How to Prolong the Results of Your Neck Lift
A neck lift can reverse the signs of aging on the neck and along the jaw line. The surgical procedure, which removes excess skin and tightens the underlying muscles, can be performed on its own or in conjunction with a facelift.
At Dr. William Cohen’s practice, serving Orange, CA, and Placentia, CA, patients experience excellent results after neck lift surgery. Once you have recovered, you will want to take steps to prolong the results of your neck lift. Here, we provide useful tips and advice on how to maintain your more youthful-looking neckline.
Aftercare Tips
It may take several weeks or a few months before you can enjoy the full cosmetic benefits of your neck lift. Patients should follow their recovery guidelines closely to avoid delayed or less than ideal results.
A neck lift leaves patients with a younger-looking neckline, but the procedure does not stop the aging process. Signs of aging result from genetics, the environment, and our habits. While genetic factors may be out of our hands, steps can be taken to protect your skin from the harmful effects listed below.
Avoid Excessive Sunlight
We love our sunny days in Orange County. Light to moderate levels of sun exposure can have health benefits. Sunlight provides the energy that’s needed for the body to synthesize vitamin D, for example.
When skin is exposed to significant amounts of sunlight without the protection of a quality sunblock or adequate protective garments, ultraviolet radiation can damage the structure of your skin.
In some cases, excessive sunlight can lead to skin cancer and other abnormal growths. Excessive sun exposure reduces skin elasticity, which can cause once-firm skin to droop. This directly reverses some of the cosmetic benefits of a neck lift.
To protect your neck and other areas of your body from the damaging effects of sun exposure, our patients should take care to:
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and adequate clothing when outside
- Avoid sun exposure when it is strongest (between 10am and 4pm)
- Use SPF 30 or higher sunscreen
- Seek shade when outside
- Avoid using a tanning bed
Eat Well and Exercise
Staying healthy and eating vegetables and fruits is good for your skin. A healthy diet can ensure that fat deposits do not affect your cosmetic results. A balanced diet is a great place to start. Vitamin A is an important nutrient that supports skin health. Good sources of vitamin A include:
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Eggs
- Fortified milk
- Orange or yellow fruits and vegetables
- Dark green, leafy vegetables
Don’t Smoke
Tobacco use damages the skin and leaves it appearing wrinkled. Cigarettes are bad for your skin for two primary reasons. One, nicotine restricts blood flow to your skin, depriving the outermost layers of skin of nutrients and oxygen. Two, the chemicals in tobacco products damage elastin and collagen. This can all lead to skin sagging and wrinkles.
Rejuvenate Your Neckline
Undergoing a neck lift is one way to turn back the clock and look several years younger. Dr. Cohen often recommends a neck lift as an alternative to a facelift. The procedure can be performed relatively quickly. To schedule your neck lift, please contact our office online or call (714) 628-1313.