Submitted by Diamond Medical Spa and Vein
The dreaded “Double Chin,” “Turkey Neck,” or “My Mother’s Neck” is one of the top embarrassing areas of the face. Many women wear turtleneck blouses to cover up while men just seem to let it all hang out. More and more public demand is for less invasive cosmetic procedures with good reason. The economy is “soft” so people need to take as little time off work for cosmetic procedures as possible. Gone are the days of a 6–10 week recovery for cosmetic surgery, not even to mention the pain, higher costs, and risks of surgical complications. To be sure, major cosmetic surgery still has a place, but it’s role is diminishing all the time as people are looking for less invasive therapies. Here are a few to consider.
Approved in April, 2015 KYBELLA is the only FDA approved injectable for the treatment of the “double chin” (submental fat). This product is a naturally occurring deoxycholic acid, a secondary bile acid produced from bacteria that kills chin fat. It is very similar to mesotherapy but is only approved to treat submental fat and not recommended for use elsewhere. Serious side effects may include trouble swallowing and nerve injury in the jaw that can cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness. The most common side effects of KYBELLA include swelling, bruising, pain, numbness, redness, and areas of hardness in the treatment area. Costs vary between $1,500–1,700 for a treatment.
The CoolSculpting procedure is the only FDA-cleared, non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The method uses a vacuum suction to pull the skin and fat into a refrigeration unit which varies in size. The cryolipolysis theory behind Coolsculpting is that by cooling the fat to near freezing temperatures, small ice crystals form within fat cells which damages or kills them. Dead cells are absorbed and eliminated. Complaints my staff had with this procedure is that post procedure pain lasts for weeks. Coolsculpting may reduce a small bulk of chin fat but does not lend itself to fine sculpting of the neck. Costs $1,500–2,000 for two treatments.
ThermiTight is a radiofrequency treatment that heats the fat to 70 degrees Celcius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) which melts it and stimulates collagen formation to shrink excess skin. An infrared camera is used simultaneously to ensure the external skin temperature does not exceed 45 degrees Celcius which could lead to skin burns. A small oral sedative is used along with a local anesthetic to provide comfort during the procedure. ThermiTight of the neck is sometimes coupled with a mini-liposuction of 10–20 ml of submental fat to give a “head start” on the recovery. Post-op discomfort is minimal and treated with medications such as Aleve or ibuprofen. Downtime is from 0–4 days of wearing a chin support to squeeze out the residual anesthetic fluid and to minimize post-op swelling. One time treatment cost is $3,000-$3,500.
Minimally invasive sutures such as Silhouette Lift gives a more immediate result and has the advantage of being adjustable if later additional tightening is desired. The procedure is performed using local anesthesia. Most people have a mild sedative and the procedure takes about an hour. One-time cost is about $2,500.
Loose, lax skin may require inexpensive fractional laser therapy or noninvasive radiofrequency. Typically, there is no downtime but several treatments may be required for satisfaction. Costs are variable because many times they are sold in packages.
The downside of minimally invasive procedures is that they do not necessarily give an immediate result. The improvement continues over several months to as long as 18 months for full benefit. This is due to the slow rate of collagen formation. So, if you like your neck one month after these procedures, you will love it in six months.
With a bit of time and commitment, you can have what you once thought was not possible at Diamond Medical Spa & Vein, 3170 E. 53rd Street in Davenport. Call 563-275-4701 today to schedule a consultation. To view the amazing before and after photos and testimonials from satisfied patients please visit www.diamondmedicalspaandvein.com.
Photo credit: dolgachov/iStock
Photo credit: hrandza/iStock