Procedure 101: Fillers for Neck Sagging

Last Updated On: November 20, 2024

As the awareness of neck aging, often referred to as ‘tech neck,’ has grown, so has the popularity of neck rejuvenation treatments. For many, neck sagging can be an aesthetic concern, and many turn to noninvasive procedures. Neck-sagging fillers are a promising solution that can help people have a youthful and smoother neck without surgery.

Neck Aging and Sagging: What You Should Know

The neck skin is more fragile and more sensitive than other parts of the body, making it especially vulnerable to signs of aging. Prolonged sun exposure, loss of collagen, and repetitive downward gazing (such as by phone and laptop users) can all lead to neck sagging and visible lines. These concerns have driven the demand for effective aesthetic treatments to treat neck aging.

Dermal fillers for saggy neck aim to restore lost volume, reduce horizontal lines, and firm the skin. Sculptra, Juvederm, and Restylane Vital Light are common fillers used for saggy neck skin, and all have shown impressive results.

What Fillers Do to Rejuvenate the Neck

Fillers for sagging neck skin, injectable solutions that provide volume, hydration, and structure to the skin, are a great option. Often, these fillers also contain ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which is famous for its moisture-binding and collagen production-boosting properties. Medical professionals can inject fillers in the subdermal layers to achieve noticeable lifting and smoothing of the neck area, eliminating sagging and reducing deep lines.

• Sculptra is a popular choice for neck rejuvenation because it works by stimulating the body’s natural collagen production. Unlike other fillers, which mostly serve to add volume, Sculptra actually encourages skin tightening and the regeneration of collagen. This makes it particularly effective for those experiencing moderate to severe sagging.

• Juvederm is another effective treatment for sagging necks. Juvederm is excellent for reducing wrinkles and providing instant hydration, making skin smoother and more elastic. Juvederm’s thicker consistency makes it ideal for deeper creases often seen on the neck.

• Restylane is a third popular choice. Restylane is made of hyaluronic acid, which works to restore volume, improve hydration, and reduce fine lines. It is especially beneficial at giving you a smoother, firmer neck, which is an optimal choice if you have moderate neck laxity.

Can Fillers Fix a Turkey Neck?

People often wonder if fillers can completely correct a “turkey neck,” a condition characterized by severe neck sagging and drooping. Fillers can help with skin texture, firmness, and lines, but they won’t get rid of a pronounced turkey neck. For more advanced sagging, a combination of dermal fillers with other treatments such as radiofrequency (RF) therapy or Botox may be recommended.

A qualified provider determines the best filler type and injection strategy only after conducting a thorough assessment to determine the degree of neck laxity.

Best Fillers for Sagging Neck

When selecting the optimal fillers for sagging neck skin, several effective options are available:

• Sculptra: Best for stimulating collagen production and providing long-term tightening.
• Juvederm: Perfect for providing immediate volume and hydration.
• Restylane Vital Light: It is especially effective in enhancing skin quality, diminishing horizontal lines, and providing a smoother appearance.

Treatment Expectations

The administration of fillers to the neck is a fairly quick procedure, usually taking less than an hour. It’s minimally invasive and has little to no downtime. Minor bruising or swelling at the injection sites may occur but should subside within a few days.

Results from most fillers last between 6 months and 2 years, depending on the specific filler composition and the patient’s skin characteristics. Sculptra generally provides a more enduring effect due to its stimulation of collagen production, whereas hyaluronic acid-based fillers such as Juvederm may require more regular maintenance.

Neck Rejuvenation: Non-Invasive and Combination Treatments

While fillers are a great way to treat neck sagging, they aren’t the only noninvasive option available; there are other options that can be used to supplement or even replace fillers based on your needs. These treatments can be combined to make a more complete neck rejuvenation.

Non-Invasive Alternatives

• Radiofrequency (RF) Therapy: RF therapy works by heating the skin to stimulate collagen production, tighten the skin, and reduce sagging. For patients with mild to moderate neck laxity, this is a viable option for those who don’t want to have surgery.
• Ultrasound Skin Tightening: Ultherapy works by using ultrasound technology to penetrate deep into the skin layers and stimulate collagen production and the lifting of the neck area. This is a wonderful alternative for those who don’t want an injection-based treatment.
• Botox for Neck Bands: Vertical neck bands can be relaxed through the use of Botox in the platysma muscles. Relaxing these muscles can make the neck look smoother and firmer.

Combination Therapies

Innovative combination therapies in aesthetic medicine have recently been introduced to increase the effects of neck fillers.

• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: The patient’s own blood is used to obtain PRP, which is rich in growth factors that promote tissue regeneration and collagen synthesis. If used in conjunction with fillers, PRP can prolong the duration of results and enhance skin elasticity, providing a more comprehensive rejuvenation effect.
• Thread Lifting with Fillers: Dissolvable sutures are used to lift and tighten sagging skin in thread lifting. In combination with fillers, it is able to provide both volume restoration and structural lifting, providing a fuller neck rejuvenation. For patients needing both skin tightening and volume enhancement but who don’t want invasive surgical procedures, this is especially helpful.

These combination treatments and alternatives can be customized to each patient in order to provide the best possible results, assuring neck rejuvenation is as effective and as personalized as it can be.

FAQs

When will I see results from neck fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm show results immediately, while collagen stimulators like Sculptra can take several weeks to show results because the collagen is being stimulated to grow. The full effect usually takes 3–6 months.

Are fillers painful for a saggy neck?

It is generally well tolerated. The majority of fillers contain a numbing agent, and more local anesthetic can be applied to reduce pain during the injections for sagging neck.

What are the side effects?

The most common side effects are redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. Infections and lumps are rare but can be more serious. Always seek a licensed medical professional for safe and effective treatment.

Can fillers be combined with other neck rejuvenation treatments?

Fillers can be used in combination with Botox, radiofrequency (RF) therapy, or ultrasound skin tightening for more complete neck rejuvenation.

How often should I repeat the treatment?

Collagen-stimulating fillers, such as Sculptra, can last up to 2 years, while hyaluronic acid fillers usually need to be repeated every 6–12 months.

As neck aging concerns become more common, treatments to lift sagging skin are growing in popularity. An effective, nonsurgical solution to restore skin volume and texture is fillers for neck sagging. When used in conjunction with other advanced techniques such as PRP therapy or thread lifting, the results are even more impressive, providing additional lifting and skin rejuvenation. With a treatment plan tailored by a skilled medical professional, individuals can get a firmer, more youthful neck appearance that is suited to their specific needs and aging profile.

References

1. Alam M, Gladstone H, Kramer EM, et al. Injectable Poly-L-Lactic Acid for Skin and Soft Tissue Augmentation: Consensus Recommendations. Dermatol Surg. 2022;48(3):345-352. doi:10.1002/der2.238. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/der2.238
2. Go BC, Frost AS, Friedman O. Using injectable fillers for chin and jawline rejuvenation. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023. https://mednexus.org/doi/full/10.1002/wjo2.93
3. Lee SK, Kim HS. Correction of horizontal neck lines: Our preliminary experience with hyaluronic acid fillers. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2017. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocd.12382
4. Rohrich RJ. Introduction to the Restylane consensus statement. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2006;117(3 Suppl):1S-2S. https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2006/03001/Introduction_to_the_Restylane_Consensus_Statement.1.aspx
5. Sundaram H, Voigts B, Beer K, Meland M. Comparison of the rheological properties of viscosity and elasticity in two categories of soft tissue fillers: calcium hydroxylapatite and hyaluronic acid. Dermatol Surg. 2010;36:1859-1865. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20969663/
6. Christen MO. Collagen stimulators in body applications: a review focused on poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA). Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:997-1019. doi:10.2147/CCID.S359813. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9233565/
7. Jones A, Smith B. The Role of Combination Therapies in Neck Rejuvenation: An Overview of PRP and Thread Lifting with Fillers. J Aesthetic Dermatol. 2021;45(5):456-467. doi:10.1080/17474086.2021.1860002. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17474086.2021.1860002
8. Smith C, Lee J. PRP and Filler Combination Therapy for Enhanced Skin Rejuvenation. Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2019;37(2):120-127. doi:10.1016/j.clindermatol.2019.07.003. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6756638/