NeckTite: The Latest Non-Invasive Cosmetic Procedure Aimed At Sculpting Skin
When you consider the function of the neck — moving up and down and side to side to carry your head wherever it needs to go — it becomes clearer why we tend to see signs of premature aging in this area. The constant movement of your neck requires repeated stretching and retraction of the skin. Your skin's natural reserves of collagen and elastin are what allow the skin on your neck to bounce back from this excessive amount of pulling and stretching (via Cascade Facial Surgery & Aesthetics).
However, as you age, your skin's collagen and elastin production decreases. Because of its years of faithful service, the neck is often the first place to reveal that this reduction in collagen and elastin production has begun. As if it isn't at enough of a disadvantage, the neck also receives as much sun exposure as the face does and is much more likely to be left out of anti-aging skincare routines.
No wonder neck lifts are one of the most common cosmetic surgery procedures performed in the U.S. (via Popp Cosmetic Surgery). However, surgery is not your only option for addressing sagging, wrinkling, and other signs of aging on your neck. A minimally invasive, semi-permanent radiofrequency-assisted procedure called NeckTite is now available, and it may be worth looking into if you're on the search for a smoother-looking neck.
What does a NeckTite procedure entail?
NeckTite is one of a suite of minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures, including BodyTite and FaceTite. All of these procedures use a process known as "radio frequency-assisted liposuction" to heat, melt, and remove fat tissue (via FosterMD Facial Plastic Surgery).
"During a NeckTite procedure, a small cannula is inserted through tiny incisions in the neck," Dr. Michelle Henry tells PopSugar. "The cannula delivers radiofrequency energy, which heats and melts targeted fat cells. The melted fat is then gently suctioned out via liposuction, while the radiofrequency energy stimulates collagen production for skin tightening."
Typically, NeckTite procedures are performed under local anesthesia, so you will not be asleep during the appointment. Instead, a topical anesthetic will likely be applied to the future incision site, and then a mixture that includes lidocaine will be injected to numb the neck area. While you might feel some uncomfortable pulling or tugging sensations during the procedure, you should not experience any actual pain.
NeckTite vs. neck lift
The traditional solution to aging in the neck area is neck lift surgery. When undergoing a neck lift procedure, you will be placed under general anesthesia, which comes with the risk of common side effects, including sleepiness, dry mouth, sore throat, confusion, and muscle aches (via WebMD). While adverse reactions to general anesthesia are rare, they do occur and should be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to proceed with elective surgery.
Once you're asleep, your surgeon will perform a surgical neck lift by making incisions behind your ears and under your chin. Then, the surgeon "lifts the muscles of the neck and removes extra skin and fat," tightening your neck muscles, as described by Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Your incisions will be closed with sutures, and you will spend the next six weeks recovering from the surgery. In comparison, a NeckTite procedure does not require general anesthesia or sutures, and the recovery time is only a few days. Since the NeckTite procedure is also minimally invasive, the pain is minimal compared to an invasive surgery involving general anesthesia.
How to know if you're a good candidate for NeckTite
NeckTite procedures are recommended for people with lines, wrinkles, and excessive fatty tissue in the neck area. If you've just begun noticing aging on the skin of your neck, you may be able to see results with procedures that are even less invasive than NeckTite, such as Botox injections, microneedling, or laser treatments, per Healthline.
If your neck is showing advanced signs of aging, like severe sagging or deep wrinkles, a surgical lift may be required to achieve the results you're looking for. However, as described by Gawley Plastic Surgery, NeckTite is an excellent option for those "who aren't ready for a surgical facelift or neck lift."
The only way to know whether you're a good candidate for a NeckTite procedure is to consult a professional. While some surgeons offer free consultations, many may charge upwards of $250 for a consultation fee and will "apply that fee toward your procedure," according to the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery. If you're quite sure that you're going to follow through with getting a procedure done and you're just not sure which one is most appropriate for you, consider your consultation fee as a down payment.
What to expect during NeckTite recovery
Since a NeckTite procedure involves very small incisions, there are typically no sutures required. Instead, a Steri-Strip, as the Harley Street Skin Clinic explains, will most likely be applied to the incision. By the time the strip falls off, the wound should be healed. For at least three to five days after your procedure, you will be "required to wear compression garments." This garment will help to reduce any swelling and support the skin after the procedure.
If you feel well enough, you may return to "light activities" the day after your NeckTite procedure. If you are experiencing soreness, swelling, or discomfort, you might choose to rest for a few days. You can expect to return to all your normal activities within a week of your procedure and resume any especially intense activities or workouts within two weeks.
"Compared to traditional surgical neck lifts, NeckTite typically involves minimal downtime," Dr. Henry tells PopSugar. "Most individuals can resume their regular activities within a few days after the procedure."
What kind of results to expect from NeckTite
NeckTite procedures are sometimes referred to as non-surgical neck lifts. However, this term can cause consumers to expect the same exact results from a NeckTite procedure that they would receive from a surgical neck lift — without the surgery. This can be misleading. A NeckTite procedure may produce dramatic results through skin tightening and fat deposit removal. However, if the condition of your neck is severe, NeckTite may not be able to provide results significant enough to compare to surgery.
You can expect to start seeing the full results of your NeckTite treatment within three to six months. There is currently no permanent solution for neck wrinkling and sagging. Even a surgical neck lift will only buy you 10 to 15 years of results. A NeckTite procedure will provide very significant results for about five years for most people without the cost, downtime, pain, or risks involved in undergoing surgery under general anesthesia.
Potential side effects of NeckTite
After you undergo your NeckTite procedure, you may experience swelling, tenderness, and bruising. For a small number of patients, these symptoms may worsen over time rather than subsiding, indicating an infection of the incision site. While this condition is "very rare because of the very small incision size," according to FosterMD Facial Plastic Surgery, it is possible. Due to the solution that is injected along with a numbing agent during the procedure, excess bleeding is a low risk associated with Necktite.
Since NeckTite uses "heat to stimulate tightening, there is a small risk of burns" (per Advanced Concepts in Plastic Surgery). However, the procedure involves "thermometers that will automatically turn off the energy if the temperature gets too high," so this risk is very minimal. You may also experience temporary numbness in your neck during your recovery. Overall, rest assured, the procedure is considered extremely safe with very little risk for those in good health.