The neck is one of the most challenging areas to treat when it comes to minimizing the look of wrinkles and fine lines. Our necks have delicate, thin skin that has fewer oil glands and less collagen. We expose it to environmental factors, like UV rays, and don’t always do the greatest job applying sunscreen here (even when we faithfully apply SPF to our faces daily). Adding to it, the effects of gravity (loose skin) show up on our necks and this isn’t something that can be reversed with a cream or serum.
Plastic Surgeon Dr. Amir M. Karam is no stranger to the issue of necks (and probably has plenty of patients who complain about their dissatisfaction with this area of the body). As such, his posts about the neck reflect his knowledge of what works — and what is a waste of time and money. It may not be the solution that everyone wants to hear, but Karam shares how to lift an aging, wrinkled neck to look “20 years younger.” Here is his preferred procedure.
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What Not to Do
First: what not to do. Karam isn’t a fan of isolated neck lifts. He says, “The key to a truly youthful neck isn’t just treating the neck—it’s addressing the entire face. Neck aging is a symptom of overall facial aging, and you can’t achieve this level of correction without treating everything together.”
Needless to say, he also isn’t going to pretend a hyaluronic acid serum or a cream with retinol is going to lift the skin of the neck. Instead, he favors a procedure called the Vertical Restore, which he says “lifts and repositions the neck, jawline, midface, and brow together, creating natural, balanced, and long-lasting results.”
What is a Vertical Restore
The Vertical Restore is a type of facelift that doesn’t focus on pulling the skin horizontally, but rather in a more vertical direction. The procedure typically involves lifting and tightening the underlying muscle and connective tissue (SMAS layer) and repositioning the skin.
Prices for a Vertical Restore will vary depending on your location and the surgeon’s experience. The facelift can start around $8,000 to $15,000 and this includes anesthesia and facility costs. Additional costs may be attached to consultations and post-surgery recovery and care.
