Tighten and Rejuvenate the Jawline with a Neck Lift in Beverly Hills CA

Serving Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and surrounding areas

If the eyes are the first place people begin to show their age, then the neck is arguably the second. Vertical banding, horizontal creases, fatty jowls, the dreaded “turkey-wattle,” and a crepe-y quality to the skin can all work together to make an individual look older—man or woman. Neck lift surgery (the medical term is platysmaplasty, named for the platysma muscles that run along the front of the neck) tightens the skin and the underlying muscles to lift the neck as well as improve and sharpen the contour of the jawline. The surgery is often performed in conjunction with a facelift, but may also be done as a stand-alone procedure.

Understanding Neck Lift Surgery

A small incision is made under the chin and possibly in front of and/or behind the ears — to allow access to the neck muscles and any fat in the neck. The neck muscles can then be tightened and any excess fat removed. The surgeon may choose to remove the fat with liposuction or by cutting it out. The incisions near the ears also allow for removal of some excess skin. Once the muscle has been tightened and any excess fat removed, the skin is re-draped over the neck and the incisions are closed.

The procedure lasts about two to three hours. If the patient is having a neck lift in conjunction with liposuction, facelift, forehead lift, or other surgeries, the time will vary accordingly.

Neck Lift Benefits

While improving neck contour and sharpening the jawline is the primary focus of the neck lift, this is not the only advantage neck lifts deliver. Especially with a combined approach (incorporating liposuction, a facelift, and other treatments or elements), neck lifts can also provide the following benefits for men and women:

Mitigate the appearance of banding – Vertical neck bands are caused by muscle separation. Neck lift surgery dramatically reduces the appearance of this problem by tightening and lifting the tissues in the area.
Address submental fat – The technical term for a double chin, submental fat is that which accumulates underneath the chin, negatively impacting the aesthetic of the jawline. Neck lifts are commonly combined with liposuction to address this issue for a more sculpted and attractive end result.
Enjoy long-lasting results – Unlike noninvasive neck lift alternatives (comparisons to follow), a well-maintained neck lift procedure can last for a decade or several years longer, depending on age and other factors. Patients also require far fewer maintenance treatments (if any) after a neck lift.
Achieve a more harmonious aesthetic – Especially for patients who have had a facelift (or who are combining their neck lift with a face lift), this procedure ensures that the lower third of the face and neck area match each other for a seamless, rejuvenated aesthetic.

What To Expect After Treatment

After surgery, a pressure dressing is wrapped around the head and underneath the chin. The neck will feel tight and sore as the anesthesia wears off, and may show even more swelling and possible bruising over the next three days. Dressings may be removed after just a few days, but the sutures will remain in place for 5 to 7 days.

Most patients can return to non-strenuous work after 5 to 10 days. However, for the first several weeks after surgery, patients should avoid bending over, lifting heavy objects, and even turning their head from side to side. They will also have to sleep with the head elevated for one week.

Neck Lift Surgery Vs Alternative Treatments

New neck contouring procedures are continually being introduced and refined alongside the aesthetic medicine industry as a whole. Most of the more popular alternatives to neck lift surgery are less invasive, but typically cannot produce results that are as dramatic or long-lasting as conventional neck lift surgery. These alternatives also differ in application, recovery time, cost, and other key dimensions that may affect your decision to commit to one treatment over the other.

Kybella, Ultherapy, and thread lifts are among three of the most popular alternatives to neck lift surgery. Read on to see where they are different from (and similar to) neck lift surgery.

Kybella vs Neck Lift Surgery

Kybella is a non-surgical injectable treatment that is specifically aimed at reducing the appearance of fat beneath the chin. This prescription treatment uses deoxycholic acid, a compound produced naturally by the body that facilitates the deconstruction and absorption of dietary fat. Typically, patients will receive between 2-6 treatments. Though following post-treatment protocols is important to preserve results, there is very little downtime.

While Kybella is less invasive than neck lift surgery, requiring much less recovery time, it is not capable of creating results that are as comprehensive when it comes to reducing neck banding and contouring the jawline. The results are potentially permanent, since the destroyed fat cells cannot return, but fat can still return to the area (due to diet, lifestyle, and other factors) as surrounding cells expand.

Finally, Kybella costs less than neck lift surgery, but how much less varies on number of sessions desired, facility fees, and other factors. For neck lift patients looking to hone in on submental fat without liposuction, Kybella may be an appropriate complementary treatment.

Ultherapy vs Neck Lift Surgery

Ultherapy is sometimes referred to as “the ultrasound facelift” for its ability to mirror the effects of this popular surgery, including tightening and lifting of the facial skin. This treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to create controlled perturbations in the skin. These carefully pinpointed “microthermal coagulation zones” cause the skin to respond by tightening the collagen fibers, creating that more vibrant and youthful look.

Ultherapy is particularly effective at treating jowls, which in turn enhances the contour of the jawline. It is also more affordable than neck lift surgery in most cases, and requires virtually no downtime. However, as a non-surgical treatment, Ultherapy is not as effective for moderate to severe cases of skin laxity, banding, and fat accumulation as neck lift surgery.

The other drawback to consider is that the results of Ultherapy may last as long as two years when well-maintained, where neck lifts can produce results for a decade or more. Like Kybella, Ultherapy can be used to complement the effects of a surgical neck lift as part of a combined anti-aging treatment approach.

Thread Lifts vs Neck Lift Surgery

A thread lift procedure uses dissolvable sutures to gently pull back and lift the skin. To summarize, a fine suture is inserted into the skin via a small needle, after which it grabs onto the skin and pulls it back. This prompts the production of collagen, which further enhances the texture and appearance of the skin over time.

Like neck lift surgery, thread lift procedures can reduce the appearance of jowls and enhance jawline and neck contour. Thread lifts require less downtime, and are typically less costly than a neck lift surgery. However, thread lifts do not produce as dramatic of a result as neck lift surgery, and results typically last up to 18 months.

As such, neck lift surgery is a better choice for moderate or advanced skin laxity, jowling, and similar issues affecting the neck and jaw area. In many cases, patients will opt for a thread lift at an earlier age, which gives them a preview of the results that neck surgery may provide. Then, as signs of aging return and progress, a neck lift can be performed to keep them at bay for much longer.

How Long Do the Results of a Neck Lift Last?

To provide an approximate range, many patients enjoy the results of a neck lift surgery for between 10 to 15 years. However, there are many factors that can affect both the duration and nature of your results, including your age at the time of the procedure, lifestyle habits, and others included below:

Age – Patients from their late 20s to well into their 60s can all benefit from the rejuvenating effects of a neck lift. However, those on the younger side of that spread will typically see longer-lasting results, as their natural collagen production has not declined as much as that of older patients.
Weight – It’s important for patients to stay as close to their optimal weight as possible following neck lift surgery, as rapid weight fluctuations can cause the treated skin to loosen. This applies both to rapid and/or repeated weight loss and weight gain.
Skin quality – Genetics, the skin’s elasticity and thickness, past sun exposure, and other factors can affect both the skin’s initial response to neck lift surgery and its ability to maintain those results over time.
Sun exposure – Too much exposure to UV rays gradually degrades elastin and collagen content, with or without surgery.
Lifestyle – Poor diet (and hydration), insufficient exercise, and smoking are three of the most common culprits when it comes to a decline in skin condition, including among post-op neck lift patients.
Skincare – Using gentle and effective skincare products, keeping the skin hydrated, and undergoing complementary treatments (Ultherapy, microneedling, etc.) can help to significantly prolong or even build upon your neck lift surgery results.

How Much Does Neck Lift Surgery Cost?

Also dependent on several factors—including details unique to each patient’s case, the facility, and the general location—neck lift surgery costs can vary widely.

For example, the surgeon’s experience, facility fees, the type of neck lift procedure (mini neck lift, neck lift + lipo, etc.), and the type of anesthesia used can all significantly affect the total cost picture, as can market prices for that area of the country.

Finally, insurance typically does not cover neck lifts, as they are classified as elective cosmetic procedures. However, if the procedure is required for reconstructive purposes, or to correct severe skin laxity causing swallowing issues, coverage may be available.

Is a Neck Lift Right for You?

The neck is an area that can show early signs of aging and is susceptible to losing its taut and smooth look through aging, sun damage, and weight gain and loss. Neck lift surgery can pull the neck skin so it’s tight again and can remove excess skin from the neck — to improve its overall appearance. It’s an excellent option for jowls, sagging skin under the chin and in the neck area, neck wrinkles (platysmal bands, or neck bands), and/or poor chin or jawline contours.

Other Considerations

Individuals who are looking to reduce the signs of aging on their entire face should consider ancillary procedures like a facelift or fractional laser resurfacing. While neck lift procedures address the sagging and wrinkling of the neck, they do not address anything above the jaw line. Patients who are bothered by wrinkles around the lips or hollowed cheeks might consider a facelift that includes repositioning of the mid-face tissues. Dr. Moradzadeh can advise you on what combination of treatments will produce the most natural and consistent-looking results.

Choose AM Facial Plastics of Beverly Hills for Natural-Looking, Long-Lasting Neck Lift Results

Ready to commit to a treatment with truly powerful, confidence-boosting results? Dr. Moradzadeh and his team at AM Facial Plastics will partner with you to create a fully tailored, transformative treatment experience.

Neck Lift Surgery