What You Need to Know Before Getting a Neck Lift
A neck lift, also known as a "lower rhytidectomy," helps rejuvenate the skin around the neck, jawline and throat. It enables an individual to minimize and smooth excess skin on the neck as well as reduce fat deposits and tightens lax muscles. As a result, a neck lift will give an individual a more youthful neckline for years to come.
Although a neck lift represents a terrific plastic surgery for many individuals, a neck lift is not for everyone. Therefore, it is important to plan ahead for a neck lift and establish realistic expectations before undergoing treatment.
To better understand a neck lift and its benefits, let's consider three of the most common questions associated with this plastic surgery.
- Am I a viable candidate for a neck lift?
The ideal candidate for a neck lift may display one or more of the following issues:
- Fat deposits: Over time, fat may form under the chin and around the jowls.
- Muscle laxity: Neck muscles may lose their strength and structure as a person grows older.
- Skin laxity: The skin on the neck can sag and droop, resulting in an aged appearance.
- Sub-muscular laxity: Tissues beneath the muscles may sag and droop, causing loose, excess skin to become visible.
Dr. Babak Azizzadeh of the CENTER for Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery is a globally recognized facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He can correct the loss of youthful contours in the neck and help an individual evaluate all aspects of a neck lift treatment.
- How is a neck lift performed?
There is no such thing as a standard neck lift treatment, according to Dr. Azizzadeh. As such, Dr. Azizzadeh will perform an in-depth patient consultation to learn about an individual's neck lift treatment goals and outline all steps of a neck lift procedure.
Dr. Azizzadeh customizes the neck lift technique to the needs of the patient. This can include a platysmaplasty, which tightens the underlying muscles of the neck, or if excess loose skin is more of the issue, Dr. Azizzadeh can simply address that. In most cases both approaches are utilized.
Ultimately, Dr. Azizzadeh wants neck lift patients to maintain their natural beauty. To achieve this goal, Dr. Azizzadeh will provide personalized neck lift treatment recommendations to ensure neck lift patients can enjoy the ideal treatment results.
- What should I expect after a neck lift is completed?
The skin around the neck, jawline and throat may temporarily feel tight and/or numb following a neck lift. This feeling typically lasts for just a few days and will disappear on its own.
In addition, an individual should expect some swelling and bruising of the neck skin. These symptoms may persist for about two to three weeks after neck lift surgery.
The final results of a neck lift will become evident after about six weeks. At this time, an individual should notice a revitalized neckline that matches the facial features perfectly.
Dr. Azizzadeh will provide comprehensive details about the neck lift healing process. With this information, a patient can ensure a smooth, comfortable treatment recovery.
To learn more about the ins and outs of neck lift treatments, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh today.
4 Issues a Neck Lift Can Address
A neck lift enables an individual to enhance the appearance of the neck, jowls and submental fat. It allows a person to eliminate and smooth excess skin on the neck and creates a more define jawline.
With a neck lift, an individual can enjoy a more youthful neckline. The key issues that a neck lift can address include:
- Fat Deposits and Buildup: As an individual ages, fat may form under the chin and around the jowls. However, a neck lift enables a person to remove fat deposits and buildup.
- Skin Laxity: A neck lift helps a person minimize the appearance of sagging and drooping skin on the neck that otherwise may make a person appear older.
- Muscle Laxity: Over time, the muscles on the sides of the neck will lose their elasticity and structures. A neck lift allows a person to tighten the skin along the neck to bolster skin elasticity.
- Sub-Muscular Laxity: Tissues underneath the neck muscles may droop or sag, resulting in excess skin on the neck. A neck lift provides an effective treatment to minimize sub-muscular laxity.
To determine whether an individual is a good candidate for a neck lift, he or she should consult with an experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Babak Azizzadeh. By doing so, a person can find out how a neck lift is performed, learn about the procedure's benefits and much more.
Ultimately, there are many factors for an individual to consider before he or she undergoes a neck lift procedure, including:
- Self-Confidence: It is paramount for an individual to feel good about himself or herself before neck lift surgery. Although a neck lift procedure helps an individual alter his or her appearance, a person should never choose a neck lift solely to boost his or her self-confidence.
- Health: Good health is essential to undergo any cosmetic surgery. A facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon will review an individual's health history before a neck lift and develop a treatment plan that caters to an individual's health.
- Expectations: A neck lift has been shown to help individuals in many ways, and a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon will help a person establish realistic expectations before the procedure. A facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon will help an individual set cosmetic and emotional expectations for a neck lift and respond to his or her surgery concerns and questions prior to treatment.
Furthermore, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon may use one of the following neck lift techniques:
- Skin-SMAS-Platysma Lift: Involves lifting and tightening skin on the neck and throat to provide a more toned appearance.
- Platysmaplasty: Tightens the platysma muscles, i.e. the underlying muscles in the neck, to reduce the appearance of bands in the neck.
Each neck lift surgery is different, and a consultation with a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon will help an individual determine whether the procedure is the right choice. A consultation will enable a person to learn about all aspects of neck lift surgery and ensure that the procedure can help this individual achieve his or her desired results.