As we age, it is common for the skin on our necks to sag more so than when we were younger. This can be exacerbated by weight loss, sun exposure and posture.
If this is spotted at an early stage then great, it is likely that it can be stopped from deteriorating as fast with the use of non-invasive preventative measures. Unfortunately, if it is not spotted early then it may be too far for non-invasive treatments to work and it may even require surgery to fix.
At our Botox and filler training courses at the Dr Hennessy Academy in Preston, we provide teaching on Botox techniques such as Botox neck lifts as well as give advice on how to fix droopy eyelids with Botox, among other subjects. However, one of the most important things that we can teach is the knowledge of when and when not to use Botulinum toxin on patients.
Therefore, it is important to know the limits of Botox’s effectiveness and what it can and can’t fix. So, is neck Botox effective for sagging skin? Here is our verdict.
What causes a sagging neck?
Sagging neck skin may be the result of a multitude of factors, although the usual suspects are age, sun exposure, and sudden weight loss.
To understand the causes of a sagging neck, it is best to first understand what a sagging neck is. Going forward, we will be referring specifically to the ‘turkey neck’ type of sagging neck as opposed to other neck problems such as double chins or jowl lines.
The number one cause of sagging necks is age. As we get older, the collagen and elastin in our skin can reduce, leading to skin losing its elasticity and beginning to sag. Collagen can be broken down prematurely by sun exposure, which is worsened by the fact that the skin on the neck is very thin.
On top of this, when someone gains weight, the skin stretches in order to accommodate the body’s growth. If someone loses weight quickly then this can lead to an excess amount of skin that has been stretched without the ability to return its pre-weight gain properties.
Can Botox help sagging neck?
Botox for neck sagging may be effective, but only in a very specific number of cases and if the sagging is minimal.
You may be able to tell from the most common causes of a sagging neck that we listed that none of them are as a result of muscle contractions. As Botox is injected into the muscles as a relaxant, this will have no effect on sagging neck skin.
So, when can Botox be used to address problems with the skin on the neck?
Platysma muscle Botox injection
The muscle in the neck is called the platysma. This is a large, mostly flat muscle that extends from the neck down to the collarbone and the chest. A unique feature of this muscle is that it is located within the superficial layer of the cervical fascia, closer to the skin as opposed to other muscles that are found deep within the subcutaneous tissue.
At the front of the neck are two platysma bands. These are two vertical neck lines that can appear when you perform certain facial expressions. They often look like strong, prominent ridges. Sagging skin on the neck can enhance the appearance of these bands, which can then contribute to the appearance of a ‘turkey neck’.
Platysma bands can also become more prominent if the platysma muscle is more active. In which case, Botox in the neck can be used to reduce their appearance. While this may not exactly be Botox for a turkey neck, it will help to improve the aesthetics of the neck.
This improvement in appearance will last for around 3-6 months before a follow up appointment will be needed. The results from the appointments will slowly compound, meaning that appointments will be more sporadic as time goes on.
Learn more uses of Botox at Dr Hennessy Academy
A lot of people only associate Botox with the upper face, when there are actually many other uses of the toxin such as jaw Botox and Botox to prevent teeth grinding.
To learn more and become a Botox practitioner yourself, book onto one of our Botox foundation courses and get ready to begin a new and profitable career.
