Benefits of Neck Lift

Neck lift targets excess fat, loose skin and wrinkles on the neck, chin and even along the jawline. It is often performed in conjunction with facelift, ensuring that the texture, tone and muscle integrity of the neck matches the newly rejuvenated facial appearance.

Below, experienced Albany plastic surgeon Dr. Sanjiv Kayastha explores surgical and noninvasive solutions available to patients, and outlines when each is appropriate.

Smooth Skin, Graceful Contours

Patients choose neck lift to restore a youthful appearance to the neck, tighten skin, smooth folds, eliminate visible muscle bands, add a sleek new look to the jawline and address the dreaded “turkey wattle” by removing loose skin under the chin.

If you were born with skin that lacks flexibility and resilience, you may develop neck skin that sags, creates folds, or hangs loosely. This is especially true in the case of patients who have lost a great deal of weight: Skin that lacks suppleness will not shrink sufficiently to conform to the reduced volume of a slimmer neck.

Skin, Fat and Muscle

Neck lift may involve liposuction, cervicoplasty or platysmaplasty. Liposuction removes fat, cervicoplasty eliminates excess skin and platysmaplasty goes even deeper by tightening or excising neck muscles.

For liposuction, a small incision is made below the chin, and fat is suctioned out through a thin, hollow tube. With cervicoplasty, skin is cut and lifted after incisions are made under the chin and behind the ears. The skin is permanently held taut with special sutures.

Platysmaplasty is indicated when sagging neck muscles create a “banded” appearance. During this surgery, Dr. Kayastha will tighten, realign and sometimes remove a portion of the particular neck muscles that have lost integrity. As with cervicoplasty, permanent sutures will keep the muscles taut and smooth.

Noninvasive Options

There are several popular non-surgical techniques used in place of neck lift such as CoolSculpting, Kybella and fractional laser resurfacing, high-frequency ultrasound and targeted radiofrequency. Dr Barach has not been impressed with how well or how consistent results have been with these modalities compared with surgery, especially when you consider their cost.

To learn more about neck lift and non-surgical alternatives, we invite you to schedule an appointment by contacting Dr. Kayastha’s Albany practice today.