Few things are a more certain and desirable sign of beauty and youth than an elegant neck. Unfortunately, aging eventually has an effect on even the most youthful, firm necks. Sagging, lax skin can weigh down our necks, making us look older or heavier than we are. The good news is that a neck lift can give you the supple, youthful beauty you’re looking for. Dr. Kagan at the Kagan Institute in Los Angeles, CA, or Encino, CA can help. You can’t actually stop the hands of time, but you can turn back the effects!
How Long Will a Neck Lift Last?
In general, you can expect your neck lift to last between 10 and 15 years, depending on how severely your skin was sagging when you underwent the procedure. Other factors that can affect the longevity of your results include your age at the time you have the procedure and how quickly your body ages. Everyone’s body is different, and the single biggest factor is how quickly your personal collagen levels are decreasing. Collagen is the protein that gives our skin strength and keeps it supple and pliable.
As a rule of thumb, collagen production starts slowing in our 20s and really ramps down at around age 30. Again, each person is different, and lifestyle choices can also make a difference here. A healthy diet, plenty of hydration, and regular exercise are good for collagen production. Excessive alcohol intake, any tobacco use, a diet high in refined sugars and starches, and over-exposure to the sun all interfere with collagen production. When you come to talk with Dr. Kagen, we can help you get a better sense of how long a neck lift will last for you, personally.
What Can I Do To Make the Results Last Longer?
There isn’t too much you can do to make the results of the procedure last longer than 15 or so years; however, you can do some things to stop your results from fading before they should.
Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
Drink plenty of water, get enough sleep, eat lots of high-quality protein, healthy fats, and a colorful variety of fruits and vegetables. Be sure to exercise regularly, striking a balance between aerobic exercise and weight training. Avoid tobacco entirely and minimize your alcohol intake. All these habits are good for your body generally and help your genes resist the aging process, as well as they, possibly can.
Drinking plenty of water is important because hydrated cells are better able to retain collagen and elastin. When you sleep, your regular metabolic processes run all their functions, so getting enough rest gives them time to do this. Too little rest, on the other hand, can accelerate premature aging. Colorful fruit and vegetables contain a host of micronutrients as well as vitamins and minerals, all of which your body needs to keep its cells and skin healthy.
Keep Up a Good Skincare Routine
Most of us are aware of the importance of a healthy skincare routine on our faces, but it’s easy to forget about the neck. Your neck needs protection from harmful UV rays as much as the skin on your face and hands, and the skin on your neck will benefit from the same kinds of products as those which benefit your face; products with retinol, hyaluronic acid, and collagen.
None of these skincare products is a substitute for a neck lift, nor are there any topical products that can give you the kind of results a neck lift offers, but they can help to maintain your results for the full 10-15 years. Most crucially, be sure to apply sunscreen regularly. Your sunscreen should be a minimum of 30 SPF, and it’s important to re-apply sunscreen every hour or so and after going into the water.
FAQ About a Neck Lift
Is There a Right Age for This Procedure?
Most people who have a lift are between the ages of 40 and 70; however, there is no one “best” age for getting a lift. The question isn’t your age but whether or not you are dissatisfied with the look of your neck. If you’re suffering from loose skin and excess fat under your chin, then it’s a good time to consider getting a lift. There are even people under the age of 40 who can benefit from this procedure, often because they have lost a lot of weight, but also just because they want a slimmer look.
Who Is a Good Candidate?
Most people who are generally in good health are good candidates for treatment. If you’re displeased with the amount of excess fat and skin under your chin, come talk to us about whether a lift could help. There are a few health conditions that could disqualify you, but these are relatively rare. Come for a consultation to find out more about your unique situation.
Is My Reason for Seeking a Neck Lift Valid?
This procedure does basically two things. First, it removes excess fat. Second, it lifts the skin of the neck into a higher and tighter position. As a result, you look slimmer, with a more defined jawline. Common reasons that people seek out this surgery include to:
- Remove unwanted fat
- Redefine the jawline
- Correct overly loose or sagging skin
Ultimately, the best reason to get this procedure is that you want it. There’s no bad reason to want to change or improve your look, so long as you’re doing it for yourself and not for anyone else!
Should You Consider Combining Treatments?
Depending on the results you’re seeking and your personal situation, this could be a great time to combine procedures. At the Kagan Institute, we offer a comprehensive array of surgical and non-surgical treatments, many of which can be combined to help you get the look you want. A facelift or eyelift can give you a more all-around younger look, while dermal fillers or threads are less invasive ways to improve your look. Some of the options to consider include:
- Non-surgical nose shaping
- Cheek augmentation
- RF skin tightening
Laser skin rejuvenation, like IPL treatments, can also help to correct skin blemishes, tighten the skin, and reduce the signs of aging. Neuromodulators can stop excessive muscle movement and allow certain wrinkles in the face to smooth out. Whatever your anti-aging goals, come talk to us. We can help!
Is This Procedure Safe?
The most important factor in any surgical procedure is the surgeon. You never want to trust your health to anyone without the skill, training, and experience to deliver the best results, safely.
Dr. Kagan is a third-generation physician who has earned some of the highest available honors and completed several surgical fellowships and internships in addition to medical school. He is a teacher and trainer of surgeons, helping to guide others in the latest techniques. In 2005, he was named one of the country’s top physicians and surgeons by The American Consumer Council. Your procedure is in good hands.
Will I Have To Do Anything Special Before My Lift?
Before your procedure, we’ll give you a list of any instructions you need to follow. These are important to follow and could include things like the following:
- Temporarily stop or adjust certain blood-thinning medications
- Temporarily stop taking certain over-the-counter supplements
- Avoid certain foods for three days before treatment
- Avoid all alcohol and tobacco for the week prior to your procedure
You may also want to arrange for transport to and from your procedure on the day, and if you have children or active pets, it’s always a good idea to get someone to give you a hand for a few days, just to make things easier.
Will I Have to Do Anything Special After My Lift?
As with pre-treatment guidelines, we’ll let you know if there’s anything special you need to do. For most people, though, the main things you’ll need to do will include:
- Avoid tobacco and alcohol for about a week after treatment
- Avoid the use of certain supplements, medications, or products for a few days, as discussed with us
- Avoid strenuous activity and exercise for a few days
- Avoid excessive heat, such as you might find in a sauna, for a few days
- Sleep elevated for about a week after treatment
Other aftercare guidelines will include things like avoiding pressing on the incision sites and avoiding any clothes that have to be pulled over your head to get them on. Overall, this is not a difficult treatment to recover from. Most people are fully recovered around seven to 14 days after their treatment and are able to go back to all their normal activities.
How Can I Prepare for My Initial Consultation?
When you’re ready to talk to Dr. Kagan about your lift, there are a couple of things you can do to ensure that you get all the information you need and that we can help you make the best possible decisions. First, be sure to make a comprehensive list of all medications and supplements that you take. Some people prefer to just bring in the bottles, but the important thing is that you make a note of everything you take and how much you take. If you’ve ever had surgery before, let us know.
It’s also a good idea to get an examination by your primary care physician before you meet with us. Your primary care doctor can make sure you are in good health for surgery. Finally, be sure to write down a list of all the questions you have. It’s easy to forget something important in the middle of a consultation!
How Long Will I Have To Wait to See the Final Results of My Procedure?
Your personal results will depend on your unique situation, and we can give you a better idea of when to expect your final results during your consultation. For most people, final results appear from a few weeks to six months after their procedure, as the incision lines fade and your skin settles into its new position. We’ll give you aftercare guidelines to follow, and, in general, the more diligent you are about following them, the faster you will see your results.
Reverse the Signs of Aging Today
You don’t have to settle for looking your age. With a neck lift, you can look 12 years younger and keep that look for as long as 10 to 15 years. There isn’t too much you can do to slow the aging process itself, but a lift will help turn back the clock on your look. To learn more about this procedure or discover if it is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Kagan at Kagan Institute in Los Angeles, CA or Encino, CA.
