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facelift vs neck lift

Do I Need a Facelift or a Neck Lift?

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Some areas of our body age more noticeably than others. Wrinkles, lines, sagging skin, and other imperfections that affect the appearance of our face and neck can take a serious toll on our self-esteem. Premature aging of the face and neck can occur as a result of stress, gravity, environmental conditions, or natural aging. Plastic surgery can provide a safe and effective solution. However, it can be difficult for some patients to know which cosmetic procedure can provide the most helpful path to their specific aesthetic goals. Both facelift surgery and neck lift surgery can help patients achieve a rejuvenated, younger-looking appearance, but they do so in different ways. For patients who find themselves unsure when choosing between a facelift and a neck lift, I am happy to explain how both procedures can help.

Neck lift surgery, also known as lower rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgery procedure designed specifically to help rejuvenate the appearance of the neck and jawline. During a neck lift, I may use liposuction to remove excess fat from the neck area (especially for patients who experience a “double chin” or jowls). Sometimes I may remove excess skin and tighten the neck muscles to provide a more youthful look if needed. A neck lift can be the ideal choice for patients who wish to treat aging in their neck but are satisfied with the appearance of their upper face.

Despite its name, facelift surgery can also be very helpful for people who are concerned about the appearance of their neck. Excess fat, skin, tissue, and wrinkles on the neck, as well as the appearance of jowls, are common concerns among prospective facelift patients. This is why I focus on treating the neck as part of a facelift when this is a result the patient desires. In many cases, my patients are able to achieve the improved neck and jawline that they wanted without the need for additional neck lift surgery.

In the video below, I discuss my technique for performing facelift surgery and how it can help improve the appearance of the neck:

We may not be able to stop the aging process, but that doesn’t mean that you have to live with an appearance that you’re not happy with. If you are not satisfied with the appearance of your face or neck, or you are concerned about premature facial aging, the first step towards aesthetic improvement is scheduling a consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon like myself. For more information or to schedule your consultation today, please contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. Don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter for more plastic surgery tips, videos, news, and updates.

Ask Dr. Elliott: How Do I Decide Between a Facelift and a Neck Lift?

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While everyone has aspects of their appearance they want to change, self-consciousness about particularly visible areas (like the face and neck) can take an especially large toll on one’s self-esteem. Depending on what your aesthetic concerns are, plastic surgery may be the most effective way to restore your confidence in your appearance. However, it’s important to choose the right procedure for your needs, and this can be more difficult than it initially seems. If you aren’t sure whether a facelift or a neck lift is the best choice for you, these tips can help you have a better understanding of your options.

Ask Dr. Elliott How Do I Decide Between a Facelift and a Neck LiftA facelift can rejuvenate areas including and above the jawline and chin, while a neck lift targets the neck below the chin.

Both the neck lift and facelift improve sagging skin, but finding the line between where a facelift stops and a neck lift begins can be difficult, especially considering that a facelift can be customized to focus on the specific areas of the face each individual patient wants to address. While some patients consider the jowl area to be closer to the “neck” region, a facelift or short scar facelift is generally the better way to address this popular concern. A neck lift, on the other hand, targets areas further down the neck. When you schedule a consultation with me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott, we can discuss your needs and determine which procedure best fits your desired results.

A facelift primarily improves signs of aging, while a neck lift can also have a slimming effect.

As we age, our skin loses volume and firmness, and while this doesn’t generally have the effect of making the face look heavier, sagging skin in the neck area can unfortunately create a less flattering appearance, and excess fat below the chin can amplify the effect. While lifting and repositioning facial tissue (which is done during a facelift) can take years off your appearance, a neck lift also has the result of giving you a more slender (and, of course, younger) profile, so it’s important to decide whether this is a desired result when you’re choosing a procedure. While simply removing excess skin will have a slimming effect, combining a neck lift with liposuction may produce even more significant results, so be sure to discuss your aesthetic priorities during your pre-surgical consultation.

Doing your research and reading articles such as this to learn about your cosmetic options can be a great way to begin your cosmetic surgery process. However, your final decision about any aesthetic procedure should be made with the guidance of a board-certified plastic surgeon, and a personal consultation is a vital step in the process. For more helpful information and the latest news about plastic surgery, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.