Facelift or Neck Lift: A Guide to Choosing the Right Procedure
As we age, our skin progressively loses its elasticity. The smile lines around our mouths deepen, the jaw line becomes less defined, and the eyelids gather loose folds. Smoking, alcohol, and other lifestyle factors can exacerbate these changes.
Fully restoring a youthful facial appearance, particularly in areas like the lower face or neck, often requires more than creams or serums. For noticeable and lasting results, surgical options are usually the most effective. These include a facelift and a neck lift, which, though sometimes confused, are designed to rejuvenate different areas of the face and neck.
Below, we compare facelift vs neck lift, looking at the benefits, differences, and definitions of each to determine which one is the best choice for you.
Table of Contents
What is a Facelift?
When people compare a facelift to a neck lift, they’re typically referring to a lower facelift. This procedure corrects jowls and wrinkles in the mid to lower face, involving the removal of excess skin. An incision is made from the front of the ear and around the hairline, and another is made under the chin. The skin is then pulled tight, reducing any fine lines or crepey skin.
Alongside skin removal, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is repositioned to create a fuller, more youthful face.
In a full facelift, sagging skin in the upper face and midface are also targeted. The underlying fat tissue and muscle can be put back to their original position.
Key Benefits
- Restoring the normal contours of the face and the elimination of fine lines and wrinkles creates a more youthful appearance.
- Surgery is a permanent corrective procedure. The removal of skin and underlying tissue correction leads to long-lasting changes in your appearance.
- People who undergo a facelift report being more confident and happier with life.
- The procedure targets the cheeks, jawline, and midface, restoring definition and improving the natural contours of your facial structure.
Target Areas
- Midface and Cheek Contours – Lifting and restoring youthful volume.
- Jawline Definition – Minimising jowls and enhancing contour.
- Neck – Tightening loose skin and reducing the appearance of a “turkey neck.”
- Nasolabial Folds – Softening pronounced lines between the nose and mouth.
- Marionette Lines – Diminishing lines extending from the mouth corners to the chin.
What is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is in some ways similar to a lower facelift. However, this surgical procedure targets the excess loose skin in the neck and chin (also known as ‘turkey neck’). The surgeon can either focus on removing just excess skin, or it can be combined with changes to the SMAS, e.g., repositioning the platysma muscles and other underlying tissues. The former procedure improves the contours and reduces wrinkles, whereas the latter procedure also increases the definition and youthful structure of the face.
It’s perfect for people with a double chin, crepey neck skin, or undefined jawline. Sometimes, the procedure is combined with liposuction to remove any excess fat from the area.
Key Benefits
- The primary focus is on creating a more defined jawline, minimising jowls or excess fat to provide a sharper, more sculpted look.
- Unlike other forms of plastic surgery, the removal of skin and repositioning of underlying tissues results in a natural-looking appearance.
- Adjusting the muscles addresses visible platysmal bands for a youthful neck contour.
- People report feeling less self-conscious and more outgoing due to reduced concerns about their appearance.
Target Areas
- Excess Skin – Tightening loose, sagging skin for a smoother appearance.
- Platysmal Bands – Reducing visible neck bands for a more toned look.
- Fat Deposits – Eliminating excess fat under the chin and along the jawline.
- Jawline Contour – Enhancing definition and reducing jowls.
- Neckline – Refining the overall shape and contour of the neck.
Key Differences Between a Facelift and Neck Lift
Facelifts and neck lifts are often thought of as similar procedures, and they do share some overlap. Both address signs of aging around the jawline and involve removing excess skin while repositioning fat and muscles. However, facelifts are typically more comprehensive and invasive, delivering more dramatic rejuvenation. On the other hand, neck lifts are highly effective for individuals focused on tightening loose or sagging skin in the neck area.
Let’s take a quick look at the main differences:
Aspect | Facelift | Neck Lift |
|---|---|---|
Areas Treated | Midface, cheeks, jawline, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines | Neck, jawline, under-chin area, and platysmal bands |
Typical Results | Rejuvenated facial contours, smoother skin, and reduced appearance of wrinkles | Firmer, smoother neck with reduced sagging, improved jawline definition, and diminished neck bands |
Recovery Time | 2–4 weeks for swelling and bruising to subside; final results visible in 2–3 months | 1–2 weeks for swelling and bruising; final results visible in 1–2 months |
Ideal Candidates | Individuals experiencing sagging skin, wrinkles, and volume loss in the face due to ageing | Individuals with loose or sagging neck skin, visible neck bands, or excess fat under the chin |
Can a Facelift and Neck Lift Be Combined?
Yes, combining a facelift and neck lift is often a suitable option for patients with multiple areas of concern. For individuals experiencing significant sagging or loose skin in both the face and neck, pronounced wrinkles, and a loss of facial volume, this combined approach can deliver comprehensive rejuvenation.
However, because this is a more extensive and invasive procedure, the concerns in both areas must be substantial enough to warrant it. The decision should carefully weigh the benefits of comprehensive improvement against the need for a more targeted approach.
Schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon at Interplast Clinic to determine the most appropriate plan for your specific needs. Your surgeon will provide guidance on the risks, benefits, and expected outcomes of combining these procedures, helping you achieve the best possible results tailored to your goals.