The Best Treatments To Lift & Firm The Neck
When it comes to chasing a more youthful look, our faces have traditionally received all the attention. Now, however, the focus is shifting south, with neck treatments firmly on the rise. In particular, people are looking to lift, sculpt, and rejuvenate the point where the jawline meets the neck — an area increasingly known as the ‘jeck’. It plays a major role in defining the profile, but is also particularly prone to sagging, excess fat, crepey texture, and uneven pigmentation.
There’s a reason the area can be tricky to treat. As we age, levels of collagen and elastin — the proteins responsible for keeping skin plump and springy — naturally decline. Bone loss around the jaw can also soften its definition, while the thinner, less resilient skin on the neck tends to show signs of ageing more readily than the face.
Genetics inevitably have a say in how the neck ages, but everyday habits can speed things along. Spending hours looking down at phones and laptops, for example, has given rise to the term ‘tech neck’, with that repeated downward position contributing to lines, wrinkles, and sagging over time.
“Thankfully, in the realm of aesthetics, there are treatments that can help define the neck area,” says Dr Jack, aesthetic doctor and founder of Dr David Jack skincare. The right approach depends on what’s driving the change, whether that’s crepey skin, muscle activity, excess fat, or more significant tissue laxity. Below, experts explain the available options and what each can realistically achieve.
Morpheus8
Dr Jack highlights Morpheus8 as an ideal treatment, as it combines microneedling with radiofrequency energy to deeply penetrate the skin and underlying tissue. “By precisely delivering thermal energy, Morpheus8 stimulates collagen production and tightens the skin, resulting in a smoother, more defined jawline and neck contour,” he explains. “Expect gradual improvements over several weeks, with optimal results appearing within a few months. Downtime is minimal, typically involving mild redness and swelling for a few days.”
Endolift
Dr Jack also recommends Endolift, a laser treatment designed to dramatically tighten and sculpt the neck and jawline. “This minimally invasive procedure utilizes a specialized laser fiber inserted beneath the skin to precisely heat and tighten the underlying tissues, offering a more surgical option for jawline enhancement,” he states. “It is a minimally invasive advanced skin tightening and fat reduction technique that targets multiple layers of the skin and can be used to contour areas of the face such as your jawline.” He finds Endolift particularly effective for refining the jawline and reducing excess fat in the neck area. “Results are noticeable soon after treatment and continue to improve over the following weeks,” he notes. “Downtime is brief, with some mild bruising and swelling that typically resolves within a week.”
HIFU
“Although there are a number of energy-based treatments that help tighten the area between the jawline and neck, I find HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) to be the most effective,” explains Dr Catherine Fairris, aesthetic doctor and president of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine. According to Dr Fairris, HIFU uses ultrasound energy to stimulate the production of collagen within the skin. “HIFU works by using ultrasound to generate heat to the layers of connective tissue found below the surface of the skin. That heat causes controlled damage to the tissue, stimulating the body’s natural healing process, and boosting production of collagen. It is increased collagen production that helps tighten and lift the neck area.”
“HIFU is most suited for mild to moderate laxity,” Dr Fairris adds. “Results from the treatment take about 12 weeks to fully appear and can last many months, however, I recommend an annual top-up treatment to maintain results.” She notes that HIFU has minimal downtime, though some patients may experience mild aching and redness in the treatment area.
Profhilo
Beyond energy-based treatments, injectables such as Profhilo are recommended as effective alternatives for improving the neck.
“To help improve laxity, fine lines, and crepey skin, Profhilo is injected in ten specific points on the neck utilising the precise BAP technique,” explains Julie Scott, nurse practitioner and clinical director of Facial Aesthetics. “This ensures that the ultra-pure hyaluronic acid formula is evenly distributed throughout the delicate tissues of the neck, deeply hydrating the skin and promoting collagen synthesis.”
Scott continues, “Profhilo has a unique regenerative cascade effect, meaning that — following the two-treatment protocol — patients will experience numerous benefits. Skin will be visibly lifted, its texture enhanced, and the degradation caused by UV rays will be improved, all with minimal downtime.”
Botox
Another injectable option is Botox, which can be used to perform a Nefertiti Neck Lift. The treatment involves injecting Botox into the platysma — the broad muscle extending from the lower face down the neck — to reduce its downward pull. This can soften prominent neck bands and create a subtle lifting effect around the lower face.
“It’s possible to successfully reduce platysma band prominence with Botox, and I frequently do this in patients with a hyperactive platysma,” explains Mr William Townley, plastic surgeon and expert in face and neck lifts. “It can also lift the corners of the mouth to give a slightly happier smile.”
Despite its name, however, Townley cautions that the treatment cannot replicate the results of a surgical lift. Any improvement in jawline definition is likely to be minimal, and it offers no significant improvement in the overall contour of the neck. It is best suited to those with minimal signs of ageing, a thin face, and prominent platysmal bands, rather than people experiencing jowling or significant soft tissue laxity.
“It’s the difference between releasing the handbrake of a car and letting it roll forward — that’s what Nefertiti does; it releases tension in the platysma muscle — versus turning the car on and driving it, which is the full scope of facial rejuvenation surgery,” Townley explains. Maintenance treatments are also required to sustain any results.
Neck Lift
While the aesthetic industry offers a multitude of neck treatments, more severe cases might require surgical intervention. As Mr Shaheel Chummun, a consultant plastic surgeon at the Emendo Surgical Group, explains, “There is a wide spectrum of treatments available for managing the area between the jawline and neck, however, surgery is most effective in managing moderate to severe tissue laxity and can be used independently or in combination with other non-surgical treatments.”
Mr Chummun notes that a neck lift is ideal for patients with excess fat and separation of the neck muscles. “A neck lift would allow excision of the excess fatty tissue, and re-approximation of the muscles in the neck to recreate better support and improve the neck contour. In some cases, other structures in the neck may need to be addressed to create a more rejuvenated look,” he comments. “For patients who have prominent jowls and excess fullness in the neck, it is common to combine a facelift with a neck lift. This allows for a better rejuvenation of the jawline and improvement of the area between the jawline and neck.”
In contrast to injectable or energy-based aesthetic treatments, a neck lift or a facelift requires significantly more downtime. “The recovery time for a neck or facelift varies on a myriad of factors such as individual healing ability, patient lifestyle factors, extent of surgery as well as techniques used,” Mr Chummun explains. “Typically, a patient can expect initial recovery within 2 weeks, with visual bruising and swelling gradually subsiding over several weeks. A full recovery, including a resolution of swelling and return to normal activities, may take several months.”
Skincare
While aesthetic procedures offer notable results, use of topical treatments can be an effective strategy for preventing a wrinkled, saggy, and crepey neck. As Charlene DeHaven, M.D., FACEP, and Clinical Director of iS Clinical, explains, “Collagen loss is the main cause of sagging, so adopting ingredients that stimulate collagen production is key. Peptides are among the best ingredients at preventing collagen loss, as when applied directly to the skin they instruct cells to produce more collagen. Retinol (vitamin A) also plays an effective role in supporting collagen production, providing greater structural support for your skin.” For those with sensitive skin, DeHaven advises bakuchiol, a natural ingredient that mimics retinol’s benefits without the side effects.
For those past the prevention stage, DeHaven recommends caffeine as a temporary fix for contouring the neck. “When applied topically, caffeine stimulates blood flow and causes vasoconstriction (constriction of the blood vessels), which can temporarily tighten and firm the skin.”
iS Clinical NeckPerfect Complex
Designed for the neck, jawline, and décolleté, the formula uses fruit acids and white willow bark extract — a natural source of salicylic acid — to gently exfoliate, soften the appearance of fine lines, and leave skin looking smoother and more even. Hyaluronic acid delivers a welcome hit of hydration, while hydrolysed quinoa helps defend against environmental damage. The clinical results are impressive, too: after two weeks, 76% of participants reported improved elasticity, 80% noticed less sagging, and 77% saw an improvement in firmness.
Trinny London The Elevator
When gravity starts making its presence known, The Elevator is here to push back. Trinny London’s rich, balmy formula targets sagging across the neck and jawline for a firmer, more lifted look. Isodonis japonicus phyto extract helps strengthen the connection between the epidermis and dermis, while the brand’s blend of decapeptides, oligopeptides, and nonapeptides supports collagen and elastin to soften neck lines and improve firmness. Encapsulated alpha arbutin also helps fade the appearance of age spots, leaving skin looking smoother, brighter, and more even.
Tronque Neck & Décolletage Elixir
This next-gen treatment is designed to firm, smooth, and brighten the neck and décolletage. Its headline ingredient is a patented exosome-mimetic active derived from green microalgae, which supports skin renewal and helps improve elasticity and resilience. A Natural Moisturising Factor, Pentavitin, betaine, and glycerin keep hydration levels topped up, leaving skin soft and supple. There’s also a potent vitamin C active to tackle uneven tone, boost radiance, and help protect against environmental stressors. With continued use, fine lines appear softened, texture looks more refined, and skin appears smoother, fresher, and more even.
The Inkey List Bio-Active Ceramide Neck Stick
The Inkey List’s Bio-Active Ceramide Neck Stick takes the fuss out of targeted neck care. Inspired by gua sha, the silky solid formula glides over the neck and décolletage without dripping or leaving a sticky residue. It combines 0.2% bio-active ceramide NP, 1% Gatuline In-Tense MB, and 2% CO₂llageneer to support the skin barrier, improve elasticity, and soften the appearance of lines and crepey texture. Made specifically for the thinner skin below the jawline, it is clinically proven to lift, firm, and visibly smooth the area in 14 days.