One of the most common complaints patients express about their appearance is the shape of their neck. The neck is one of the most visible areas in the body, and its loss of shape and contour is a telltale sign of age.
With weight gain, there can be fat deposits below the chin which obscure the youthful angle of the neck. The underlying muscle also weakens and splits into bands, which contributes to the loss of neck shape and contour.
Necklift procedures typically involve an incision below the chin and behind the ear. The skin is “undermined” to allow it to move freely. The muscle is sewn tightly in the middle from the collarbone to the chin, and the excess skin is removed from behind the ear. Excess fat can be removed through the chin incision. This procedure is best done in conjunction with a facelift, so that the youthful neck will match the face.
A less invasive way to restore a more youthful appearance to the neck is with liposuction (see above photo). The incision is less than a centimeter, and is concealed below the chin. There are several methods to remove the fat, including laser liposuction (Smart liposuction or SLIM liposuction), ultrasound liposuction (VASER), and traditional tumescent liposuction. After the liposuction is complete, the patient wears a compression band for a few days. The recovery is very quick, with minimal pain and swelling. The results are immediate and improve for up to 6 months. The skin will recontour to the underlying neck muscles to improve the shape of the neck and restore the youthful appearance of the neck.
Dr. John Burns, a Dallas plastic surgeon, would love the opportunity to discuss your cosmetic surgery goals with you. To schedule a neck contouring consultation with Dr. John Burns, just call his office at 214-515-0002 or send him an email through his website or at Info@DrJohnBurns.com.
Fraxel is the current leader in fractionated laser technology for cosmetic purposes. The technology behind this revolutionary laser, fractional photothermolysis, delivers laser energy in microscopic pulses which treat the skin deeply but in a more gentle fashion than other lasers. Fraxel comes in three forms: Re:Fine, Re:Store, and Re:Pair.
The Fraxel Re:Fine laser is an “erbium” laser and is the least aggressive of the three Fraxel lasers. It is manufactured for use in medical spas, and treatments can be administered by a trained aesthetician or nurse. The Fraxel Re:Store laser is a more aggressive version of the Re:Fine laser, and is intended to be used in physician offices. Both lasers will improve the texture and tone of skin through the process of collagen remodeling. In addition, the color of skin will be improved by removing age spots and uneven skin color. There is little recovery time with either of these lasers, but improvement in wrinkles is not as significant as some patients desire. Continue reading ‘Fraxel: Repair your skin and remove those wrinkles’
Some of my patients have recently asked about the safety of Botox Cosmetic, in light of recent negative news reports involving “Botox.” No need to worry! It is widely known that Botox Cosmetic is derived from botulinum toxin. The recent news reports refer to adverse patient complications involving a different type of botulinum toxin than Botox Cosmetic. The “Botox” referred to in the recent news reports is instead a much more concentrated version of botulinum toxin, and it was being used to treat severe neuromuscular conditions in certain pediatric patients. These types of patients receive doses of the botulinum toxin at much higher levels than the normal cosmetic patient. In the cases recently reported in the news, a few children suffered serious complications because they received even more excessive doses of the botulinum toxin. Continue reading ‘Patients Ask: Is Botox Cosmetic Safe?’
For many, full lips convey a sense of youth and vitality. As people age, they tend to lose volume in their face, which begins to look shallow and hollow. One particular area that demonstrates this loss in the early years of aging is the lips, which begin to lose their volume in the person’s late 40’s or early 50’s. Lip augmentation is a relatively simple procedure which can restore much needed volume in the aging face, or in anyone who has naturally thin lips.
Lip augmentation can be achieved with a wide variety of natural or synthetic products. Some examples would be a patient’s own fat or fascia, alloderm, silicone implants, or injectable fillers such as Restylane or Juvederm. Most doctors will have a preference on which method works best for them and their patients. Continue reading ‘The Basics of Lip Augmentation’
