Facelift vs. Neck Lift
Patients looking to smooth wrinkles and lift sagging skin often turn to facial rejuvenation options like facelift and neck lift surgery. These two procedures can provide stunning, youthful results that complement the entire facial aesthetic. However, it can be tricky navigating these options and which may be best for you. Here, we discuss facelift vs. neck lift surgery, how each procedure works differently, and what results can be expected when the two are combined.
Exploring Facial Rejuvenation Options
For years, you’ll look at your reflection in the mirror and see minor to no visible changes. Then, suddenly, one day, you look at your face and are struck by aging signs that have seemingly come out of nowhere. Wrinkles, fine lines, hollow contours, and sagging skin are all common signs of aging that tend to show up in the face and neck regions.
Since the face and neck are areas that are difficult to conceal in everyday life, many people who are dissatisfied with aging signs seek facial rejuvenation plastic surgery. Options like facelift and neck lift surgery can transform a patient’s face and give them a smoother, tighter, and firmer contour that showcases the youth they feel on the inside.
Do Facelifts Include a Neck Lift?
When exploring facial rejuvenation options, facelift and neck lift surgery are two of the most popular choices that patients go for. Yet there can be some confusion regarding the areas that these procedures treat and whether they are always combined into one procedure. It is important to note that many plastic surgeons have their own methods for these types of procedures, so the answer to that question may vary depending on where you go. At The Lasky Clinic in Beverly Hills, Dr. Leslie Stevens often performs facelifts with neck lifts.
What Is a Facelift?
Facelift surgery involves adjustments to the midface and jawline by repositioning facial tissues, tightening the skin, and trimming excess skin. Many people choose to get a facelift to smooth facial lines, folds, and wrinkles around the midface and lift sagging skin into firmer and more youthful contours.
There are different types of facelift techniques (traditional facelift, mini facelift, etc.), each requiring its own unique incisions. In general, incisions are typically created near the temples and behind the ears. This allows your surgeon to access the facial tissues and skin, making the desired adjustments.
Since the skin is tightened and redraped, there are often significant benefits to the jawline, and the appearance of jowls (sagging skin underneath the jaw) may be removed. However, if there is a significant amount of sagging under the jaw and in the neck, it may be more beneficial to have a neck lift added to your procedure.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift focuses on rejuvenating the neck by tightening the skin, removing excess fat, smoothing wrinkles, and improving the overall appearance of the skin. Neck lift surgery can be an excellent option for patients with loose neck skin, wrinkles on the neck, muscle banding on the neck, and submental fat (fat underneath the chin).
During a neck lift, the incisions are created in the hairline and go down around the ears, often ending near the hair at the back of the head. These incisions allow your surgeon to make adjustments to the underlying tissues, redistribute and remove fat, and create your ideal aesthetic.
Can You Get a Neck Lift Without a Facelift?
While facelifts are commonly performed with a neck lift, it is possible to get a neck lift as a standalone procedure. People may choose to get a neck lift alone if they:
- Are only experiencing skin laxity in the neck region
- Want to address neck banding
- Want to remove submental fat and the appearance of a double chin
- Want to enhance and redefine the jawline
What Procedure Is Right for Me?
When looking at your options, it is important to consult a board-certified plastic surgeon who has robust facelift and neck lift experience. During a consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your face and neck, ask questions about your medical history, and listen to your areas of concern and surgical goals. Taking into consideration all these factors, your surgeon will make a recommendation for which procedure can best achieve your desired results. They may recommend a facelift, neck lift, or a combination of the two.
Combining Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery
Many people who are experiencing aging signs on their faces also have similar aging signs on their necks. Facelift and neck lift surgery are often combined to provide harmonious results, allowing your newly smooth and youthful face to blend seamlessly into your neck. When the two are combined, your surgeon can make significant improvements that complement the entire region. Patients are often able to get youthful, natural-looking results with this combination procedure.
Schedule Your Facelift and Neck Lift Consultation in Beverly Hills, CA
If you’re ready to rejuvenate your skin and unlock smoother, firmer facial contours, schedule your consultation with Dr. Stevens today. To learn more about facelift and neck lift surgery or to set up an appointment, call (310) 556-1003. You can also fill out our online contact form.
