Neck Lift

We slather moisturizers and sunscreen on our faces, but often we forget to take care of our necks. Because of this, our necks are quick to show aging, due to environmental factors (they are rarely protected from the sun, even when the rest of our bodies are), gravity, and genetics.

A neck lift, also known as a lower rhytidectomy, can correct signs of aging and environmental exposure, such as jowls along the jawline, accumulated fat under the chin, excess skin, or odd muscular contours. It is a great option for you if you feel like you neck has aged before your face, and now, your neck and face seem ‘mismatched.’

Who is it for?

Any healthy adult who feels their neck is aging too quickly and wants to rejuvenate the neck area.

What is treatment like?

Rhytidectomy (neck lift) is an outpatient surgery, performed under general anesthesia. An incision will be made either at the hairline, just above your ear. The incision may just cup the space behind your ear, or it may continue down to the base of your skull. Fat may be redistributed from the jowls into the neck, tissue will be manually repositioned, and muscles may be tightened. Your skin will be pulled taut around the redistributed fat and muscle, and the excess skin will be trimmed. Sometimes a separate, small incision is needed under the chin, for liposuction or muscle repair.

What are the risks?

All surgeries carry risks for medical complications. Don’t take aspirin, Advil, fish oil, or other blood thinners for a few weeks leading up to surgery, to avoid excessive bleeding. Your surgeon will more fully discuss all the risks.

What are the results?

It may take a few weeks for swelling to go down enough for you to enjoy your new, smoother neck, and about six months for your incision lines to fade. Usually, incision lines are well hidden by your hair. Ultimately, you’ll have a more youthful-looking neck, chin, and jawline.