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Neck lift or face lift?

Posted on November 18, 2011 by martin

We often receive enquiries from people who are more concerned with the appearance of their neck than their face. Typically, they ask whether we can perform a neck lift as a sole procedure. The fact is that the tissues of the lower face and neck are so intimately connected, that the correct approach is almost always to carry out a face lift in conjunction with a neck lift. In fact, for many people a face lift alone will address the problem of a ‘scraggy’ or ‘droopy’ neck. You can read a posting from our forum on this topic here.

The other issue that concerns some people is the site and size of the scar associated with a neck lift. Access to the tissues in the front of the neck can be tricky and cannot be achieved using a ‘keyhole’ scar. However, like all scars, neck lift scars tend to become unnoticeable with time. A patient recently sent us the before and after photographs she had taken herself (the latter four days after surgery) which show well the incision used and the sort of results which can be expected after combined advanced mini face lift and neck lift. Notice that in the before photograph there is a prominent skin crease under the chin before surgery. The neck lift incision is made in this natural crease.

In summary, a neck lift is not suitable or necessary for everyone. For patients with ‘stringy bands’ in their necks, the results of surgery are immediate and very gratifying. We rarely (if ever) perform a neck lift as a sole procedure, although it can be a very effective adjunct to a face lift. Although scarring can at first appear to be dramatic, it becomes virtually unnoticeable with time. Indeed, it is necessary to look upwards under the chin to be able to see neck lift scars at all!

Neck lift or face lift?

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