Kybella is a non-surgical injectable treatment that is specifically aimed at reducing the appearance of fat beneath the chin. This prescription treatment uses deoxycholic acid, a naturally produced compound that facilitates the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. Typically, patients receive 2 to 6 treatments. While following post-treatment protocols is important to preserve results, there is minimal downtime.
While Kybella is less invasive than neck lift surgery and requires much less recovery time, it is not as comprehensive in reducing neck banding or contouring the jawline. The results are potentially permanent, as destroyed fat cells do not regenerate, but fat can still return to the area (due to diet, lifestyle, and other factors) as surrounding cells expand.
Finally, Kybella costs less than neck lift surgery, but by how much depends on the number of sessions desired, facility fees, and other factors. For neck lift patients looking to hone in on submental fat without liposuction, Kybella may be an appropriate complementary treatment.
Ultherapy is sometimes referred to as “the ultrasound facelift” for its ability to mirror the effects of this popular surgery, including tightening and lifting of the facial skin. This treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to create controlled perturbations in the skin. These carefully pinpointed “microthermal coagulation zones” prompt the skin to contract collagen fibers, creating a more vibrant, youthful appearance.
Ultherapy is particularly effective for treating jowls, thereby enhancing the jawline’s contour. It is also more affordable than neck lift surgery in most cases, and requires virtually no downtime. However, as a non-surgical treatment, Ultherapy is less effective than neck lift surgery for moderate to severe cases of skin laxity, banding, and fat accumulation.
Another drawback to consider is that Ultherapy results may last up to 2 years with proper maintenance, whereas neck lifts can provide results for a decade or more. Like Kybella, Ultherapy can complement the results of a surgical neck lift as part of a comprehensive anti-aging treatment plan.
A thread lift procedure uses dissolvable sutures to gently pull the skin back and lift it. To summarize, a fine suture is inserted into the skin with a small needle, then grabs the skin and pulls it back. This stimulates collagen production, which over time enhances the skin’s texture and appearance.
Like neck lift surgery, thread lift procedures can reduce the appearance of jowls and enhance the jawline and neck contour. Thread lifts require less downtime and are typically less costly than a neck lift surgery. However, thread lifts do not produce as dramatic a result as neck lift surgery, and results typically last up to 18 months.
As such, neck lift surgery is a better choice for moderate or advanced skin laxity, jowling, and similar issues affecting the neck and jaw area. In many cases, patients opt for a thread lift at an earlier age, giving them a preview of the results neck surgery may provide. As signs of aging return and progress, a neck lift can be performed to keep them at bay for longer.
