Sagging skin under the chin – what can I do?

I have sagging skin under my chin on my neck and it's starting to be noticable and wobbles when I move my head. I am 58 and considering Ultherapy and/or Tria home laser device. I currently use NuFace microcurrent every day and have noticed some improvement in my face, not so much my neck. I take great care of my skin and user good products on it. There seem to be so many options...... Thanks

Don’t you love just love the names for this: turkey wattles, jowls, etc? They all just sound awful! Anyways, here’s the first thing you need to figure out; and you may need your doctor’s help. You have to figure out first what is causing the sagging skin problem, because otherwise you’ll just be wasting your money on treatments that don’t work for you, not to mention your time.

Potential Sagging Skin Causes

So, is the problem really just loose skin? Can you pull the saggy skin, and just the skin, away from under the chin area and be sure that there is really no fat pad there? If the problem is really a fat pad that is loosening with age and/or moving a little, then skin tightening won’t work well. Also, are those vertical stringy bands (platysmal bands) part of the problem? If those are part of the problem, then they will need to addressed separately.

Treating Sagging Skin Under the Chin

Bottom line for loose skin: In my opinion,  and since you are 58 (at 38 it could be different), don’t waste your time on the Tria or the NuFace. You’ll get temporary and very minimal results. The Ultherapy, Thermage, Pelleve, Exilis, TheriSmooth, all sound based devices, may help tighten the skin a little there. So if you just need a little tightening, consider those first.  Surgery is an option.

Bottom line for fat:  If you have a fat pad that’s small to medium sized, Kybella is definately a go for treating. If you have a large fat pad, then consider the Coolmini or Kybella. Here’s an article I wrote about Kybella, with some more information on how it works and treatment duration.

Bottom line for platysmas bands: Try Botox/Dysport first and then consider a surgical option if very prominent.

The technology to watch:  The Thermitight (NOT the Thermismooth). If you can find someone in your area who is experienced with this, consider it!!

A great neck cream for mild sagging: If you’re just dealing with a little loose skin, try Nectifirm Advanced by Revision. It will help with the laxity, and also improve fine lines and overall texture. We get such great feedback on this product from our patients at my clinic. It’s one of the best neck creams we’ve tested.

Hope this helps,  Dr. I

Dr. Brandith Irwin, MD

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Hi, I’m Dr. Irwin. I believe that consumers deserve a medically trained and unbiased skin care advocate.

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