Neck lift or facelift? Which one is right for me?
As we age, wrinkles, fat deposits, and sagging skin in the face and neck area can become apparent. These signs of age can cause us to look older than we are or than we feel. In some cases, the neck may age before the face, diminishing our youthful appearance sooner than it should.
How can you tell which procedure is the most beneficial for your unique concerns, a neck lift or facelift? Let’s compare the two.
FACELIFT
- What is it?
There are a number of different types of facelifts that can be performed to address facial concerns. All facelifts elevate the skin and tighten the underlying tissues and muscles. It may include lifting some of the skin of the neck as well.
- What does it address and how?
Through incisions behind the ears, fat in the face and neck may be sculpted, removed or redistributed to provide volume where it is wanted and to reduce extra weight where it isn’t, resulting in a newly contoured, firmer, smoother face that looks more like the you you were years ago.
- Recovery time
After a facelift, patients can usually return to work in about 1-2 weeks. It will take 3-4 weeks before they can resume exercise or strenuous activity.
- Results
Rejuvenated, lifted facial skin, sculpted features, including the jawline and cheekbones, and a natural-looking, youthful appearance.
NECK LIFT
- What is it?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that tightens and removes sagging skin in the neck, jawline, and under the chin. It does not address the face.
- What does it address and how?
Through incisions around and behind the ears, a neck lift addresses wrinkling of the neck skin, a double chin or “turkey wattle,” and jowl lines. This procedure creates a firmer neck contour and a more youthful appearance by reducing fat deposits in the neck and lifting the skin, then trimming away excess skin to create a tight, smooth appearance.
- Recovery time
After a neck lift, it takes about two weeks to return to work, and several weeks for the swelling to fully subside.
- Results
A smoother, tighter neck contour and jawline that better matches your more youthful-looking face.
WHICH IS RIGHT FOR ME?
The best way to determine which procedure is right for you, a neck lift or a facelift, is during a detailed consultation. Your skin, neck, and face will be carefully examined and assessed, and your aesthetic concerns and goals will be discussed. From there, a treatment plan and recommendation will help you know which procedure is best. As a general rule, if your face looks younger than your neck, which is sagging or otherwise aging, a neck lift alone is likely your best option. If your face is showing signs of age, such as hollows in the cheeks, or a sagging jawline, a facelift is likely best for you.
