Neck Lift
- Can be performed with or without a deep plane facelift, depending on the patient
- Incisions are tucked discreetly around the ear and under the chin
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What is Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure where a small incision is made under the chin, loose skin is lifted over a portion of the neck, and loose platysma muscle is released from some of its deep attachments and tightened over at the center of the neck. The platysma muscle is a thin muscle that sits deep to the skin and fat under the neck. It extends widely across the central and lateral neck. It is weakest at the center of the neck. Weak, loose platysma muscle contributes to the bands that can develop in the center of the neck with age. Platysma bands blunt the angle between the jawline and the neck. Excess skin from the neck is then lifted laterally around the ears and removed. If a neck lift is performed with a deep plane facelift, the excess skin is removed through the facelift incision. If a neck lift is performed alone, a more limited incision is made around the ears and hairline. Excess fat can be removed through a neck lift incision. Large and/or droopy salivary glands can be reduced in size through a neck lift incision.
What Conditions Does the Procedure Address?
The goal of a neck lift procedure is to improve the contours of the neck that are lost with age. The age-related changes to the neck can occur in multiple layers with multiple tissue types. The conditions a neck lift helps address include:
Before & After
Explore our galleries to see the stunning, natural results Dr. Harmon delivers.
Why Choose Dr. Harmon
The desire for youthfulness is understandable. There is no area more important than the face. After all, the face cannot be hidden. It is how we present ourselves to the world. Dr. Harmon works with a refined eye and trained hands to develop a personalized treatment plan with you, utilizing advanced techniques in surgical and non-surgical care of the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair.
Fellowship trained facial plastic surgeons have a unique specialized skill set in performing surgical and non-surgical procedures on the face, nose, eyes, neck and hair. The pathway to becoming a facial plastic surgeon begins with five years of rigorous training in head and neck surgery. This training is focused on all aspects of surgery for the head and neck, in addition to aesthetic and reconstructive procedures.
A small pool of top performing graduates from head and neck surgery programs are then selected to complete sub-specialty training as a fellow in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery through the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS).
Dr. Harmon completed his fellowship in facial plastic surgery through the AAFPRS with the world-renowned facial plastic surgeon Dr. Andrew Jacono on Park Avenue in New York City. Dr. Jacono is world renowned for developing the extended deep plane facelift technique. Dr. Harmon is one of the few surgeons in the world, and the only surgeon in the Cincinnati area, fellowship trained in this technique by Dr. Jacono.
Quad A Accredited Surgery Suite
Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery is proud to have a Quad A accredited operating room and facility in our office. Our single-physician, single-specialty facility meets or exceeds the strict guidelines and high standards set forth by Quad A, demonstrating our strong commitment to patient safety and excellence in surgical care. We utilize the services of board-certified anesthesiology physicians only as well as our own personal clinical support staff to ensure the most comfortable, safest experience for our clients.
Overview of the Procedure
The team at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery works tirelessly to prepare patients well for their procedure. The time spent with patients and resources provided facilitates a smooth transition from the procedure through recovery. The following overview is a broad summary of the information provided to patients:
Procedure Consultation
Expect a detailed, informative discussion with Dr. Harmon about your concerns and aesthetic goals. He will develop a personalized treatment plan to address these concerns and goals.
Pre-Treatment Preparation
Patients receive a packet with detailed pre-operative instructions prior to surgery. This packet includes information on what supplements and medications to hold prior to surgery, activity restrictions, and what supplies are necessary for post-operative recovery. Prescriptions are sent prior to surgery with instructions on their use. Finally, if medical clearance is required, a form detailing the necessary clearance and testing is provided to present to their primary care provider.
Day of Treatment
Patients are instructed to arrive at the office in comfortable clothes. The surgical plan is discussed with the patient in detail. Paperwork is completed. Photos are usually taken pre-operatively. Finally, the patient meets the surgical team, which may include nurses, anesthesiologists, and/or scrub technologists, depending on the procedure(s) and type of anesthesia used. A loose-fitted dressing is applied and small drains are placed in the neck during surgery.
Follow-Up Appointment
Patients follow up one (1) day after surgery to remove the dressing. The drains may also be removed one (1) day after surgery, depending on the drain output. Patients may follow up on day two (2) after surgery as well. Subsequent follow up appointments are approximately five (5), seven (7), and ten (10) days after surgery to remove sutures.
Social Readiness
The exact time in which patients feel ready to socialize depends on multiple factors, including their comfort with the visibility of incisions, bruises, and swelling. Makeup can be applied to the neck approximately ten (10) days after surgery. While they are still healing, most patients feel ready to socialize approximately fourteen (14) days after surgery.
Before & After
Explore our galleries to see the stunning, natural results Dr. Harmon delivers.
Ideal Candidates for a Neck Lift
Ideal candidates for a neck lift include those patients who demonstrate:
- Loose skin and muscle in the neck
- A blunted angle between the jawline and the neck
Most candidates range in age from forties (40s) to seventies (70s). A consultation is essential to determine candidacy for the procedure, because there may be factors that preclude this procedure for certain individuals. A consultation will help establish reasonable expectations about what a neck lift can and cannot accomplish as well as any anatomic and/or physiological factors that may influence your results. As with all facial plastic surgery procedures, results can vary.
What to Expect from Recovery
Recovery from a neck lift is specific to the individual. The duration of recovery will vary from person to person. The initial recovery time from a neck lift procedure is approximately 10 to 14 days for most individuals.
Dressings are removed the day after surgery. Sutures (stitches) are removed in a staged, progressive manner over the next 7 to 10 days after surgery. Makeup can usually be applied to the healing incision sites starting approximately 10 days after surgery. The healing process does not end at 14 days, however. For example, the incision continues to heal for months after surgery.
Some swelling and bruising are expected after a neck lift. Post-operative swelling and bruising generally improve significantly by 10 to 14 days after surgery. Swelling and bruising are expected to continue to improve and resolve in the ensuing days and weeks.
Sutures are removed in stages
Swelling and bruising are improved
Initial recovery
Makeup can be applied to incisions
Benefits of a Neck Lift
A neck lift helps address many features of age-related changes to the neck. The potential benefits of a neck lift include:
- A reduction in the loose, hanging tissue in the neck
- An improvement in the definition of the angle between the jawline and the neck
Risks of a Neck Lift
The potential risks of a neck lift include, but are not limited to:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Skin color changes
- Nerve damage
- Abnormal scarring
Combine a Neck Lift with Other Facial Enhancements
A neck lift complements other surgical and non-surgical procedures well. Procedures that complement a neck lift procedure include, but are not limited to:
Deep plane facelift
Combining a neck lift with a deep plane facelift may offer a more comprehensive lower face and neck rejuvenation. Together, they can help restore youthful contours from the jawline to the collarbone for seamless, natural-looking definition.
Brow lift
While a neck lift may refine the lower face, a brow lift can elevate the upper third, opening the eyes and smoothing forehead lines. The combination supports the appearance of a more balanced profile from top to bottom.
Blepharoplasty
Eyelid surgery helps enhance the eye area, and when combined with a neck lift, it supports a more complete facial rejuvenation. Together, they offer a more comprehensive approach to addressing two of the most expressive and age-revealing areas, the eyes and neck.
Rhinoplasty
A refined neck and jawline can accentuate the elegance of the nose. When performed together, rhinoplasty and neck lift surgery may enhance overall facial proportions for a more polished appearance.
Fillers
After a neck lift restores youthful definition, fillers may subtly sculpt areas like the chin, cheeks, or jawline to enhance symmetry and refine transitions.
Botox<sup>©</sup>
Neuromodulators can relax muscle activity that contributes to vertical neck bands or jawline heaviness. When used alongside a neck lift, they help refine facial expressions for a smoother finish.
Read More About Neck Lift
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What is the Difference Between a Deep Plane Facelift and an Extended Deep Plane Facelift?
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FAQ
What type of anesthesia is required?
The neck lift can usually be performed under IV sedation. Some individuals may require general anesthesia.
Is every neck lift the same?
No, the approach taken to the neck by Dr. Harmon differs depending on the aesthetic concerns of each individual, their anatomy, and the age-related changes to their anatomy.
Is liposuction performed on my neck during a neck lift?
Liposuction is rarely needed during a neck lift. Fat is directly visualized and removed during a neck lift. This allows more precise contouring of the neck and improved healing of the neck. This is because an thin, even layer of fat can be kept on the underside of the skin in order to reduce the risk of scarring.
Can a neck lift create a neck profile different than the profile of my youth?
A neck lift can tighten loose muscle and skin and reduce the amount of fat in the neck. The goal of a neck lift is to bring the cervicomental angle of the neck closer to that of youth. The cervicomental angle is the angle between the more horizontal border of the lower jaw and the soft tissue below the jaw and floor of the mouth and the more vertical anterior border of the neck. The cervicomental angle tends to flatten and become more obtuse as we age due to loosening of muscle and skin and the accumulation of fat in the neck. A youthful appearing cervicomental angle is more acute. However, the cervicomental angle of youth is determined by multiple anatomic factors and may be more obtuse from birth. Therefore, while a neck lift can significantly improve the appearance of the neck, a more obtuse cervicomental angle would prevent the creation of a sharp, acute angle with a neck lift.
Is a neck lift a common surgical procedure?
Yes, a neck lift is a common surgical procedure. The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) releases statistics each year that provide insight into the state of plastic surgery around the world. ISAPS reported 22,947 neck lift surgical procedures were performed in the United States in 2020.
Can a neck lift be performed without the extended deep plane facelift?
The face and neck are considered one anatomic unit because the anatomical structures blend together. Therefore, a facelift is almost never performed without a neck lift. The approach to the neck lift does depend on each individual's specific anatomy.
Is the neck lift a "deep plane" lift like the extended deep plane facelift?
Yes, Dr. Harmon applies the same surgical advancements from the extended deep plane facelift to the neck lift. The neck lift is performed in the deep plane, releasing tension points in the neck and lifting and tightening both skin and muscle to provide a more natural and longer-lasting result than other neck lift techniques.
Can a neck lift treat the deep, horizontal wrinkles I notice in my neck?
A neck lift can treat the loose skin and vertical bands of muscle under the skin caused by loosening of the platysma muscle around the neck. However, a neck lift generally cannot treat the horizontal wrinkles that some individuals develop as they age.
Will I feel "tight" after a neck lift?
It is normal to feel some tightness around the neck after a neck lift. This is due to the procedure necessarily lifting and tightening loose skin and muscle. This sensation gradually improves over days to weeks.
Is the neck lift a painful procedure?
Facial plastic surgery procedures are generally well-tolerated by patients and typically involve little pain, especially when compared with surgery on other areas of the body. Patients are usually prescribed just a small amount of pain medication for after surgery. In fact, we have found most use only over-the-counter pain medication including acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen after surgery instead. And those who do use the prescribed pain medication usually only use it the first night after surgery. With that in mind, it is important to note that every patient perceives and processes pain differently. Some patients have a high pain tolerance. Others may be more predisposed to be more sensitive to pain. We at Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery are focused on balancing minimizing post-operative discomfort and maximizing safety.
Written by Dr. Harmon
Discover the expertise and compassionate care of Dr. Jeff Harmon, a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon deeply rooted in the Cincinnati community. A former collegiate athlete and Cornell University graduate, Dr. Harmon brings discipline, precision, and a global perspective to his surgical practice—refined through elite fellowship training in New York City.
Located in Hyde Park, Harmon Facial Plastic Surgery proudly serves patients throughout the Cincinnati area offering personalized facial aesthetics with world-class skill and a hometown heart.