Aging is a nondiscriminatory process that can affect every area of the body over time. One of the areas that can cause significant embarrassment and dissatisfaction with the appearance due to its visibility, is the neck. Even people who have put in a lot of effort into maintaining a youthful mien may have neglected their necks, allowing it to reveal their true age. Whether an isolated concern or a continuation of the signs of aging on the face, the aging neck can diminish your self-confidence.
Skin laxity is especially problematic in the neck due to the comparatively thinner skin in this area, leading the formation of loose skin folds commonly referred to as the “turkey wattle.” Banding around the neck may also be a concern, exacerbated in this day and age by long stretches of looking down at myriad technological devices. The primary goal of addressing these aging issues is to tighten up the skin of the neck and create a smoother, more contoured appearance. But what is the best method for accomplishing this goal?
The Surgical Neck Lift
The traditional approach to treating aging in the neck has been the surgical neck lift. This procedure involves excision of loose, excess skin while repositioning underlying muscle and tissue to create a naturally youthful profile. Sometimes, liposuction will also be performed especially in the under chin area to excise a double chin, and restore a beautiful jaw line. Dr. Lowenstein uses the minimally-invasive Vaser liposuction system, which utilizes ultrasound energy to melt fat before it is removed through a thin tube called a cannula. This technique makes the fat easier to remove and may be especially useful in areas with larger volumes or denser fat. It also results in a less-aggressive procedure, which may lead to faster recovery times.
While a surgical neck lift requires general anesthesia and recovery time afterward, the outcome of the procedure can be both profound and very long-lasting. Dr. Lowenstein takes care to strategically place his incisions where visible scarring will be minimal. The incisions allow for correction of the lower dermal structure, muscle and tissue while removing the loose skin and smoothing the surface of the neck.
Dr. Lowenstein performs traditional neck lifts at Montecito Plastic Surgery for patients looking for dramatic results that can stand the test of time. The procedure can be done with a facelift or alone, depending on the aesthetic goals of the patient. However, unlike other plastic surgeons across the country, Dr. Lowenstein is not limited to the traditional techniques when it comes to offering his patients superior outcomes.
What is Renuvion Cosmetic Technology?
Dr. Lowenstein is one of the few plastic surgeons in the country qualified to offer minimally-invasive Renuvion Cosmetic Technology as an alternative with his traditional neck lifts. Powered by J-Plasma energy, this device utilizes radio frequency energy to deliver a precise stream of cool helium plasma to tighten and firm skin from the inside out. Renuvion Cosmetic Technology can also be applied to all parts of the body, not just the neck – shrinking and strengthening skin around the arms, abdomen, and even the knees, without the need to cut away skin and leave long and unsightly scars.
This cutting-edge technology administers the energized stream to the underside of the dermis, using a small tube like the one utilized for liposuction suction treatments. Instead of removing fat cells, this tube sends the plasma energy to the inner dermal structure, where it both constricts skin tissue and stimulates collagen production for long-lasting improvement. The precision and controlled temperature of the plasma beam, combined with the ability to treat the inner portion of the dermis, produces a superior and immediate tightening effect without damaging the outer dermal surface or surrounding tissue, and the results only get better in the following weeks and months.
Less Invasive, More Effective
Renuvion Cosmetic Technology is the long-awaited alternative to more invasive procedures. It does not require that skin be removed, plus it offers similarly long-lasting and dramatic anti-aging results when administered by an experienced plastic surgeon like Dr. Lowenstein. The incisions used to insert the cannula for the treatment are very small and leave little or no scarring behind. It can also be performed in conjunction with Vaser liposuction. The procedure can often be performed using local anesthesia with sedation, reducing risks and recovery time associated with the surgery. The recovery process after your Renuvion procedure is usually less than a week, which is shorter than the downtime after a traditional neck lift.
With Renuvion Cosmetic Technology, Dr. Lowenstein can enhance the thin, crepey skin of the neck. Collagen production is stimulated by the procedure, providing essential support to the dermal structure of the neck over time, thickening and strengthening the skin and smoothing away lines. Results can often be seen much faster than a traditional neck lift, as tightening is evident right away and there is not substantial bruising or swelling to mask the outcome of the procedure during the recovery process. The surgery can be tailored to the patient’s needs, so you receive just the amount of correction you require – no more, no less.
J-Plasma energy has been long been shown to be safe and effective in numerous surgical procedures, and Renuvion has FDA clearance for the cutting, coagulation and ablation of soft tissue during open and laparoscopic surgical procedures. While the cosmetic benefits of this technology have only recently been realized, the outstanding and immediate results it provides means that you will likely soon see it being performed all over the world. As one of the pioneering board-certified surgeons providing this procedure, Dr. Lowenstein has the expertise and experience to help you get the best possible results out of it.
Getting the Best Treatment For You
For patients who require the additional repositioning of underlying muscles, a traditional neck lift may be a more suitable solution. But for patients who just need to address the skin, Renuvion Cosmetic Technology is enough to tighten the skin and create a smoother, more youthful contour with less discomfort and downtime.
Restore Youthful Beauty to the Neck
Dr. Lowenstein is one of a handful of plastic surgeons across the country who performs this procedure, offering his patients a unique anti-aging solution. To learn more about how to reverse signs of aging in the neck using the most innovative techniques available today, contact Montecito Plastic Surgery at 805-969-9004.
