The aged neck
The aged neck
Multiple intrinsic and extrinsic factors including genetics, photodamage, and gravity contribute to aging in the neck. A decrease in collagen and elasticity throughout the face and neck leads to loss of subcutaneous support, and result in sagging and ptotic submandibular glands. Skin becomes lax and fat accumulates in the submental region, softening the mandibular contour and creating jowls.2 Regular twisting and swivelling motions and contraction of the platysma muscle result in prominent banding and horizontal rhytides, while chronic exposure to UV radiation wreaks havoc on skin texture and pigmentation and accelerates the course of natural aging.3 Platysmal bands— longitudinal cords in the neck midline—appear. There is most likely a dual etiology for this phenomenon—genetics and anterior platysmal hypertrophy. It is estimated that 39% of the population has undecussated (separated) midline platysmal muscle fibers. These are hidden in youth, but as fat diminishes with age, they become more apparent. Relaxation of surrounding tissue also contributes to this separation. Decades of vigorous muscle contraction result in hypertrophy in some individuals. Clinically, this
contributes to the “turkey gobbler” neck.