Neck Lift Vs Lower Facelift – Plastic Surgeons Opinions

A lower face lift is always combined with a neck lift but the opposite is not necessarily true.

The incisions are almost the same, they go higher to the sideburns in a facelift. A lower facelift corrects the jowls while a neck lift tightens the neck skin and muscles and improve the neck profile. (Mohammed Alghoul, MD, Chicago Plastic Surgeon)

The difference between a lower facelift and necklift is probably minimal and in fact might be the same procedure with just different terminology.

The names of different lifts in the face and neck can be confusing as they expand but each patient needs to be evaluated to see what type of procedure would be best for them.

A Neck Lift, Or Lower Rhytidectomy

Although a lot of catchy names are out there dont be mislead by these but seek out advice from a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who has a lot of experience with facial cosmetic surgery. (G. Wesley Price, MD, Chevy Chase Plastic Surgeon)

Necklift versus lower facelift.

Surgeons differ as to precisely what these terms describe. Simply put, a necklift refers to a procedure that improves the appearance of the structures below the jawline while a lower facelift refers to the lower half of the face, above the jawline.

They are commonly performed together, to the point they may be inseparable. A necklift will often require an additional short incision beneath the chin. (Glynn Bolitho, PhD, MD, FACS, San Diego Plastic Surgeon)

I consider a necklift and a lower facelift to be the same thing. The incision is mostly behind the ear and fixes the neck and jowls only. In my office it is done under local anesthesia and takes 1 hour with great results. (Richard Galitz, MD, FACS, Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Loose Neck Skin

Neck lift and lower facelift to me are the same operation

I don’t quibble about the names but these should be the same operations.

They essentially achieve the following results:

  • Correction of fat in the neck under the chin
  • Elimination of Granny Bands or the vertical lines from the chin to the chest
  • Tightening of the skin so that the jawline is smooth
  • Elimination of jowl lines and lower marionette lines.

The incisions are similar to that of a facelift and will involve scars behind the ears. The surgeon should show you how much can be corrected with this technique and describe what your recovery time will be. It is usually shorter than the recovery from a full facelift. (Phillip C. Haeck, MD, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

Skin Relaxation In The Lower Face

Neck Lift versus facelift

A neck lift addresses sagging or banding in the neck. It is often effective as an isolated procedure in patients who are relatively young, have skin laxity in the neck, but do not have signs of jowling in the face.

Incisions are usually made underneath the chin and behind the ears so that they are well hidden. The platysma muscle (the sagging muscle in the neck) is tightened in the middle and anchored behind the ears in order to position it in its more natural, youthful position.

Excess skin is trimmed as well and the result can create a very refreshed, youthful appearance. A lower facelift is a bit more involved. The lower facelift addresses signs of aging in the lower third of the face, primarly being jowling.

A lower facelift and neck lift are done in combination more often than not. In my practice, I combine a facelift and a necklift about 75-80% of the time. When a lower facelift is done, the incisions are extended in front of the ear and the muscle layer (SMAS) in the face is elevated and anchored in its more youthful, natural position.

A Neck Lift May Be A Good Solution

Excess skin is trimmed which adds to the more refreshed appearance. (Todd C. Miller, MD, Newport Beach Facial Plastic Surgeon)

  1. Neck liposuction is an office procedure with laser liposuction and skin tightening.
  2. A neck lift refers to a surgical incision under the chin, tightening of the neck muscles, sometimes with removal of fat and/or contouring liposuction.
  3. A lower facelift, typically done in concert with a necklift, involves an incision around the ears and lifting of the lower face and jowls.
    (Hannah Vargas, MD, Kansas City Facial Plastic Surgeon)

What’s the difference between a lower face Lift and a neck lift?

A lower Face Lift rejuvenates the mid face while a Neck Lift rejuvenates the Neck area alone. Both, of these areas are typically included in a Formal or traditional full face and neck Lift. Smaller, less invasive face Lift variants typically concentrate on the lower face or mid face.

A Surgical Procedure That Improves Visible Signs Of Aging In The Jawline And Neck

To be clear there are three sections of the forehead and face. The upper region is the forehead and is rejuvenated with a Forehead or Brow Lift. The mid face region is rejuvenated using a lower Face Lift The Neck which is rejevenated with a Neck Lift and clears things up. (Francis R. Palmer, III, MD, Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon)

The techniques in facial rejuvenation and contouring surgery are variable. The important aspect is that the shape of the face and neck are restored, to enhance the frame of the face, improving the appearance of the eyes and mouth and rejuvenate the skin of the neck (the hardest area to make perfect).

To maintain harmony and acheive a great result- combination of procedures may need to be performed. (Trevor M. Born, MD, Toronto Plastic Surgeon)

There is no standard terminology but in my version, a neck lift is pretty rare and indicated for the person with fat and muscle laxity in the neck with good skin elasticity so the skin will shrink rather than needing to be removed.

Excess Fatty Deposits Under The Chin

As soon as the skin will not shrink well (90+% of folks) or if there is any gravitational descent in the cheeks, a lower facelift (cheek and neck lift) is indicated and the incisions grow from being just below the chin for the neck lift to including around the ear so the excess skin can be removed. (Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS, Seattle Plastic Surgeon)

A Neck lift involves tightening the neck. This may involve tightening of the muscles and removal of excess skin. A lower Facelift involves lifting the lower face which is the area between teh cheeks and the jawline.

This will improve sagging cheeks and jowls. You need to check specifically with your surgeon, but it is common in my practice for a lower facelift to also include a neck lift.

I do isolated necklifts, but this will only address the neck and not the jowls and lower cheeks. (Matthew Schulman, MD, New York Plastic Surgeon)

It depends on the terms your doctor is using and all of us may use different terms. Most patients have both procedures together. But a neck lift may refer only to incisions behind the ears or below the chin to only tighten the neck area, while a lower facelift incision is primarily in front of the ear (but can go around the earlobe) and is designed to tighten the lower face and jowl.

Neck Lift Scar

Again, the procedures are usually combined. (Lawrence Kass, MD, Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon)

Necklift and lower facelift are part and parcel of each other

Nature has created lower face and neck in continuity with each other. Thus they can not be seperated from each other. Necklift requires some overlap into lower face. Similarly lower facelift requires some overlap into neck.

Thus they are more or less identical operations. (Vasdev Rai, MD, Dallas Plastic Surgeon)

Necklift v. Lower Facelift

Before And After Lower Facelift And Neck Lift Photos

Both of these procedures address the lower third of the face including the chin, neck, and jowls. A neck lift specifically targets excess skin and fat that contributes to a “double chin” or “turkey waddle” appearance.

During neck lift surgery, neck muscles (platismal bands) are tightened and lifted to reduce sagging and if necessary, excess fat is removed through liposuction. A lower face lift addresses the chin and jowls as well, but it focuses on the mid to lower face to eliminate wrinkles and excess fat on the cheeks, jawline, and nasolabial folds.

Since these procedures target similar areas of the face, it is important to have an in-person consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to determine which procedure will best achieve your goals. (Fernando D. Burstein, MD, Atlanta Facial Plastic Surgeon)

The necklift addresses fat removal in the neck and a platysmaplasty to define the jawline. A facelift addresses all of the above plus lifting the jowls and tightening the muscles in the posterior portion of the neck. (William Portuese, MD, Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon)