It’s All About the Face. But What About the Neck and Hands?

Treatments for Aging Hands and Neck: Radiesse, Sculptra and Neuromodulators. This is a true story, written by a team member at Godley Clinic.

There was a period of time in my mom’s life where people believed her husband was actually her son. Much to her horror. He was blessed with fountain-of-youth genes, and she was not. 

Fast forward, and in my 30s, I was still being asked if my parents were home. In my 40s, I get looks of disbelief when I tell people I have a teenage son. But now, in my mid 40s, that fountain-of-youth, while still chugging along at keeping my face looking relatively young, seems to have skipped my hands and neck. They tell the true story of my age.

We put so much attention into our faces, but the neck and hands age right alongside them. So, what can we actually do about them? I asked the team at Godley Clinic what treatment options are available for the neck and hands.

Neuromodulators for neck bands

Nefertiti neck lift using Botox.

The first thing I learned is that not everything I see on my neck is loose skin. Those vertical bands that appear when I tense my neck are caused by the platysma, a muscle that runs from the upper chest into the lower face. As it contracts, it can create neck bands and pull down along the jawline.

This is where a Nefertiti neck lift can help. Dr. Godley places neuromodulator injections into specific areas of the platysma and along the jawline. This relaxes some of the downward pull, softening the neck bands and creating a smoother transition between the neck and jawline.

Despite the name, it is not a surgical neck lift and does not remove loose skin.

The neck is also not an area where you want someone poking around. Some of its muscles are involved in swallowing, so Dr. Godley first looks at how everything moves before deciding where and how much to inject.

Radiesse for the neck

If the concern is thin, crepey skin rather than neck bands, Radiesse may be an option. It can be diluted and placed beneath the skin to encourage collagen production. For someone like me, who can see both skin changes and muscle bands, Radiesse and neuromodulators can be used together. One addresses the skin, while the other addresses the muscle underneath it.

What is Radiesse?
Radiesse is an injectable made with calcium hydroxylapatite. It adds volume right away while also encouraging the body to produce more collagen over time. It can also be diluted when the goal is to improve skin quality rather than add volume.

Sculptra for the neck

Sculptra neck treatment with mono thread lift.

Sculptra is another option for crepey skin and collagen loss in the neck. Like Radiesse, it encourages the body to produce collagen. The difference is that Sculptra is made with poly L lactic acid and works gradually over a series of treatments. 

Radiesse and Sculptra may sound similar, and I initially wondered why you would choose one over the other. The answer depends on your skin, the area being treated and how quickly you want to see a change. Dr. Godley can look at your neck and explain which one makes more sense for you.

Related article: Radiesse or Sculptra? Here’s how Dr. Godley helps you decide

What is Sculptra?
Sculptra is an injectable made with poly L lactic acid. It stimulates collagen production gradually, so the change develops over time rather than appearing immediately.

Radiesse for hands

If you are anything like me, your hands do not get as much skincare as your face. It feels like a waste anyway. The creams and sunscreen just go down the drain the next time you wash your hands. But skincare is only part of it. As we age, the skin on the backs of our hands becomes thinner and we lose some of the fat underneath it. This makes the veins, tendons and bones easier to see.

Dr. Godley uses Radiesse beneath the skin to replace some of that lost volume. It creates an immediate filling effect while also encouraging collagen production over time.

Book your consultation in Vancouver or Abbotsford B.C.

I may have inherited my dad’s youthful face, but my neck and hands are showing my age. Learning about these treatments has made me realize that rejuvenation does not have to stop at the jawline.

If you are noticing the same changes, Dr. Godley can assess your neck and hands and explain which options may be right for you. Book a consultation at Godley Clinic in Vancouver or Abbotsford.