Aging Neck
Introduction
As we get older the effect of gravity has a greater impact on us. Gravity causes all our tissues to stretch downwards. As we age, we may also develop excess fat which can exacerbate the aging of our neck.
Symptoms
Aging causes us to develop a “turkey neck” – poor cervico mento hyoid angle. If you have a look at the side profile of a person in their early 20’s you will see that they have a very sharp angle between their chin and their neck. This angle is called the cervico mento hyoid angle. As we age – this angle becomes flatter – and may be obliterated in some people completely. This can make people feel like they don’t have a neckline anymore.
Patients can also develop significant excess skin in the neck – due to laxity of the skin. This laxity can bunch up into wrinkles which makes the changes of an aging neck look worse. On top of this as we put on weight we can develop excessive submental fat – which worsens the cervico mento hyoid angle. The obliteration of this angle as well as the excess fat causes the classic “turkey neck” appearance.
Treatment
To reverse the aging effects Dr Robinson performs a neck lift with platysmaplasty. This can also be combined – if appropriate – with excision of fat from the submental region.
This procedure creates a corset in the midline by sewing the two edges of the platyma together and then this is pulled laterally and secured to the periosteum of the mastoid (bone behind the ear). This gives a very effective improvement in the youthful appearance of the neck which is long-lasting.
Gallery
You can view before and after patient photos of Aging Neck in the Necklift Gallery.
Related Information
To discuss fixing your aging meck, please make an appointment with Dr Dan Robinson.
