What Is A Neck Lift?

You may be a good candidate for a neck lift if you are experiencing sagging skin, muscle banding, or excess fat deposits in the neck area that contribute to an aged or heavy appearance. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh emphasizes that individuals with specific anatomical traits, such as a recessed chin or unfavorable neck contours, may benefit from this procedure even at a younger age. A neck lift can be performed as a stand-alone surgery or in combination with procedures like a deep plane facelift, fat grafting or chin augmentation to achieve a more balanced, rejuvenated look. 

Recovery after a neck lift typically involves a few weeks of rest and care. You may experience swelling, bruising, and tightness, gradually subsiding over time. Dr. Azizzadeh recommends following his specific post-operative instructions (above) to ensure optimal healing, including wearing any prescribed supportive garments and avoiding strenuous activities during the initial healing period. Most patients can return to light activities within two weeks, with full recovery expected in a few months. Every individual has a different healing process. 

Safety is Dr. Azizzadeh’s number one priority. Like any surgical procedure, a neck lift carries some risks. Dr. Azizzadeh carefully evaluates each patient’s health to minimize potential complications, including infection, scarring, nerve injury, or asymmetry. If your salivary glands are modified, there is a risk of dry mouth which typically resolves in a few days.  Adhering to pre- and post-operative guidelines can reduce these risks, and Dr. Azizzadeh’s expertise in facial nerve anatomy helps ensure a safe and successful outcome. 

Neck lift and deep plane facelift results are generally long-lasting; however, the natural aging process will continue. In our experience, individuals who undergo neck and facial procedures at a younger age, when skin elasticity is greater, often enjoy longer-lasting results compared to those with diminished skin elasticity. The longevity of results is also influenced by the surgical technique (most critical) and post-operative “aesthetic maintenance.” Dr. Azizzadeh emphasizes the importance of post-operative aesthetic care, including the use of high-quality skincare products and energy-based devices such as biostimulators, radiofrequency microneedling—specifically, Sylfirm X® and Morpheus8®—as well as laser resurfacing treatments to promote healthy, youthful-looking skin. Additionally, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper hydration, nutrition, and protection from sun damage, can significantly enhance and prolong the longevity of your results. 

The cost of a neck lift varies based on factors such as surgical complexity, surgeon’s expertise, anesthesia fees, and facility costs. Neck lifts are generally considered cosmetic procedures and are not covered by insurance. 

Dr. Azizzadeh strategically places incisions to minimize visible scarring. Incisions are typically hidden under the chin and heal well over time. If an endoscopic or deep plane facelift is performed, incisions may occur along the hairline and around the ears. Dr. Azizzadeh’s meticulous surgical technique ensures that scars are as inconspicuous as possible, blending naturally with your skin and hairline. 

Yes, combining a neck lift with other procedures is common to achieve a comprehensive rejuvenation. Dr. Azizzadeh may recommend pairing a neck lift with a deep plane facelift, buccal fat pad repositioning, chin augmentation, or fat grafting for balanced results. This approach enhances both the neck and overall facial contours, creating a more youthful and harmonious appearance. 

A neck lift provides transformative and long-lasting results by addressing multiple key areas of concern, including excess skin, submandibular gland positioning, muscle banding, and fat deposits that contribute to an aged or less defined neck contour. This surgical approach offers comprehensive tightening and rejuvenation, creating a smoother, more youthful neck profile with dramatic results. 

For those seeking less invasive options, non-surgical treatments can offer more subtle enhancements with little to no downtime. Options include radiofrequency microneedling devices such as SylfirmX™ and Morpheus8™, which use energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. Cryolipolysis (fat freezing) targets and reduces fat deposits, while Kybella® injections dissolve submental fat for improved contouring. Additionally, botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox®) can help relax neck bands and reduce fine lines. While effective for certain concerns, these non-surgical treatments generally cannot match the degree of tightening and contouring achieved through a surgical neck lift. Dr. Azizzadeh customizes each treatment plan based on your unique goals, anatomy, and preferences to deliver the best possible results. 

Selecting the right surgeon for a neck lift is essential for achieving exceptional, natural-looking results. Dr. Babak Azizzadeh brings over 20 years of expertise in neck lift and contouring, focusing on complex structures like the submandibular glands, fat compartments, hyoid bone, and platysma. As lead editor of “Master Techniques in Facial Rejuvenation,” he combines surgical skill with extensive teaching and contributions to the field, earning recognition from major outlets like Oprah and The New York Times. 

Dr. Azizzadeh’s patient-centered care, precision, and artistry ensure tailored, natural outcomes without an “overdone” look. He collaborates closely with each patient to create a customized plan, prioritizing safety and personalized results. His expertise extends to complex and revision neck lifts, making him a top choice for outstanding results. 

While submental liposuction and non-invasive procedures such as deoxycholic acid injections (commonly branded as Kybella®) or cryolipolysis treatments like CoolSculpting® have traditionally been viewed as first-line treatments for addressing a “double chin,” recent insights have highlighted potential drawbacks and limitations of these approaches. These limitations can include uneven results or limited effectiveness in individuals with significant fullness under the chin, often necessitating more comprehensive solutions. The underlying issue with a double chin and heavy necks often extends beyond surface fat, involving deeper fat compartments beneath the muscles, unfavorable anatomy such as sagging submandibular salivary glands, a recessed chin, or a low-set hyoid bone. As a result, simply removing superficial fat through liposuction or non-invasive treatments may not achieve the desired contour and can even exacerbate underlying structural issues. Additionally, excessive or aggressive liposuction can lead to undesirable outcomes, such as visible underlying muscles and compromised skin quality, which can negatively impact both current aesthetics and future surgical options. To address these complexities, Dr. Azizzadeh emphasizes a thoughtful and individualized approach to isolated neck lifts, sometimes combined with other facial procedures, to ensure optimal, natural-looking outcomes that truly address the underlying causes of a double chin. 

During your consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, he will evaluate your facial and neck anatomy, discuss your anti-aging goals, and provide tailored recommendations for both surgical and non-surgical options. You will receive a detailed overview of what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, ensuring you have realistic expectations and a personalized treatment plan. 

A neck lift performed by Dr. Azizzadeh utilizes a comprehensive approach to rejuvenate and redefine the neck’s appearance. The process begins with a personalized surgical plan based on each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. Dr. Azizzadeh works closely with an anesthesiologist to ensure maximum comfort and safety, selecting the most appropriate anesthesia type, whether general anesthesia or sedation, based on patient needs and procedure complexity. He skillfully addresses fat compartments through targeted removal to achieve a contoured profile and may adjust or refine the submandibular glands for a smoother, more refined neckline. The underlying platysma muscle is also tightened and sculpted to create a firmer, youthful appearance. 

For a balanced, comprehensive rejuvenation, Dr. Azizzadeh often complements neck lifts with procedures such as deep plane facelifts, fat grafting, or chin augmentation. This integrated approach ensures the neck harmonizes seamlessly with the overall facial contours, delivering natural-looking and aesthetically pleasing results. His meticulous techniques and precise incisions prioritize patient safety, minimizing risks and promoting optimal healing for long-lasting, beautiful outcomes. 

A deep neck lift (“deep neck contouring”) represents a more comprehensive approach to neck rejuvenation than traditional neck lift techniques. This advanced procedure targets deeper anatomical structures of the neck, resulting in more significant and long-lasting improvements. Unlike traditional neck lifts, which primarily address surface-level concerns such as excess skin and superficial fat, a deep neck lift focuses on the underlying muscular, glandular, and fat components contributing to neck aesthetics. 

For some patients, especially younger individuals, deep neck contouring may not solely be about addressing aging concerns. Instead, it can be aimed at creating a beautifully defined and aesthetically pleasing “snatched” neck. Certain patients may be born with a recessed chin and neck bone structure, as well as excessive deeper fat accumulation and submandibular glands that are positioned lower. For these patients, deep neck contouring is comparable to performing rhinoplasty for someone with a crooked nose or prominent dorsal hump—it’s about enhancing structural harmony and achieving a balanced, attractive appearance. 

One key aspect of a deep neck lift is tightening and repositioning the platysma muscle. This muscle can separate or sag with age, leading to visible neck banding. By addressing the platysma, surgeons create a smoother, more refined neck contour. Additionally, submandibular gland management is often performed to address glands that may be lower positioned, enlarged, or contribute to fullness in the upper neck. Properly reducing or repositioning these glands can enhance jawline definition, contributing to a more sculpted neck and facial profile. 

Deep fat contouring is another critical element of the deep neck lift. Sculpting the deeper fat layers of the neck allows for more dramatic improvements in contour and profile, achieving a more refined and aesthetically pleasing appearance that goes beyond what surface-level treatments can offer. 

Dr. Azizzadeh employs these advanced deep neck lift techniques to provide comprehensive and lasting results tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy and aesthetic goals. His approach involves a meticulous assessment of the patient’s neck structure, bone position, and overall proportions, allowing him to create a customized treatment plan. By utilizing deep neck lift techniques and focusing on muscle, glandular, and fat sculpting, Dr. Azizzadeh achieves natural-looking, enduring outcomes that create beautifully defined neck and jawline contours. 

There is no specific ideal age for a neck lift; it depends on individual needs and aging signs. Dr. Azizzadeh often performs neck lifts on patients experiencing significant sagging or aging changes, which can occur in their 40s, 50s, or beyond. Younger individuals with specific anatomical concerns such as small chin, heavy neck and hanging submandibular gland may also benefit. A consultation helps determine the best timing for your unique goals. 

Twilight anesthesia, or conscious sedation, involves anesthetizing facial tissues with lidocaine (Novocaine) while administering sedatives and pain relievers without the need for a breathing tube. This keeps you relaxed and pain-free while remaining partially awake. In contrast, general anesthesia renders you completely asleep during the procedure, ensuring no awareness or pain. Both approaches are excellent options for facial plastic surgery when performed under the supervision of an experienced anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist. 

For a Neck Lift, we prioritize facial nerve monitoring and safety. General anesthesia is our preferred option as it eliminates the need for lidocaine injections, which can blunt the activity of nerves and muscles and potentially compromise nerve monitoring accuracy. This approach ensures optimal safety and precise outcomes during the surgery. 

A turkey neck is a condition in which the skin on the neck begins to sag and wrinkle. It often occurs when the neck muscles weaken, and the neck skin loses elasticity. In this instance, individuals can appear older than their actual age due to sagging or wrinkled skin in the neck and jawline. The neck lift surgery addresses loose neck skin, excess fatty deposits under the chin, excess fat in the lower face, and muscle banding in the neck. By doing so, a Neck Lift procedure restores the youthful contours in the neck and throat. This surgery not only smoothes excess skin on the neck, but it also removes fat deposits and tightens muscle laxity. By correcting the underlying muscle structures in addition to the outer skin layer, a Neck Lift provides patients with a more youthful neckline. Dr. Azizzadeh will make incisions either behind the ears or under the chin.   

A neck lift and a liposuction procedure, while both targeting the neck area, differ significantly in their scope, goals, and effectiveness. A neck lift is a comprehensive surgical procedure designed to rejuvenate and redefine the neck and jawline by addressing excess skin, tightening the underlying platysma muscle, and removing or repositioning deeper structures, such as fat or sagging submandibular glands. This approach offers a holistic transformation by sculpting both superficial and deeper anatomical layers, resulting in a smoother, firmer, and more youthful neck contour. In contrast, submental liposuction focuses solely on removing superficial fat beneath the chin. While it can be beneficial for patients with good skin elasticity and no underlying anatomical concerns, liposuction’s effectiveness is inherently limited when structural issues, such as deep fat compartments, low-set hyoid bones, recessed chins, or sagging muscles and glands, are the root cause of neck fullness. 

Submental liposuction is often not the ideal choice for patients with significant neck fullness or structural imbalances, as simply removing superficial fat can exacerbate the appearance of underlying issues. For example, addressing sagging platysma muscles, submandibular glands, or deep fat compartments is necessary for liposuction to produce smooth results. Furthermore, over-aggressive liposuction can lead to visible muscle contours and compromised skin quality, limiting future surgical options and aesthetic outcomes. In cases where comprehensive reshaping is needed to achieve a defined and youthful neck contour, a neck lift offers a more strategic and tailored approach, addressing surface and deeper elements to ensure long-lasting and natural-looking results. 

The time required to complete neck lift surgery can vary greatly, as every procedure is tailored to each patient’s unique needs and anatomy. In some cases, Dr. Azizzadeh may perform a neck lift in approximately one to two hours. However, several hours may be required to achieve optimal results if a neck lift is performed with a deep plane facelift or other facial rejuvenation treatments. It is essential that your surgeon never rushes through the procedure but instead takes the necessary time to ensure the best possible outcome, prioritizing precision, artistry, and patient safety to deliver natural-looking and long-lasting results. 

When performed by an expert facial plastic surgeon like Dr. Azizzadeh, neck lift surgery prioritizes patient safety, precise technique, and individualized care. Dr. Azizzadeh’s unmatched expertise in facial anatomy and nerve preservation, combined with advanced monitoring and meticulous surgical planning, ensures the best possible outcomes while minimizing risks. Throughout each procedure, patient safety remains paramount, with special attention to preserving delicate structures and delivering natural-looking, long-lasting results. In the rare instances where revisions are necessary, Dr. Azizzadeh applies the same level of dedication and care to ensure successful outcomes and minimal risks. 

While the risks of neck lift surgery are minimized under expert care, it is important to be aware of potential complications. Hematomas, or blood collections under the skin, are one of the most common issues, occurring in approximately 5% of cases. If a hematoma develops, it may need to be promptly drained to prevent further complications. Other potential risks include asymmetrical facial appearance, persistent swelling, hair thinning or loss near incision sites, bleeding, scarring, and infection. In rare cases, some portions of the neck skin flap may not heal optimally, leading to an extended recovery period. 

Modifications to the salivary glands, if necessary, may result in temporary dry mouth. Additionally, a sialocele—a collection of saliva under the skin caused by disrupted salivary flow—can occasionally occur. While this may sound concerning, it is often treatable and typically resolves with conservative measures. To further support recovery and enhance skin health, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can be employed, promoting faster healing, reducing inflammation, and improving overall skin integrity if any issues arise. 

Dr. Azizzadeh’s commitment to patient-centered care, precision, and safety ensures that each neck lift procedure is thoughtfully tailored to address both surface and deeper structural elements for optimal results. 

Smoking, vaping and nicotine gums pose significant challenges to recovery after a neck lift procedure due to its detrimental effects on blood flow and tissue healing. Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing oxygen-rich blood supply to the surgical area, which is vital for effective healing. This vasoconstriction leads to delayed wound healing, a higher risk of infections, tissue necrosis, and suboptimal scar formation. Moreover, smoking affects collagen production and skin elasticity, potentially compromising the overall aesthetic result of the neck lift. For this reason, most plastic surgeons strongly advise patients to quit smoking at least 2-6 weeks before and after surgery to minimize complications and achieve optimal results. 

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can mitigate some of the adverse effects of smoking on healing and improve recovery outcomes. Additionally, for those undergoing combined procedures such as laser resurfacing with a neck lift, smoking can further impede healing by impairing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the treated areas, increasing the risk of scarring or uneven results. Ultimately, a commitment to abstaining from smoking is crucial to minimize surgical risks and ensure successful recovery and aesthetic outcomes. 

Yes, it is possible to have a neck lift without undergoing a deep plane facelift, particularly in younger patients who exhibit specific genetic anatomical traits, such as excess deep neck fat, a recessed chin, prominent salivary glands, or defined platysmal banding. These features can contribute to a less defined jawline or neck contour but are often unrelated to the generalized skin and muscle laxity typically caused by aging. Unlike age-related changes that commonly affect the eyes, midface, and neck simultaneously—often requiring a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation strategy—a targeted neck lift can effectively focus on reshaping and refining the neck area for patients with isolated concerns. This approach offers a more tailored solution.

Light activities like slow walking may be performed after the anesthesia wears off following a Neck Lift procedure. However, strenuous activities or exercise may increase a patient’s risk of bleeding, swelling, and bruising and should be avoided immediately following surgery. 

Typically, patients can resume yoga, cycling, running, and other heavy activities within three weeks of a Neck Lift. Individuals who play football or participate in other contact sports, can resume these activities within about four to six weeks of surgery. 

The time it takes for you to return to work after a neck lift procedure can vary. If your job does not involve heavy lifting or strenuous activity, you can typically return to work within ten to fourteen days. However, if your job requires more physically demanding tasks, you may need about three weeks of recovery before resuming work. Dr. Azizzadeh customizes each neck lift treatment plan, taking your recovery period into account. He carefully considers your job requirements and provides personalized recommendations for when you can safely resume work and other daily activities, ensuring an optimal recovery process tailored to your needs. 

You will notice an improvement in the contour and appearance of your neck within a few weeks following your neck lift, but the full results typically take about three to six months to become apparent. This is because it takes time for swelling to subside completely and for your tissues to adjust and settle into their final position. Dr. Azizzadeh tailors each neck lift procedure to your unique anatomy and aesthetic goals, providing a highly personalized approach to ensure optimal, natural-looking outcomes. During the recovery period, he carefully monitors your progress, offering guidance and support to enhance your healing process. Achieving the best results requires patience, as your neck continues to refine and reveal its enhanced contours over several months. 

Whether a deep plane facelift or a neck lift is better depends on your unique needs, anatomy, and aesthetic goals. A neck lift is often ideal for younger patients or those whose primary concerns are isolated to the neck area, such as excess fat, a recessed chin, or prominent salivary glands, without significant skin and muscle laxity elsewhere. In these cases, a targeted neck lift can effectively enhance neck contour without a more comprehensive approach. 

On the other hand, a deep plane facelift which always incorporates a neck lift is better suited for addressing age-related changes that affect the entire face, jawline, and neck. It repositions deeper layers of tissue for a more comprehensive and natural-looking rejuvenation, particularly beneficial for those experiencing sagging skin, jowls, or overall facial laxity. Dr. Azizzadeh customizes each procedure to your unique facial structure, collaborating closely with you to create a tailored treatment plan that aligns with your goals, ensuring the most natural and harmonious results possible. 

Patients may experience minor discomfort during Neck lift surgery. Dr. Azizzadeh ensures that his patients do not have severe pain during treatment. 

If a patient previously underwent a Neck Lift that failed to deliver the desired results, Dr. Azizzadeh can help. Dr. Azizzadeh has the skills and experience to safely treat a botched Neck Lift procedure. Before Dr. Azizzadeh treats a botched Neck Lift, he performs a thorough patient evaluation. This assessment allows Dr. Azizzadeh to learn about patients and examine their facial appearance. Then, if Dr. Azizzadeh determines he can correct a botched Neck Lift, he crafts a custom treatment plan.