It seems like the focus of anti-aging treatments is usually on the face, so many patients feel that their neck is the first place to sow signs of aging. This can result in drooping, loose skin and fat that drags the face down and creates jowls or a turkey wattle. This can affect your overall profile, causing you to look older than you feel. We offer effective neck lift techniques to rejuvenate the neck and jawline, defining your features and rejuvenating your overall look.
The neck lift is sometimes called the lower rhytidectomy and can address sagging and signs of aging in the lower face. Over time, a loss of volume can cause the skin and tissues to droop, resulting in a loss of contour and youthfulness in the jawline or neck. Many patients experience muscle banding in the neck as a result of loose muscles that create unfavorable contours when making certain expressions. A neck lift can surgically lift and tighten these tissues through sutures and surgical excision.
Patients that benefit most from a neck lift are those showing extensive signs of aging in the lower face. A neck lift is most effective when combined with a facelift or brow lift for overall facial rejuvenation within the same surgical session. However, some patients experience signs of aging in the lower face that don’t match the rest of the face and opt for only a neck lift. If you’re considering plastic surgery, you should be in overall good health and have no medical conditions that could affect your safety during or after surgery.
The neck lift can be performed using two different incisions that vary based on the level of rejuvenation required. Both techniques can be commonly combined with liposuction in order to further refine the jawline and reduce sagging or fullness.
This incision is similar to the one used during a facelift, which follows the hairline near the ears and curves around to end in the hairline of the nape of the neck. This allows for access to the underlying tissues, which can be reshaped, reduced, and tightened. If you opt for liposuction, an additional incision can be placed underneath the chin. This method usually allows for more extensive rejuvenation.
This technique uses small incisions around the ear to rejuvenate the neck and chin, sometimes with the use of an endoscope. Because this method uses smaller incisions, it may not produce the extensive results as a traditional incision but can be ideal for patients showing the beginning signs of aging.
Your neck lift can be performed at our private, accredited surgical facility in St. Joseph. This process is usually performed under general anesthesia, which is only administered after you’re comfortable and prepared. Then, a predetermined incision is performed to gain access to the underlying tissues of the neck. Underlying fat can be repositioned or removed, and the muscles of the neck can be tightened with sutures. Then, the skin is redraped over the new contours and any excess is trimmed away. Overall, this procedure can take around two hours, depending on how extensive your facial rejuvenation is.
Most patients undergo downtime for around one week after a neck lift procedure. You can expect some pain and discomfort during this time, which can be managed with prescribed medications. It’s important to avoid excessive movement or exercise during this time, as this can aggravate your incisions. Be sure to avoid certain skincare products of cosmetics, as well as sunlight. We can recommend the best in scar management systems for use during your recovery if you are concerned about visible scarring. It’s normal for your neck skin to feel tight or stretched, and this will subside with time as your skin becomes accustomed to the new contours. Most patients find long-term results with a neck lift, but it cannot halt the aging process, so you should be sure to discuss your non-surgical options for maintaining your results during your consultation.
The first step in your neck rejuvenation process is a consultation with our experts, who can recommend the best options for you. To schedule a consultation at our St. Joseph office, contact us by calling or filling out our online form.
