Physician advises on the various treatments for neck rejuvenation

MIAMI — Neck rejuvenation and treatments for poikiloderma have a range of possible treatments, some of which vary in quality with older patients, according to a speaker here.

“When you treat the face, it’s important to realize that if you just treat the face, that the neck can be a big sign of aging in a patient that’s at a mature level,” Glynis R. Ablon, MD, said at South Beach Symposium 2017.

Glynis R. Ablon

The areas of the neck that can require treatment, according to Ablon, include poikiloderma, wrinkles, neck bands, skin laxity and excess submental fat deposits.

Topicals, such as hydroquinone and kojic acid, can be used to address the overall color of the neck.

“Sometimes that’s all the patient wants, especially if they do not have a mature neck, and they’re just noticing some of the sun damage,” Ablon said.

Chemicals should be used with caution, as the neck can be a more sensitive area. Ablon said that she will not use a trichloroacetic acid higher than 20% and that chemicals, in general, are not ideal for mature skin.

When it comes to neuromodulators, Ablon advises to not just treat the most obvious bands in the front, but to remember to treat the whole neck, the length of the platysma muscle, and consider the jawline.

Non-invasive lasers, such as intense pulse light, radiofrequency, infrared and microfocused ultrasound, can be used to treat poikiloderma, vessels, lentigines and actinic damage.

While most patients, according to Ablon, prefer noninvasive procedures, there are invasive methods that can be used, such as carbon dioxide, erbium, injectable radiofrequency and liposuction.

Ablon stressed the importance of clarifying the difference between perceived complications, such as scabbing, crusting, elongated erythema and bruising, and true complications, such as thermal burn, pigmentary alteration and infection, during patient consults.

“The reality is that I do think whenever you’re addressing pretty much anything on the body, combination is best, so I think that you want to address all of the issues that the patients have when you’re dealing with the neck and go over what the treatment plan is and be gentle about it, but explain to them that there are a lot of treatments available,” Ablon said. – by Talitha Bennett

References: Ablon GR. Neck: Wrinkling and Poikiloderma. Presented at: South Beach Symposium 2017; Feb. 9-12; Miami Beach, Florida.

Disclosure: Healio.com was unable to determine whether Dr. Ablon has a direct financial interest in the products discussed in this article or if he is a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.