Loose Neck Skin: What Causes It and Your Non-Surgical Options

You may first notice it in a photo taken from a low angle, or on a video call when you catch sight of your own screen. The skin beneath your jaw looks a little looser than it used to, fine creases catch the light, or vertical bands seem more visible when you speak. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone: the neck is often one of the first places these changes show up.

Loose neck skin usually reflects a mix of changes in the skin, fat distribution, and neck muscles. Daily SPF and moisturizing skincare can help with dryness and fine creasing, while Sofwave™, an FDA-cleared, non-invasive ultrasound treatment, can lift lax neck and submental (under-the-chin) tissue. Significant excess skin or prominent muscle bands may call for a surgical consultation.

Your neck can be one of the first places you notice signs of aging. Its thinner skin is affected by changes in collagen and elastin over time, while years of sun exposure can add to these changes, especially when sunscreen stops at the jawline. 

Changes beneath the skin can affect the shape of your neck and jawline too. Fat distribution and support from the chin and jaw influence the contour, while the platysma (the broad, thin muscle across the front of your neck) can become more visible as vertical bands.

If you noticed loose neck skin after substantial weight loss, read more about what happens to neck and submental skin after weight loss.

“Crepey” describes thin-looking skin with many shallow, papery creases. When comparing crepey neck treatment options, it helps to distinguish fine creasing from tissue laxity, fat-related fullness, and visible muscle bands.

Age-related changes, sun damage, and dryness can make fine creases more noticeable. Laxity refers to tissue that hangs or folds as support changes. 

Read more about what causes crepey skin and how its appearance may be improved. 

These terms describe different changes around your neck and jawline, although they can occur together:

If your concern is a “turkey neck” or double chin, the cause matters when considering Sofwave™. Sofwave™ is FDA-cleared to lift lax submental and neck tissue, but it does not reduce fat. Prominent muscle bands are a separate concern and require assessment.

Jowls are not specifically named in Sofwave™’s cleared lifting indications. A provider can assess which areas are contributing to your concern. Read more about lower-face treatment options.

At-home care, in-office procedures, and surgery address different aspects of neck aging. The right approach depends on the main concern and how much change you hope to achieve. 

A simple routine can reduce dryness and fine creasing while limiting further sun damage. Skincare does not lift lax tissue, remove excess skin, or correct prominent muscle bands.

Ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments use heat to stimulate collagen production. Ultrasound delivers energy beneath the skin without needles, with treatment depth varying by device. Non-invasive RF uses a handpiece on the skin, while RF microneedling delivers heat through small needles at selected depths.

Fat-directed injections work differently: deoxycholic acid breaks down fat cells beneath the chin. These injections address fat-related fullness and do not remove excess skin.

The FDA has reported serious complications with certain uses of RF microneedling, including burns, scarring, fat loss, and nerve damage. Deoxycholic acid injections also carry risks, including nerve injury and difficulty swallowing. A provider can assess which approach may be appropriate for your neck.

Sofwave™ is a non-invasive, completely needle-free ultrasound treatment. Its SUPERB™ technology delivers synchronous parallel ultrasound beams to an average depth of about 1.5 mm in the mid-dermis, where it stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin. In the United States, Sofwave™ is FDA-cleared for adults aged 22 and older to lift lax submental and neck tissue. It is not cleared to reduce submental fat.

A full face and neck treatment typically takes 30-45 minutes, and most patient discomfort can be managed with a topical anesthetic. There are no limitations on skin type, and most patients can resume their daily activities quickly afterward. Treatment plans and individual results vary. You can see neck and submental before-and-after images and discuss realistic expectations with a qualified provider.

Significant neck laxity or excess skin may warrant a consultation with a plastic surgeon. A surgical neck lift can remove excess skin, address muscle banding, and reduce fat beneath the chin where appropriate. 

Initial downtime is typically around two weeks, although recovery varies and swelling may take longer to fully settle. Your surgeon can advise when to resume work and exercise. 

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ 2024 report gives a projected surgeon-fee range of $7,500–$13,000 for a neck lift, excluding anesthesia and facility fees.

The term non-surgical neck lift can refer to different in-office approaches, so it is useful to compare what each option addresses, the treatment plan, downtime, onset, and invasiveness.

Loose neck skin can reflect lax tissue, excess skin, fat-related fullness, visible muscle bands, or a combination of these changes. Treatment therefore depends on what is contributing most to the appearance of your neck. 

Sofwave™ is FDA-cleared to lift lax neck and submental tissue, but it does not reduce fat or remove excess skin. A qualified provider can assess your anatomy, treatment goals, and medical history and discuss which options may be appropriate.

Noticing changes in your neck is common, and you have more options than ever to address them without surgery. A qualified provider can assess what’s contributing most to your concern and whether Sofwave™ is right for you. Find a Sofwave™ provider near you.