Neck Lift
Body area: face
Overview
A neck lift improves visible signs of aging in the jawline and neck by removing excess skin, tightening the platysma muscle, and reducing submental fat deposits. It creates a more defined neck and cervicomental angle.
Who is it for?
Isolated neck lift is typically most appropriate for patients with neck laxity, fullness, or banding who do not yet have significant jowling or lower-face descent. Patients with significant jowling or midface aging may be better served by facelift-based approaches that address both the face and neck together, rather than isolated neck treatment.
Technique overview
Incisions are made behind the ears and sometimes under the chin. The platysma muscle is tightened (platysmaplasty), excess fat is removed via liposuction or direct excision, and redundant skin is excised and redraped.
What this procedure cannot do
A neck lift addresses the jawline, submental area, and front of the neck — it does not lift the midface, soften nasolabial folds, or reduce jowls beyond what's contiguous with the neck. Patients with significant lower-face descent or jowling should be counseled honestly that a facelift, with or without a neck component, will usually give a more balanced result than an isolated neck procedure. The surgery cannot improve the quality or texture of skin that has lost elasticity from sun damage, smoking, or significant weight loss; in those cases, results may not look as crisp and may not hold as long.
Scars and incisions
Most neck lifts use a small incision tucked into the natural crease under the chin (the submental crease) for platysma work and any liposuction, plus incisions behind each ear extending into the hairline if skin removal is needed. The submental scar is typically very inconspicuous once mature; the postauricular incisions are hidden by the ear and hair. Scars take 6–12 months to settle and can stay firm or pink for several months in the meantime.
Recovery
Most patients return to normal activities within 2 weeks. A chin strap or compression garment is worn for 1 to 2 weeks. Swelling subsides within 3 to 4 weeks.
Longevity of results
A well-performed neck lift typically lasts 7–10 years before subtle laxity reappears, with the underlying platysma repair often holding longer than the skin envelope. Submental fat that's removed via liposuction does not regenerate, so that improvement is essentially permanent — but weight gain and ongoing aging will still affect the overall neck appearance over time.
Typical price range
$6,000 - $18,000
Common goals
- Eliminate turkey neck and platysmal banding
- Define the jawline and cervicomental angle
- Remove submental fat
- Tighten loose neck skin
Risks
- Nerve injury
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Scarring
- Skin irregularities
- Asymmetry
How to choose a surgeon
Look for a surgeon board-certified by the ABPS or ABFPRS who performs neck and facelift surgery as a core part of their practice. Ask whether they prefer to manage the platysma with corset platysmaplasty, midline plication, or selective release, and how they decide when liposuction alone is sufficient versus when an open neck lift is needed. Be cautious of practices marketing thread lifts or single-session devices as equivalent to a surgical neck lift — they are different procedures with different durability.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a full facelift, or is an isolated neck lift enough?
If your concern is limited to neck laxity, submental fullness, or platysmal banding without significant jowling or midface descent, an isolated neck lift can be a good fit. If you also have jowls or deepening nasolabial folds, addressing the neck alone may create a mismatch between the rejuvenated neck and the older-looking lower face. An honest in-person assessment is the only way to decide.
Can liposuction or non-surgical treatments do the same thing?
Submental liposuction or fat-dissolving injections (deoxycholic acid) can reduce fat in the right candidate but do not tighten muscle bands or remove skin. Devices that use radiofrequency or ultrasound to tighten skin can give modest improvement in patients with mild laxity but do not match a surgical neck lift. The right tool depends on what's actually causing the appearance you want to change — fat, muscle, skin, or a combination.
Will my platysmal bands come back?
Properly performed platysmaplasty (suturing the muscle edges in the midline) is durable but not immortal. A small percentage of patients see partial recurrence over years, and rarely a touch-up is offered. Smoking, weight changes, and significant continued aging are the most common contributors.
How long do I need to wear the chin strap?
Most surgeons ask patients to wear a soft chin strap or compression garment most of the day for the first 1–2 weeks, then nights only for another week or two. Practices vary — your surgeon's protocol is what matters. The garment helps swelling resolve and supports the freshly tightened tissue during healing.
Editorial disclaimer: This page is educational content reviewed by the MDcontour editorial team. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a board-certified plastic surgeon about your individual situation.