“There is a certain vulnerability to the neck…It’s a sensual place to explore.” says Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph.D., author of Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.
Some women, such as prime-of-life actresses Charlize Theron, Keri Russell, and Molly Sims, are born beautiful. But even the most beautiful neck can fall victim to time and gravity. Weight gain may lead to a double chin, and underlying lax muscle can compound loose skin, adding years to a person’s overall facial appearance.
How, then, do celebrities and A-listers such as Meryl Streep (63), Isabelle Huppert (60), and Helen Mirren (68) manage to maintain their beauty despite growing older? A little neck work is often the answer.
Surgical Solutions for Sagging Necks
A neck lift, on its own or combined with a face lift, remains the best bet for a striking, lasting fix. When performed expertly and with great attention to detail, neck lift surgery can dramatically restore a natural and youthful neck profile, with no outward evidence that surgery has been performed.
Surgical procedures are becoming increasingly popular for women to get rid of tell-tale turkey wattle or loose skin under the chin. Facelifts, liposuction, and chin augmentation procedures help tighten the muscles of the neck, while excess skin removal is another option that can rejuvenate an ageing neck.
Non-Surgical Neck Treatments Cheat Time
Looking for something less invasive? According to recent statistics from the AAFPRS, patients are increasingly interested in non-surgical treatments to improve the look of their necks. In fact two-thirds of all enhancements performed to revitalise the neck area are non-surgical.
Radiofrequency treatments encourage collagen formation to plump and firm the skin around the neck. A single treatment can improve the contours of under-chin laxity in patients roughly 40 to 55 years old who aren’t ready for surgery or don’t want it.
Careful liposuctioning of excess fat can help streamline a full neck. The procedure uses a saline solution to liquefy the fat in the neck before it is removed. This procedure is generally most appropriate for people who still have relatively youthful elastic skin that can bounce back after the procedure.
Age-Defying Neck Treatments at Home
Your neck and décolletage are two of the most visible, and delicate, parts of your body. The skin in these areas is thin and contains less supportive collagen than the face. Unless you take care, your neck will show the effects of sun damage and ageing more quickly than your face, making you look older than your years.
Give your neck and décolletage the same love you give your facial skin with a daily beauty regimen that includes a cleanser, anti-ageing cream, moisturising serum at night, and an SPF in the morning.
A Blast from the Past
Toupee tape has been appropriated as breast Hollywood tape by the younger generation who want to avoid unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions. For more mature stars it is used as a temporary way to help sagging neck skin appear more youthful.
Marlene Dietrich is credited with pioneering this unusual use of surgical tape in the 1930’s. She concealed the tape under a wig and simply thanked people when they praised her gorgeous firm neck. Unbelievably, this inexpensive trick is still used on the red carpet today.