Neck Contouring
Neck, Chin, & Chest Rejuvenation and Contouring in Washington, D.C.
Signs of aging such as finely wrinkled (“crepey”) skin, uneven skin tone, sagging skin, etc., appear earlier on parts of the body that have been more frequently exposed to the sun over the years. This is especially true for the neck and chest because most people tend to neglect sunscreen application in these areas. Visible aging changes of the skin can be concerning and will naturally progress over time due to both intrinsic (loss of collagen and elastin) and extrinsic (environmental exposure) factors.
Fortunately, there are now minimally invasive and non- invasive treatments that can reverse many changes associated with aging. Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Tina West offers a variety of advanced, non-surgical treatment options that help patients look younger naturally and subtly. Are you ready to partner with a leading dermatologist?
Learn more about neck and chest rejuvenation in the Washington D.C., Bethesda, MD, and Potomac, MD, areas by calling 301-986-9378 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation today.
Fraxel Dual is a fractional resurfacing technology that uses laser energy to stimulate new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, which makes the skin tighter, plumper, and more elastic. During this process, new skin effectively replaces damaged, discolored skin cells. Fraxel Dual uses two different wavelengths of light to target fine wrinkles, acne scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, and brown spots caused by aging and sun exposure. Fraxel Dual is FDA-approved to reverse sun damage and precancers (actinic keratoses).
How Is Fraxel Used/How Does It Work?
The Fraxel Dual laser features two lasers with different wavelengths. One of the lasers targets pigmentation and sun damage, while the other laser goes deeper to target neck wrinkles and texture. The energy from the lasers creates thousands of tiny, deep columns in the skin, which stimulate the growth of new, healthy skin cells to replace older, damaged cells.
Is Fraxel Right for Me?
The Fraxel Dual laser can be used effectively on most skin types; however, patients must be willing to stay out of the sun pre-and-post treatment. Dr. West will meet with you to identify if this treatment is best to meet your needs and goals.
How Long Do Fraxel Results Last?
The results of Fraxel Dual are both immediate and progressive. Two to three weeks after the treatment, the surface of your skin will be smoother and more even toned. Improvement continues over the next 3-6 months as the skin’s deeper layers continue to generate new collagen. Much of the damage due to a lifetime of sun exposure can be reversed using this advanced laser technology with minimal downtime, and results can be maintained over the years with regular sunscreen application.
For younger patients who may not require Fraxel laser treatment, the Clear + Brilliant laser offers a milder treatment that can be used to prevent some of the changes that we associate with aging. This gentle laser can also be used to maintain results following Fraxel laser treatment. Clear + Brilliant laser treatment can also be combined with IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) in the same treatment session to target both texture and pigmentation for a result that is similar to Fraxel treatment results but without the one week recovery time.
How Is Clear + Brilliant Used/How Does It Work?
Clear + Brilliant is a gentle laser that refreshes your skin from the inside out. The laser energy creates millions of microscopic treatment zones in the skin’s upper layers and replaces damaged skin with healthy, younger-looking tissue.
Is Clear + Brilliant Right for Me?
Clear + Brilliant is a beneficial treatment for women and men of all ages and skin types who want to be proactive in their skincare, address the early signs of aging, and/or maintain their skin’s look.
How Long Do Clear + Brilliant Results Last?
The results of treatment are both immediate and progressive. Immediately following Clear + Brilliant laser resurfacing of the neck and chest, the skin will be pink for 1-3 days. A few days after the treatment, the skin will start to feel softer and show improved tone, texture, and radiance. Results can last for months and are complemented by regular application of an active cosmeceutical grade skincare regimen, which will be customized for you by Dr. West or by our experienced Physician Assistant, Amy Waters, P.A.. For optimal long-term results, 4 Clear + Brilliant treatments annually are recommended for most patients.
Genius radiofrequency microneedling is a no-downtime radiofrequency treatment that improves fine lines and tightens skin. This novel device treats fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin on the face and neck, and can also be used for skin tightening on other areas of the body. Genius is also one of the only devices available for the treatment of mature stretch marks, and is also considered a gold-standard device for the treatment of acne scars. Genius RF microneedling represents a considerable advance in technology for anyone with a more pigmented skin type because, unlike laser treatments, there is no risk of pigment change. Similarly, treatments can be performed all year long with no restriction based on sun exposure
How Is Genius RF Microneedling Used/How Does It Work?
Genius RF Microneedling combines fractional radiofrequency (RF) technology with microneedling to precisely deliver energy to the dermis through gold-plated microneedles using a stamping technique. The dermis is the collagen and elastin-containing layer of the skin beneath the surface that is responsible for the skin’s elasticity. By delivering radiofrequency energy to the dermis, Genius RF microneedling stimulates collagen growth and tissue tightening precisely at the proper depths in the skin. The precision offered through this technology not only tightens skin, but also provides improvement in wrinkles, scars, and skin elasticity.
Is Genius RF Microneedling Right for Me?
If you are noticing fine wrinkling and/or skin laxity on your neck, chest or any other area, you may be a good candidate for Genius treatment. Genius uses unique and innovative technology to protect the top layer of the skin, which allows for treatment on all skin types, even tanned skin.
How Long Do Genius RF Microneedling Results Last?
Patients can expect to see changes in their neck and chest skin 1-3 months after they have completed a series of treatments, with further improvement occurring over time. Because your body will continue to rebuild collagen for several months following the procedure, you will continue to see improvement over the following six to twelve months.
Dr. Tina West is a board-certified dermatologist and leading expert in cosmetic dermatology, laser surgery, and body contouring procedures. For over 20 years, Dr. West has dedicated her practice to providing natural-looking results and full patient satisfaction. Dr. West invites you to visit The West Institute for a friendly and informative consultation.
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Ultherapy is the most effective non-surgical alternative to a facelift. It’s the only non-invasive procedure FDA-cleared to lift the skin on the neck, chin, and brow, and improve lines and wrinkles on the décolletage. The treatment uses ultrasound to stimulate the production of new collagen and elastin deep within the skin, targeting the deep layers (up to 4.5 mm) under the skin that are addressed with a surgical facelift procedure.
How Is Ultherapy Used/How Does It Work?
As we age, the collagen in our skin weakens, and the elastin starts to break down, which causes the skin to become more relaxed and droopy. Unlike lasers, which penetrate the skin from the outside-in, Ultherapy works from the inside-out to lift and tighten skin non-invasively. Using gentle ultrasound energy, Ultherapy targets tissue beneath the skin and reaches the right temperature to stimulate the growth of fresh, new collagen and elastin, resulting in a more chiseled, contoured jawline as well as a smoother décolleté.
Is Ultherapy Right For Me?
Ultherapy is safe and gentle, and with zero downtime, it’s an excellent procedure for patients looking for a faster, more straightforward approach to neck skin tightening and contouring.
How Long Do Ultherapy Results Last?
Most patients can expect their results to last anywhere from two to three years, and with maintenance sessions every few years, results can last even longer.
Neuromodulators, like Botox®, Dysport®, Jeuveau®, and Xeomin®, are popular injectable treatments designed to soften lines and wrinkles formed by repeated muscle movements. In the neck, they can relax the platysma muscle so that vertical neck bands become less pronounced and noticeable. Dr. West can naturally and beautifully restore what aging has altered while still retaining your natural expressions. The result is simply a rested and younger-looking version of you—not “frozen” or “overdone.” Dr. West participated in the initial phase III FDA clinical trials for the approval of Botox® Cosmetic in the U.S. and has been a leading Botox® expert in the Washington, D.C. area ever since.
How are Neuromodulators Used/How Do They Work on the Neck?
A pair of vertical neck bands reside at the front and sides of the neck. Over time, these bands become more prominent due to skin sagging and loss of muscle tone, which causes the neck to lose its youthful shape. Our experts precisely administer small amounts of product just beneath the jawline and on the neck to relax the platysma muscle, thereby improving jawline/neck definition and the appearance of vertical neck bands.
Are Neuromodulators Right for Me?
Prior to your neuromodulator injections, Dr. West will meet with you to discuss your treatment goals. She will analyze the condition of your skin, muscle movements, and neck banding to determine the appropriate injection sites. If she decides that neuromodulators are not your best option, Dr. West will recommend other treatments that will better address your concerns.
How Long Do Neuromodulator Results Last?
Each of the current neuromodulators approved in the U.S. lasts between 3-4 months and up to 6 months with consistent use. Results typically begin to show within the first week. However, this will vary depending on the injection site and type of neuromodulator. Neuromodulator treatments generally require minimal downtime and recovery, which is why they are often referred to as a “lunchtime” procedure. You can go about your routine immediately after leaving the office and be scheduled for a 10–14-day follow-up appointment to evaluate your results.
Say goodbye to your double chin with Kybella, a powerful non-surgical treatment that permanently eliminates unwanted fat. Kybella is the very first non-surgical injectable treatment that decreases excess fat in the chin, jawline, and neck. Following the FDA’s approval of Kybella, Dr. West was selected by the manufacturing company as a National Trainer and has instructed many other physicians in the techniques for using the product.
How Is Kybella Used/How Does It Work?
Kybella is an injectable formulation of deoxycholic acid, a molecule naturally found in the body that assists with the breakdown and absorption of fat. When injected into sections of fat beneath the chin, Kybella can achieve a noticeable decrease in submental fullness. Some patients also experience skin tightening, which often creates a more contoured chin and jawline.
Is Kybella Right for Me?
Double chins do not always disappear easily, even for individuals with the most rigorous diet or exercise routines. This is because submental fullness is often caused by hard-to-change factors such as aging and genetics. Kybella can be an excellent solution for patients who want to treat such issues non-surgically. For some patients, Dr. West may suggest CoolSculpting first and add Kybella as a complement for improved results. You can see if Kybella is right for you by meeting with Dr. West for an in-depth consultation.
How Long Do Kybella Results Last?
The results gained with Kybella are considered permanent as long as patients maintain a healthy and stable weight after their procedure. Dr. West recommends that most patients have 2-4 treatments in each targeted area to achieve the best results. Since everyone’s chin profile is different, the exact number of treatments varies from patient to patient. Most patients see their final results approximately 8 weeks after their last treatment session.
CoolSculpting’s fat-freezing technology gives long-term results that can make trouble spots a lot less troubling. CoolSculpting® is the only FDA-cleared, non-surgical, non-invasive fat-reducing treatment that uses controlled cooling to eliminate stubborn fat. The technology utilizes temperatures that are too low for fat to survive yet are still perfectly tolerable by other tissue, such as muscle and skin. CoolSculpting’s versatility allows it to be used on many regions, including the submental (under the chin) area, the submandibular (under the jawline) area, and more.
How Is CoolSculpting Used/How Does It Work?
Fat cells are more sensitive to cold than any other cells. CoolSculpting ‘s intricately designed applicators target fat cells beneath the chin and on the jawline, reaching the perfect temperature to freeze them without causing damage to other surrounding tissues. The frozen fat cells die and are then naturally eliminated by your body over the course of several weeks.
CoolSculpting requires treated areas to be massaged after the applicator is removed. At the West Institute, rather than massaging the area manually, we use a device called Z-wave that mechanically sends shockwaves through the area to break up the treated fat cells. This addition to the CoolSculpting treatment protocol has been shown in studies to improve results. And, voila – you’re done! Patients typically resume normal activities the same day, and no compression garments need to be worn.
Is CoolSculpting Right for Me?
Gravity, lifestyle choices, genetic predisposition, or other factors can each lead to stubborn fat beneath the chin that persists even with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise. CoolSculpting has become a popular choice for patients with these issues because it is an alternative to surgery that is convenient and requires little- to- no downtime. CoolSculpting is not a weight-loss procedure, but it is FDA-cleared to treat visible fat bulges in many areas. Each patient interested in CoolSculpting receives a complete, personalized, physician-led consultation to determine if it is the best way to treat their concerns. We encourage you to schedule a consultation with us if you think CoolSculpting is right for you.
How Long Do Results Last?
Patients usually see noticeable and natural-looking results within 3 weeks after their treatment, with the final results appearing between 3-6 months. Patients who maintain good dietary and exercise habits generally enjoy long term results. However, fat cells can still expand with weight gain. Dr. West may suggest Kybella treatments after CoolSculpting® for some patients who want to enhance their results.
Ready to Enjoy Your Neck and Chin Rejuvenation Results?
If you decide that one of these treatment options is right for you, the next step is to schedule a consultation with renowned dermatologist Dr. Tina West. Dr. West is one of the pioneers of non-surgical treatments, such as dermal fillers, and has trained extensively over the past 20 years to become an expert in face, neck, chest, and body contouring procedures. Countless patients in Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Chevy Chase, MD, Bethesda MD, Potomac MD, and all along the east coast have achieved incredible results with Dr. West’s help. Are you next?
To get started, please reach out to our Chevy Chase, MD, dermatology practice by calling 301-986-9378 or contacting the West Institute online today. We look forward to seeing you soon!