What is a lower face & neck lift, and how is it performed?
A lower face & neck lift is a cosmetic surgery procedure intended to restore a youthful appearance to the lower face and jawline by tightening underlying muscles, removing excess skin, and often addressing unwanted fat deposits. Think of it as giving your lower face and jaw a smoother, more youthful contour by addressing sagging skin, excess fat, and those vertical “band” lines that can appear with age.
During the surgery, small incisions are typically hidden behind the ears and sometimes under the chin. Through these discrete incisions, the platysma muscle is tightened, excess fat removed (sometimes with liposuction), and the skin is gently repositioned for a smooth, natural contour. The goal is a refreshed, natural-looking result and not a pulled or “done” appearance. The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or sedation, and most patients go home the same day!
Who is a good candidate for a lower face & neck lift?
Great question! The ideal candidate is someone who’s bothered by loose neck skin, vertical muscle bands (sometimes called “turkey neck”), jowling, or excess fat under the chin that doesn’t improve with diet or exercise. Ideal patients are also in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and simply want a more defined neck and jaw. If you’re noticing that your neck looks older than the rest of your face, or if you’ve experienced significant weight loss leading to sagging, you might be a perfect candidate. A private, in-person consultation will help us determine if a neck lift or perhaps another treatment option is best for your goals.
Generally, ideal candidates are:
- In good overall health
- Non-smokers (or willing to quit before and after surgery)
- Have good skin elasticity, but noticeable sagging or “turkey wattle” skin
- Frustrated by a double chin or loss of jawline definition that doesn’t improve with diet and exercise
Age generally isn’t the deciding factor, as it’s more about your anatomy and goals. I see patients ranging from their 40s to their 70s who want a sleeker, firmer neck and jawline.
Can a lower face & neck lift be combined with other facial procedures?
Absolutely! In fact, many of my patients choose to combine a lower face & neck lift with a facelift, browlift, eyelid surgery, or even fat transfer to maximize results and maintain facial harmony. When performed together, these procedures often use overlapping incisions and can allow for a single recovery period to help make your transformation as efficient as possible. We can discuss all your goals in your consultation and then tailor a personalized plan that helps you look as refreshed and natural as you feel inside.
Will there be visible scars, and where are the incisions placed?
Modern neck lift techniques are designed to minimize scarring. Incisions are generally tucked behind the ears and sometimes under the chin, placed within natural skin folds or hairlines.
Once healed, these scars are usually very faint and easy to conceal, even with shorter hairstyles. Over time, these scars fade significantly and are often barely noticeable, even to you! We’ll provide detailed instructions for scar care, and I’m always available to inspect healing at your follow-up visits to ensure the best cosmetic outcome possible.
How long is the recovery and downtime?
Most patients take around two weeks off from work or social obligations to allow initial swelling and bruising to subside. By three weeks, most people feel comfortable resuming light activity, and by six weeks, you should be back to your usual routine, including more active exercise. Full healing and optimal results will continue to develop for several months, but you’ll be able to enjoy visible improvements quite soon. We’ll walk you through every step of post-op care and check on your progress to make sure your recovery is smooth, comfortable, and as quick as possible.
