and tightening.

The displacement and tightening of the SMAS limit the tightening forces in depth, while the facial skin remains almost tension-free, which significantly reduces the risk of unsightly distortions and noticeable scars.

As a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery, Dr. Dr. Frank Muggenthaler specializes in face/neck lifting . Through his innovative developments in the field of SMAS lifting, Dr. Muggenthaler has made a significant contribution to improving the neck contour and at the same time considerably reducing the risk of unsightly deformities and noticeable scars.

Thanks to a sophisticated treatment procedure and gentle anesthesia, we can effectively avoid complications such as post-operative bleeding and accelerate the healing process.

In our clinic, we also work according to the Neck Check developed by us. The scientific procedure is based on the assumption that there are twenty-two individual criteria for determining the esthetic appearance of the neck. This figure then makes it easier for the surgeon to choose the appropriate corrective measures and methods.

More about the Neck-Check (PDF)

The success of an operation does not depend solely on the surgical procedure. The immediate recovery phase is also very important for a successful result. The twilight sleep method allows our patients a much faster recovery phase and a much more comfortable procedure, even in the hours after the operation. The absence of anesthesia also means that facial expressions can be controlled during the procedure, making it much easier to avoid damage to the facial nerves.

The classic face/neck lift is a surgical procedure in facial aesthetic plastic surgery in which sagging areas of the face are lifted and sagging areas of skin are tightened. In addition to surgical lifting, there are other procedures such as injections, laser, radio frequency or ultrasound, which also have a tightening effect to a certain extent.

Minimally invasive procedures can be a good option, especially for younger patients or as a complement to facial surgery. In terms of the rejuvenating effect, however, these methods cannot be equated with a surgical lift.

A face/neck lift at our clinic is particularly safe thanks to our specialization in aesthetic facial surgery. Infections with the particularly feared antibiotic-resistant germs, which unfortunately often lead to complications in hospitals with a wide range of operations, have never occurred in our clinic.