Chook Necks & Family Wattles

Some things that run in families are quite nice – like blue eyes or a trim figure regardless of what you eat. Necks are a different matter however, and at our rooms we see a lot of both men and women who complain that they are starting to look like their grandma! 

When we look at a neck, there are really two types; the fatty ones, and the loose skinny ones. Really the only difference is that with skinny necks the laxity in the underlying muscles is more visible. 

When you treat a neck, there are three layers that need attending to; the skin, underlying fat and a large muscle layer called the platysma which runs from the collar bone to the underside of the jaw on both sides. As we age, the skin becomes lax due to gravity and the effect of UV light on the elastic collagen fibres. The fatty layer often thickens up to the age of 50, after which we tend to lose fat in the face and neck. Have you ever wondered why some very old people seem to have a big nose and ears? It isn’t that they have grown, but that they have lost fat from their face, making the cartilages seem larger. The muscle layer looses tone and also stretches when we age, and this is seen as cords in the front of the neck, particularly in the midline. 

From this, you can see that improving neck shape is not simply a matter of sucking out some fat and hoping that the shape will improve. Mr Brown needs to assess which layer is primarily contributing to your problem and treat appropriately – and that may sometimes mean simple liposuction. 

Many people over the age of 45 require a neck lift procedure where the skin is lifted from the jaw line and neck to allow tightening of the muscles. This is achieved by stitching the slack muscle to a fixed point behind the ear on both sides, rather like stringing up a hammock between two palm trees. There may be too much fat in the hammock, and some liposuction can help to reduce this contour, and this is often the case with “chook necks” that run in families. 

When tightening a neck it is very important that there is no tension on the skin, otherwise scars will stretch and the drooping will recur. Careful assessment is the key to ensure that the muscle is placed to a fixed point, and when this is performed correctly a neck contour should remain for 5-7 years. 

A neck should be tightened in harmony with the remainder of the face to ensure a natural look, that doesn’t appear to have undergone an operation, and sometimes that means accepting a contour that is not quite perfect, but age appropriate. 

Don’t feel embarrassed to ask any questions by contacting us privately, our friendly staff are here to advise.

Disclaimer