Morpheus 8 Skin Tightening

Growing up, instead of the usual scary stories of ghouls and ghosts, my mother liked to tell me horror stories of the ‘Fitton Neck’ and how I one day too could develop this abysmal feature. So terrifying where these stories she told my teenage self, they have plagued me ever since.

The ‘Fitton Neck’ as my mother likes to call it, is the neck passed through the genes on my grandmothers’ side and developed over age.  Most commonly referred to as the ‘turkey neck’, It has fuelled my desire to discover the best in non-invasive skin firming treatments and what lead me to Dr. David Jack and his infamous Morpheus 8 treatment.

Loved by Kim Kardashian and Amanda Holden for its incredible skin firming abilities, both Morpheus 8 and Dr.David Jack were recently featured in the Tatler 2020 Cosmetic Surgery guide as ‘Best for a tauter visage’.

So, what exactly is all the fuss about? A fractional skin treatment that stimulates collagen production, it works by creating micro-injuries on the skin using titanium microneedles, coupled with radiofrequency energy, which heats the layers deep to the skin. The micro-injuries, in combination with the radiofrequency heating, stimulate a reaction in the skin which (over the following 3-6 months) increases the levels of collagen and elastin in the skin, tightening, lifting and thickening the supporting layers.

Sounds pretty impressive right?! But what really makes Morpheus 8 stand out compared to other forms of radiofrequency microneedling is its precise way of targeting the deeper layers of the skin and unique silicone coating on the microneedles, for deeper tightening and reduced risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation.

Used on any area of lax skin, the most commonly treated areas include the abdomen, lower face, double chin and the all-important ‘Fitton neck’. Never one to miss out on an opportunity to achieve a tauter visage, I eagerly book myself in with Dr.Jack…Then Covid hit and I had to wait several more months until I finally buzzed the bell of his Harley Street Clinic.

Dr. David Jack

Born and raised in Scotland, where he studied medicine, anatomy and embryology, and a member Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Dr.Jack has become somewhat of a trailblazer on London’s Aesthetics scene;: Whilst his synonymous skincare line, can be found in every beauty editors bathroom cabinet (including my own).

As it turned out, Dr.Jack and I are no strangers having met many moons ago whilst filming at his former premises in Knightsbridge. In true Scots style, the doctor warm and welcoming, clearly talking me through the procedure as he applies a strong topical numbing cream to my face and neck (for body treatments, a series of local anaesthetic injections are used instead). I am then asked to wait in the waiting room for an hour as the cream gets to work.

Morepheus 8

Scrolling through Instagram and sipping on my oat milk cappuccino, I can’t help but notice how many people are rotating through the doors of Dr. Jack’s clinic. I am later informed that this is in part down to Covid and the rush of clients desperate to see him following months of no treatments. The other is pure testament to his stature in the industry (my words not his).  

When the hour is up and I can no longer feel my face, we head up stairs to the treatment room. Morpehous 8 itself is a surprisingly quick treatment. Taking between 10-20 minutes, during which you will experience a generally, mildly uncomfortable electrical sensation under the skin with each pulse, areas closer to the bone such as the jaw line are particularly eye watering.  Nether-the-less, I’ve seen the before and after pictures, so I clench my jaw and focus on the fact that it will soon be over.

Immediately post-procedure, my skin is slightly red and swollen. As is typical with these kinds of treatments, I am told to keep my skin clean, dry and use only the gentlest skincare products. Any AHA’s must be avoided for at least five days.

Over the next seven days, though the redness had died down, my skin feels rougher and bumpier than usual and I continue to take extra care avoiding any harsh retinols. By day eight to nine it’s back to its normal and I am able to resume with my usual skincare routine.

Seven weeks post procedure and the results are beginning to take shape. A diminishing of fine lines around the forehead, eyes and mouth, as well as a gentle lifting of the neck and jawline. The final results I am told won’t be fully evident until around 6 months post procedure (those little collagen and estlastin building blocks take time) but already the results are proving exciting.

MORPHEOUS 8 With Dr. David Jack, for face and neck or 2 sessions costs £2900 (£1450 per session). To book your consultation visit  drdavidjackclinic.com