Do You Need a Neck Lift or Just Some Neck Yoga?
Sometimes called a “turkey neck,” the sagging skin that often occurs in the neck and chin area is a common facial aging concern for both women and men. Although it’s a common problem, many people are at a loss for how to improve the appearance of sagging skin and restore a younger, smoother look. This begs the question: can yoga exercises do anything to treat sagging skin, or is there a more effective alternative?
What Causes Sagging Skin?
To fully understand how sagging skin is best treated, we have to first understand what causes it. Years of exposure to the sun’s UV rays and harmful air pollution, along with the natural aging process, the structural elements of our skin begin to break down. On top of that, our bodies begin to produce less of these substances, so our skin is no longer able to replenish collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid as quickly as it once could. These pressures lead to loss of skin elasticity (Dermato-endocrinology).
Does Neck Yoga Really Work?
Face or neck yoga is centered on the idea that a person can look younger by performing a series of face and neck exercises and massages that help to strengthen the underlying muscles. As with other forms of yoga, there is also a meditative and relaxation aspect to this practice.
In truth, however, the lasting benefits of neck yoga may stop there. The problem is that because sagging skin is primarily caused by the loss of collagen and elastin, building up the underlying muscles, unfortunately, isn’t going to affect the laxity of your skin. So while face and neck yoga might be relaxing, these exercises aren’t likely to make you look younger.
What Results Can a Neck Lift Offer?
Because of the reasons behind the formation of sagging skin and wrinkles, the only proven treatment method that can offer long-lasting, dramatic results are surgical procedures like a neck lift or a face lift. A neck lift involves removing and tightening excess skin in the chin and neck areas to reveal a better defined jawline and smoother facial contours (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). In some cases, men and women who aren’t ready for a full face lift choose to have a neck lift to address only the lower region of their face. Some people may also choose to combine procedures such as a brow lift or eyelid surgery to provide a rejuvenating effect in these areas as well.
A neck lift won’t change your physical characteristics, meaning that you’ll still look like the same person, just a younger and reinvigorated version of yourself. And while it can’t stop the aging process, a neck lift procedure can offer very long-lasting results that just aren’t possible using creams or exercises.
Taking the Next Step
If sagging skin, jowls, or wrinkles in your chin and neck area are keeping you from looking and feeling your best, a neck lift procedure could be the most appropriate solution for you. While other nonsurgical methods of “lifting” might claim to be able to provide similar results, the truth is that topical creams, injectables, and exercises can only do so much when it comes to providing long-lasting results.
Once you have decided that a neck lift is something that you’re interested in learning more about, the next step is to choose the right plastic surgeon for your procedure. At Premier Plastic Surgery & Dermatology, of Pittsburgh and Wexford, our board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Heil has extensive experience performing neck lifts and other plastic surgery procedures. His skill, training, and attention to detail make Dr. Heil one of the top 10 percent of plastic surgeons in the Pittsburgh area.
For more information about your neck lift options, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Heil, please contact us at 724-264-3608 and take the next step toward achieving a younger and smoother appearance.
