Neck and décolletage rejuvenation – a summary
| What it treats | Platysmal bands, horizontal neck lines, fine lines, sagging skin, vertical décolletage wrinkles, age spots and redness |
|---|---|
| Types of treatment | Hyaluronic acid fillers, skin boosters, polynucleotides, collagen stimulators, lasers, radiofrequency, focused ultrasound and chemical peels |
| Areas | Neck, décolletage or both areas together, combined with facial treatment if needed |
| Laser season | CO2 and Erbium lasers are used from October to the end of March |
| Treatment plan | It is determined during the consultation, according to the problem and the condition of the skin. |
Why the neck and décolletage show age
The skin on the neck is thinner than facial skin and has fewer sebaceous glands, so it loses moisture and elasticity more quickly. The décolletage has been exposed to the sun for years, often without the protection we apply to the face, which is why blemishes, redness and a coarser texture appear there first.
The appearance of the neck is also affected by everyday movements. When we frequently look down, for example at a phone, the skin creases in the same places and horizontal lines form over time. The muscle that extends across the front of the neck becomes more prominent, resulting in vertical bands appearing from the chin to the collarbones. On the décolletage, for those who sleep on their side, vertical lines become etched between the breasts over time.
Neck and décolletage rejuvenation therefore starts with assessing what predominates: loss of skin quality, loss of firmness, wrinkles or changes in skin colour. The choice of treatment depends on this.
Problems and treatments
Platysmal bands
Platysmal bands are two or more vertical lines that extend from the chin to the collarbones. They are best seen when the neck is tensed or when we speak, and over time they remain visible even at rest. They occur because the muscle on the front of the neck becomes more pronounced and pulls the skin.
Platysmal bands are treated with Botox, which relaxes the muscle so the bands become softer and less noticeable. This refers to the neck.
Horizontal neck lines
Horizontal neck lines are grooves that run across the neck, most commonly two or three. In younger people, they often occur due to frequently looking downwards, and with age, they deepen and remain visible even when the head is held up.
These lines are filled with hyaluronic acid fillers. The product is injected in small amounts directly into the line, so the groove is lifted and the skin becomes smoother. This applies to the neck.
Thin skin with fine wrinkles
When the skin of the neck and décolletage loses moisture and density, it becomes thin, dull and covered with a dense network of fine wrinkles. This change is common in both areas and is usually noticed first on the décolletage.
For thin skin, the first choice is skin boosters (Jalupro Super Hydro and HMW, Juvederm Volite), which restore moisture and elasticity to the skin, as well as Profhilo and Profhilo Structura. Polynucleotides stimulate regeneration and improve skin quality. They are also combined with mesotherapy and PRP treatment. For fine lines, we also use fractional CO2 laser, which is performed from October to the end of March. Treatment area: neck and décolletage.
Sagging skin on the neck and décolletage
With the loss of collagen, the skin on the neck and décolletage becomes lax, wrinkles and sags, and the contours of the neck and jawline become less defined. In this case, the aim is to firm the skin and stimulate the production of new collagen.
For this, we use collagen stimulators, such as Juvelook and Lenisna, as well as the Neck lift treatment, in which a collagen stimulator is combined with hyaluronic acid. As for devices, we use Morpheus8 and Attiva radiofrequency, and for the neck also Ultraformer III, which works on the deeper layers. Treatment area: neck and décolletage, except Ultraformer III, which is performed on the neck only.
When there is both loose skin and excess fat deposits under the chin, the treatment plan is extended to that area as well. Read more on our page about double chin removal.
Vertical décolletage wrinkles
Vertical décolletage wrinkles are vertical lines between the breasts, which most frequently occur in side sleepers. Initially, they are only visible in the morning, but over time they persist throughout the day.
Skin boosters, polynucleotides and collagen stimulators, which improve skin quality and density, as well as the fractional CO2 laser, are used for these wrinkles. This refers to the décolletage.
Spots and sun damage
Years of sun exposure leave the neck and décolletage with brown spots, uneven skin tone and a rougher skin texture. These changes are most clearly visible on the décolletage, where the skin is rarely protected from the sun.
Sun spots and sun damage are treated with ClearLift laser, chemical peels, Erbium laser and CO2 laser. Erbium and CO2 lasers are performed from October to the end of March and are not performed on tanned skin. Read more about the types of pigmentation on our page about hyperpigmentation and melasma. Treatment area: neck and décolletage.
Redness and dilated capillaries
Persistent redness, often in a net-like pattern, as well as visible thread veins, can appear on the neck and décolletage. These changes are also most commonly the result of long-term sun exposure.
For redness and capillaries, we use Yellow laser and DYE VL. Read more on our page about thread vein removal. Treatment area: neck and décolletage.
Skin freshness and maintenance of results
Non-ablative lasers work without damaging the skin surface, so there is no recovery time after them. This group includes NIR skin tightening, ClearLift and ClearSkin laser.
These treatments are designed for skin freshness, care, and the maintenance of results achieved with other treatments. For more pronounced changes, such as deeper wrinkles or sagging skin, the treatments described above are chosen. Treatment area: neck and décolletage.
How neck and décolletage rejuvenation is planned
Before neck rejuvenation is planned, the consultation assesses which problem predominates and in which area. In one person, horizontal lines on the neck are in the foreground, while in another it is thin skin and sun spots on the décolletage. Most often, multiple changes are present at once, so treatments are combined: one acts on skin firmness, another on its quality, and a third on wrinkles or skin colour.
Rejuvenation of the neck and décolletage can be done separately or at the same time as the face, so that the result is even across all areas. When planning laser treatments, the season is also taken into account: CO2 and Erbium lasers are performed from October to the end of March.
Neck and décolletage rejuvenation price
The price depends on the chosen treatments and the areas being treated. The prices of injectable treatments can be found in our aesthetic treatments price list, and the prices of laser and radiofrequency treatments in the laser treatments price list.
Have a question?
Frequently asked questions about neck and décolletage rejuvenation
What is the best treatment for neck wrinkles?
It depends on the type of wrinkle. Horizontal lines across the neck are filled with hyaluronic acid fillers, vertical bands are softened with Botox, and fine lines on thin skin are treated with skin boosters, polynucleotides or a CO2 laser. Which treatment suits your skin is assessed during a consultation.
Can the treatments be combined?
Yes, and the combination often gives a more complete result. An example is Ultraformer III with collagen stimulators: Ultraformer works on deeper layers and tightens the neck skin, while collagen stimulators improve skin density and quality. The order and interval between treatments are determined by a physician.
When will the results be visible?
With hyaluronic acid fillers, the effect is visible immediately after the treatment. Skin boosters and polynucleotides provide gradual improvement through a series of treatments, while collagen stimulators, Ultraformer III and Morpheus8 work by generating new collagen, so the result develops over the following weeks and months. After lasers, the skin first recovers and then becomes smoother and more even.
How many treatments are needed?
The number of treatments depends on the issue and the chosen treatment. Fillers are usually done in a single session, while skin boosters, polynucleotides and lasers most often require a series. The exact plan and intervals between treatments are agreed upon during the consultation.
Can the neck and décolletage be done in the same session as the face?
Yes. Most treatments are performed on the face, neck and décolletage in the same appointment, which gives a uniform appearance across all areas. For certain treatments, such as Jalupro HMW, Juvelook, mesotherapy and PRP, there are also combinations of face, neck and décolletage in the price list.
The hands can also be treated in the same session, as they often reveal age just like the neck. Treatments for this area are described on our page about hand rejuvenation.
Can the treatments be done in summer?
Injectable treatments are carried out all year round. CO2 and Erbium lasers are performed from October to the end of March, and laser treatments are not carried out on sun-tanned skin. After all treatments, daily sun protection is recommended on the neck and décolletage.
Are the treatments painful?
Most treatments cause mild discomfort, which is well tolerated. Whether an anaesthetic cream is used before the treatment depends on the treatment.
How can I slow down the formation of new wrinkles on the neck and décolletage?
Daily sun protection on the neck and décolletage, the same as for the face, helps the most with blemishes, redness and loss of skin quality. Apply the cream you use for your face to your neck and décolletage as well. For horizontal lines, it helps to hold your phone at eye level, and for vertical décolletage wrinkles, sleeping on your back.
Book a neck and décolletage rejuvenation in Belgrade
Imedic poliklinika is located at Kneza Miloša 23, 2nd floor, Belgrade. Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 9:00–21:00.
Appointments can be booked by phone: 064 237 0707. If you contact us from abroad, we are also available via Viber and WhatsApp on the same number.
Author: Dr Miloš Živković
Registrar in aesthetic, plastic and reconstructive surgery.
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