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Neck Lift Questions: Common Answers
Dr. Carlo Honrado, MD, FACS
Double board-certified facial plastic & reconstructive surgeon
Neck Lift Questions: Common Answers
A neck lift, also called lower rhytidectomy, is surgery to improve visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
What is a neck lift?
A neck lift, also called lower rhytidectomy, is surgery to improve visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A neck lift addresses sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat under the chin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Age, weight loss, and genetics can contribute to loose neck skin, sagging jowls, or a double chin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
The neck is not an area that responds well to diet, exercise, or most over-the-counter skincare treatments (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
In 2020, plastic surgeons performed more than 160,000 neck lifts across the United States (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
What concerns can a neck lift address?
A neck lift addresses sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat under the chin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Facelift and neck lift procedures remain the principal modalities for treating signs of advanced aging in the lower face, jawline, and neck (PubMed Central).
Neck lift surgery can be combined with other facial contouring procedures (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Modern facial rejuvenation does not consider face- and necklifts in isolation, but includes a global perspective with ancillary surgical and nonsurgical procedures (PubMed Central).
How is a neck lift typically performed?
Because a neck lift is surgery, anesthesia is administered before the procedure begins (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
During a neck lift, an incision is typically made from the top of the ear to the lower hairline on both sides (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe, wraps behind the ear, and ends in the posterior hair behind the ear (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A second incision under the chin may be needed to further improve an aging neck (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Incisions may be closed with sutures that dissolve or need removal after a few days (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Some surgeons use skin glues to seal the incisions (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Once healed, facelift incision lines are well concealed within the hairline and natural contours of the face and ear (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Can neck lift techniques vary?
Anterior neck management varies significantly based on anatomy, amount of subcutaneous fat, and degree of platysmal banding (PubMed Central).
Reported anterior neck techniques include subcutaneous elevation alone, subcutaneous liposuction, corset platysmaplasty, partial platysmal myotomy, and total platysmal transection (PubMed Central).
High-level evidence comparing aesthetic outcomes and complication profiles among facelift and necklift techniques is limited (PubMed Central).
All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician.
What can recovery involve?
During neck lift recovery, a bandage could be placed around the face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising after the procedure (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A thin tube may be used to drain excess blood or fluid that may collect under the skin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A drain will likely be placed near the incision site to help prevent fluid buildup and uncomfortable swelling (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
After a neck lift, instructions may include surgical site and drain care and medications to aid healing and reduce infection potential (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
After a neck lift, instructions may include concerns to watch for at the surgical site or in general health and when to follow up with the surgeon (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Keeping the head elevated above the heart and straight is important to minimize swelling after a neck lift (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
After a neck lift, keeping the head elevated and moving the neck as little as possible helps the stitches remain intact (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Residual bruising and swelling may last for several weeks or more after a neck lift, while improved neck and jawline contours become visible as healing progresses (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Visible improvements after a facelift appear once swelling and bruising subside (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Individual results vary.
What safety points are commonly discussed?
Ice should not be applied to the neck because it can compromise blood flow and result in skin death (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
After a neck lift, instructions may include concerns to watch for at the surgical site or in general health and when to follow up with the surgeon (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician.
How do surgical and nonsurgical options relate?
Surgical procedures often reposition descended facial structures and improve soft-tissue laxity, but they do not address skin quality (PubMed Central).
Energy-device treatments, including radiofrequency, microneedling, microfocused ultrasound, laser, and combination treatments, have been used alongside surgical facial rejuvenation (PubMed Central).
Injectable neuromodulators and soft-tissue fillers remain a mainstay of facial rejuvenation before and after face- and necklift procedures (PubMed Central).
New techniques and devices should be discussed with a qualified physician.
What has research reported about previous neck treatments?
One study conducted a retrospective review of 180 neck lift procedures performed in 2023 by a single surgeon (PubMed Central).
In one study of 180 patients, 123 (68%) had previous neck treatments, including surgical neck lift and/or noninvasive therapies (PubMed Central).
In one study, patients who had undergone nonsurgical neck treatments had intraoperative findings including fibrosis, loss of normal tissue planes, platysma and deep fascia rigidity, and unpredictable fat distribution (PubMed Central).
In one study, no major complications occurred, but nearly all patients had postoperative contour irregularities attributed to destruction of supraplatysmal fat and platysma (PubMed Central).
Previous neck interventions may create deficits that prevent an optimal secondary neck lift outcome and may increase the potential for an adverse event (PubMed Central).
What are common limitations to understand?
Mini-lifts are usually reserved for patients with less skin relaxation because the results are less rejuvenating than a full facelift (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
A facelift or neck lift is not necessarily recommended to try to prevent future aging (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Surgical procedures often reposition descended facial structures and improve soft-tissue laxity, but they do not address skin quality (PubMed Central).
High-level evidence comparing aesthetic outcomes and complication profiles among facelift and necklift techniques is limited (PubMed Central).
FAQ
What is a neck lift?
A neck lift, also called lower rhytidectomy, is surgery to improve visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). A neck lift addresses sagging jowls, loose neck skin, and fat under the chin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Why do people consider a neck lift?
Age, weight loss, and genetics can contribute to loose neck skin, sagging jowls, or a double chin (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). The neck is not an area that responds well to diet, exercise, or most over-the-counter skincare treatments (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Where are neck lift incisions commonly placed?
During a neck lift, an incision is typically made from the top of the ear to the lower hairline on both sides (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). A neck lift incision often begins in front of the ear lobe, wraps behind the ear, and ends in the posterior hair behind the ear (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
What can recovery involve after a neck lift?
During neck lift recovery, a bandage could be placed around the face and neck to minimize swelling and bruising after the procedure (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Residual bruising and swelling may last for several weeks or more after a neck lift, while improved neck and jawline contours become visible as healing progresses (American Society of Plastic Surgeons).
Can a neck lift be combined with other treatments?
Neck lift surgery can be combined with other facial contouring procedures (American Society of Plastic Surgeons). Modern facial rejuvenation does not consider face- and necklifts in isolation, but includes a global perspective with ancillary surgical and nonsurgical procedures (PubMed Central).
This article was produced by Mentis Intelligence for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Individual results vary. All procedures should be discussed with a qualified physician. For a consultation with Dr. Carlo Honrado MD, FACS, contact (310) 286-0043 or visit drhonrado.com/contact. Content generated by AI (Mentis Intelligence) per California AB 3030 disclosure requirement.
To request a consultation with Dr. Carlo Honrado MD, FACS - Beverly Hills & Century City CA, visit drhonrado.com/contact.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Neck Lift Recovery | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: Facelift Procedure Steps | American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons: What you need to know about neck lifts | ASPS
- PubMed Central: Neck Lift After Nonsurgical Treatments: Fibrosis, Fat Loss, and Surgical Complexity
- PubMed Central: Current Trends in Facelift and Necklift Procedures
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All content published on drhonrado.com is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult Dr. Honrado directly for a personalized evaluation.
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