Neck Lift

What You Should Know

A neck lift is a surgical procedure designed to improve the appearance of the neck by removing excess skin and tightening underlying muscles. This treatment addresses issues such as sagging skin, double chin, and muscle banding, resulting in a smoother, firmer, and more youthful neck contour. A neck lift can be performed alone or combined with a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Recovery time varies, but patients typically experience significant improvements in neck definition and overall profile.

What is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift is a surgery that lifts sagging skin, eliminates unwanted fat, and recontours the jawline and neckline. It’s typically done to treat symptoms of aging such as hanging skin (turkey neck), prominent neck bands, or a double chin—giving a smoother, more elegant profile.

Who is a Good Candidate for a Neck Lift?

  • You have loose, sagging neck skin or muscle bands
  • You notice fat building up beneath the chin or jawline
  • You want a more defined chin-to-neck angle
  • You are in good overall health and have reasonable expectations
  • You are disturbed by signs of aging in the neck even with a youthful face

Candidates for a neck lift are generally men and women between 40–70, although younger patients with genetic fullness or sagging may be helped too.

What Issues Can a Neck Lift Treat?

  • Sagging lower face skin or jowls
  • Excess chin fat (double chin)
  • Vertical platysmal bands (muscle cords)
  • Faded jawline definition
  • Potential skin laxity on the neck resulting from weight loss or aging

How Is a Neck Lift Performed?

A neck lift might consist of various components:

  • Liposuction to take away excess fat
  • Platysmaplasty to tighten the vertical neck muscles
  • Tightening skin to eliminate laxity and to lift the lower face

Incisions are often positioned:

  • Behind the ears
  • Under the chin (if there is work to be done on the muscle or the liposuction)

The operation is performed under general anaesthesia and lasts 2 to 3 hours, depending on the case.

How Long Is the Recovery Time?

  • Swelling, tightness, and bruising are normal in the first 1–2 weeks
  • Most people are back to social life in 10–14 days
  • Light exercise can be resumed after a few days; strenuous exercise after 3–4 weeks
  • A compression garment can be worn to aid healing

Healing lasts for weeks, and final results show in 2–3 months.

Will There Be Scars?

Yes, but in concealed areas behind the ears and under the chin, where they will be discreet and easily concealed when healed.

How Long Do Neck Lift Results Last?

Results may last 10–15 years, depending on skin quality, age, lifestyle, and sun exposure. The aging process continues, but the neck will always look younger than it would have been without surgery.

Is a Neck Lift Painful?

Mild tightness, swelling, and discomfort are anticipated but usually well-managed with medication. Most patients experience a sensation of tightness instead of sharp pain during initial recovery.

What Are the Risks of Neck Lift Surgery?

  • Bleeding or hematoma
  • Infection
  • Nerve damage (temporary numbness or weakness)
  • Scarring
  • Asymmetry or under/overcorrection

Selecting a board-certified, experienced surgeon reduces these risks and provides natural results.

Can a Neck Lift Be Combined With Other Procedures?

  • Facelift (for complete lower face and neck rejuvenation)
  • Chin augmentation
  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)
  • Botox or dermal fillers for complete facial balance

What’s the Difference Between a Neck Lift and a Facelift?

A facelift is mainly for sagging skin in the mid- to lower face, such as jowls and nasolabial folds. A neck lift is specifically for the jawline, under-chin region, and neck. They are usually done together for balanced rejuvenation.

Are There Non-Surgical Alternatives to a Neck Lift?

Yes, but outcomes are more restricted. Choices include:

  • Ultrasound (Ultherapy) or radiofrequency (RF) tightening
  • Injectable therapies (such as Botox for neck lines or Kybella for losing fat)
  • Thread lifts or laser skin tightening

These alternatives can provide minor to moderate benefit but will never equal the enduring and dramatic changes of surgery.

Ready to Recontour Your Neck and Jawline?

A neck lift can achieve long-term, sophisticated rejuvenation with minimal scarring. Alone or with other facial cosmetic procedures, it restores a youthful, chiseled contour. Schedule an appointment today and discuss your choices.

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