Neck Lift
Skin laxity, muscle banding, and fat deposits are common age-related issues that affect the neck. These concerns are frequently intensified by excessive sun exposure, smoking, and weight fluctuations. A neck lift – which is often performed alongside a facelift to further improve the facial aesthetic – can create a stronger, more attractive jawline while reducing sagging, excess fat (i.e. a “turkey neck”), and more.
Each year, thousands of men and women undergo neck lift surgery to enhance the appearance of their neck, chin, and jawline. Our board-certified Bethesda plastic surgeon can evaluate your needs and desired outcome during an initial consultation to determine whether neck lift surgery is right for you.
*Individual Results May Vary
- Neck Lift Candidacy
- Complementary Procedures to Neck Lift Surgery
- Neck Lift Procedure
- Neck Lift Risks
- Neck Lift Recovery
- Neck Lift Results
- Neck Lift Scars
- Non-Surgical Neck Lift
- Neck Lift Cost
Neck Lift Surgery at a Glance
- Sedation: General anesthesia
- Potential Benefits: A slimmer, more defined jawline; reduction of excess fat and sagging skin
- Potential Risks: Swelling, bruising, discoloration, numbness; (less commonly) infection, bleeding, scarring, adverse reactions to anesthesia*
- Procedure Length: Between one and three hours*
- Recovery Time: Patients can usually return to work within a week; more strenuous activities can generally be resumed after four weeks
- Cost: From approximately $8,200 to $12,900, depending on specifics of the procedure
Am I a Good Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery?
A neck lift can achieve multiple goals. If you have excess skin and fatty tissue on your neck, a diminishing jawline, or deep creases, this procedure can create a more youthful appearance.
In addition to having one or more of these concerns, you should also be in good general health and be a non-smoker. If you do use tobacco, Dr. Richards will ask you to suspend your habit for at least a month before and after the surgery to optimize healing.
Complementary Procedures to Neck Lift Surgery
A highly versatile treatment, neck lift surgery is often combined with other procedures for more comprehensive results. As mentioned above, a neck lift is performed alongside a facelift in many (but not all) cases. In tandem, these two strategies can smooth and rejuvenate the lower third of the face and entire neck for a much more youthful aesthetic.
Dr. Richards may also recommend surgeries that address the other facial areas. For instance, a receding chin can be corrected with a chin implant placed at the time of a neck lift. Alternatively, eyelid surgery (also known as “blepharoplasty”) can correct drooping eyelids and a “tired” appearance for a cohesive rejuvenation.
Although the terms “neck lift” and “neck contouring” are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually refer to different techniques. Specifically, the patient’s skin quality and amount of sagging skin differentiate the need for a neck lift from neck contouring. Neck contour surgery involves reducing the neck fat and tightening the neck’s thin muscular lining to eliminate neck bands without removing any skin. In this case, the patient is dependent on the neck skin shrinking over the new neck contours. A neck lift is performed when Dr. Richards determines the skin elasticity has failed. In that procedure, he removes the excess skin through incisions behind the ears and in front of the earlobes.
No matter your specific facial rejuvenation goals, Dr. Richards will be glad to work with you. Schedule your consultation today to develop a personalized surgical plan.
What Does the Neck Lift Procedure Entail?
Dr. Richards performs neck lift surgery under general anesthesia in an outpatient surgical facility or hospital setting. He is proficient in a variety of different neck lift techniques, explained in further detail below.
Full Neck Lift
Patients with a significant amount of loose skin and weak muscles in the neck generally need a full neck lift procedure. In a full neck lift, excess skin can be trimmed away and sagging tissue tightened for a firmer, smoother, and more youthful-looking result. Incisions are typically made behind the ears, where they are effectively hidden from view.
Partial (Mini) Neck Lift
If your skin is firm and of good quality, a “mini” or “partial” neck lift may be a better option than a full neck lift. The procedure requires only three small incisions: one behind each earlobe and one under the chin. Liposuction is often utilized to eliminate unwanted fatty tissue in the minimal skin excision approach. This minimal technique can be expanded to include tightening of the underlying muscles.
What Are the Risks Associated with Neck Lift Surgery?
Although every surgical procedure carries some risk, neck lift surgery is generally considered safe when performed by an experienced plastic surgeon. That said, possible complications include adverse reaction to the anesthesia; excessive swelling or numbness; or, rarely, infection or bleeding. Smokers have a greater risk of healing problems than do non-smokers, which is why we ask our patients to cease smoking for an absolute minimum of four weeks before and four weeks after surgery.
What Is the Recovery Process for Neck Lift Surgery Like?
Once the neck lift procedure is complete, a small drain and a compression garment are often used to reduce swelling and stabilize the neck. Swelling, bruising, tenderness, numbness, and tightness are common, but these effects should fade with time. We will provide prescription medication to manage your pain and enhance your experience as you heal.
Everyone heals differently, and you should listen closely to what your body tells you. With this in mind, expect to take at least a week off from work and normal duties; alternatively, some patients may benefit from a slightly longer recovery. Strenuous exercise and activity should be avoided initially and modified for the first four weeks, after which normal recreation and fitness can typically begin again.
Dr. Richards will provide additional details during your first meeting, and he and his skilled team will be available to answer any questions that may arise.
How Long Do Neck Lift Results Last?
The results of a neck lift can be long-lasting, typically providing a more youthful appearance for several decades. With that being said, the exact duration of these effects can vary based on your age, genetics, skin quality, and lifestyle factors. The surgical techniques employed can also influence the duration of results. For optimal effects, we advise you to follow your aftercare instructions closely and maintain a healthy diet and skin care routine following the surgery.
Where Will My Neck Lift Scars Be Located?
Every treatment plan is customized to suit the unique characteristics of the patient. That said, most procedures will use incisions that are hidden in creases behind the ears or under the chin. Most patients experience excellent healing of the scars, and with time they should fade in color and should become virtually invisible.
Is a Non-Surgical Neck Lift Possible?
For those uninterested in or ineligible for surgery, Dr. Richards may suggest alternative techniques to contour skin and tissue on the neck, such as Ultherapy®, UltraSlim® Non-Surgical Fat Reduction, or AQUAGOLD® fine touch™ MicroChanneling. Ultherapy® uses ultrasound energy (HIFU) to tighten mild amounts of excess skin on the face and neck, whereas UltraSlim® is designed to deplete fat cells using visible red light. AQUAGOLD® fine touch™, a microneedling treatment, can effectively reduce excess neck skin with anti-aging serums and hyaluronic acid. These procedures are generally less invasive than surgeries, and are often completed in a few hours or less at our office.
While these treatments can achieve some rejuvenation in the neck, it is important to note that they are usually better suited for smaller buildups of fat or excess skin. For more severe levels, we may recommend a neck lift.
If your skin is relatively firm and is of good quality, a minimal or “no-incision” neck lift may be a better option for you than a full neck lift. No skin is trimmed in the minimal incisional procedures, but excess fatty tissue is removed and muscles may be tightened. If your primary concern is mild laxity, volume loss, and wrinkles, certain skin care treatments may provide sufficient benefit. Dr. Richards will review all your options with you to find the ideal approach based on your needs, goals, and lifestyle.
How Much Does a Neck Lift Cost?
Pricing for a neck lift on its own begins at $8,200. When neck lift surgery is performed alongside a facelift (which is frequently the case), pricing begins at $12,900. Please note that this number only includes the surgeon’s fee and does not include hospital fees, anesthesia, or the cost of other highly variable factors. Dr. Richards will create a customized treatment plan and a member of our team can calculate the cost estimate, including all associated expenses, during the initial consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and you are welcome to explore the many financing options we offer at Ageless Impressions – Plastic Surgery Institute.
If you are interested in facial plastic surgery and want to see if you are a candidate for neck lift, contact the Ageless Impressions – Plastic Surgery Institute to schedule a consultation with Mark E. Richards, MD.