Neck Options in New York: Kybella and More
If a double chin or sagging neck bothers you enough that you’re researching treatment online, you’ve no doubt discovered that there are more options than ever these days. Patients who originally thought they might need a neck lift in New York now come see us asking about Kybella and liposuction too. How do you know which option is best for you?
Here are some advantages and cautions for you to think over.
Kybella
Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable treatment that dissolves fat under the chin. It contains deoxycholic acid, a natural substance, which destroys fat cells so the body can cleanse them from your system over a few weeks’ time. Patients usually receive several tiny injections of Kybella during their first session, and many times one treatment is sufficient. Occasionally patients with a large amount of fat or who need some fine-tuning require a second session. As one of the first practices in New York to use Kybella, we’re experienced at getting a great result.
Younger men and women with reasonably good skin tone are often the best candidates for Kybella. New York patients are enthusiastic about this non-invasive option, as it requires no downtime in most cases and can cost less than other procedures. One caution: Kybella can only treat fat located directly under the chin. If you have deposits in other places on the neck, liposuction is a better choice.
Liposuction
For those with a substantial amount of fat under the chin and on the neck, and for people looking for more immediate improvement, liposuction may be the best option. The cannula used for neck liposuction is quite small and the procedure takes a short amount of time, so recovery is usually just a few days long.
Liposuction is also a good choice for people whose skin is likely to bounce back into place after treatment. Liposuction does not remove lax skin nor tighten prominent neck cords known as “platysmal bands.”
Botox
For a few men and women, the main neck issue is an overactive platysmal muscle, resulting in vertical bands that contribute to an aged appearance. Occasionally, for patients seeking a non-invasive procedure, we’ll recommend Botox injections to relax the bands. This option was recognized as a viable use of Botox as long ago as 1999! It works best for younger patients and can be expected to last a few months.
Neck Lift
For older patients with some combination of fat deposits, lax skin and platysmal bands, a neck lift is still the gold standard treatment. This straightforward cosmetic surgery addresses all those issues in just a couple hours in our fully accredited surgical suite. We use twilight sedation in most cases, so people go home the same day feeling awake and alert.
Although patients normally experience some swelling and bruising, discomfort after surgery is usually mild. Most men and women can return to work in two weeks or less. Neck lift surgery can be combined with other procedures such as a facelift or an eyelid lift for more dramatic rejuvenation.
It’s Not Your Fault!
The neck can be a surprisingly troublesome area that contributes more than its share to early aging. We see plenty of young men and women in New York with a double chin. We also consult with many people who aren’t yet senior citizens but have saggy skin and/or ropy neck muscles. For these folks, the neck can be a source of frustration.
If this is you, do not worry that you’ve done something wrong. For one thing, know that neck skin is very delicate. We all have fat deposits under the chin, and skin loses its ability to rein them in over time. Environmental damage can hasten the process, but your double chin is probably due in large part to genetics. Similarly, ropy neck muscles tend to run in families.
As you can see, there are more options than ever for treating your neck. With over three decades of experience serving the men and women of greater New York, we know them all well. We can help you learn more and work with you to come up with just the right strategy. Give us a call at 212-570-6080 today!
