Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions About the Neck Lift

Although most people pay close attention to their facial appearance, the neck is often overlooked when it comes to practicing good skin care. For example, we often forget to apply sunscreen or moisturizer to this delicate area, and it’s rarely the target of rejuvenating treatments that restore a healthy tone and texture. Since the neck is just as vulnerable to the effects of time, gravity and sun damage, this can cause it to age faster than other areas of the body. Over time, the neck may become loose and wrinkled, creating an unbalanced look that clashes with more youthful facial contours.

Fortunately, a neck lift can tighten the area below the jawline to combat the signs of aging. At Younger Facial Surgery Centre in Vancouver, Dr. Ritchie Younger can help you achieve a smoother, well-defined neck that rejuvenates your overall appearance. As one of Canada’s leading facial plastic surgeons, he draws on over 30 years of experience, extensive technical skill and exceptional artistry to deliver stunning results. Each neck lift is tailored to patients’ exact needs, so you can feel confident that your procedure will complement and enhance your natural features without drastically changing what makes you uniquely you.

Keep reading more to learn more about neck lift surgery as we answer your top five most frequently asked questions about this rejuvenating procedure.

  1. What Does a Neck Lift Do?

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that addresses the signs of aging in the neck, chin and jawline. Also sometimes called a lower rhytidectomy, a neck lift rejuvenates your appearance by tightening the skin, eliminating sagging and smoothing out lines or creases. This procedure can correct a number of common concerns in this area, including:

  • The appearance of jowls
  • Loss of volume and definition
  • An unflattering “turkey wattle”
  • Lines, wrinkles and creases
  • Loose, excess skin
  • Submental fat beneath the chin (double chin)

If you’re bothered by these or other signs of aging and want to restore a more youthful appearance below the jawline, Dr. Ritchie Younger can perform a neck lift to help you achieve your desired goals. This is accomplished by trimming loose skin and tightening the underlying tissues to sculpt smoother, tighter contours that refresh your entire facial aesthetic. For the best results, it’s recommended that patients come in at a healthy weight to maximize the degree of improvement that can be achieved. Otherwise, the skin-tightening effects of this procedure may not appear as dramatic or comprehensive as they could be.

  1. Can a Neck Lift be Combined with Other Procedures?

The neck lift primarily focuses on concerns that appear beneath the jawline, so many patients benefit from combining this procedure with a surgical facelift for best results. Compared to a neck lift, a facelift can rejuvenate and redefine your facial contours by eliminating loose skin, manipulating the underlying tissue and restoring lost volume. For most people, combining procedures provides the most seamless, natural-looking results. It also allows for a more dramatic transformation by addressing numerous signs of aging at once. During your consultation, Dr. Younger can evaluate your concerns and advise you on whether combining your neck lift with a facelift will provide the best aesthetic outcome.

Although the neck lift is frequently performed in conjunction with a facelift, it can also be combined with other facial procedures. Some patients opt to include eyelid surgery, chin augmentation or a brow lift with their neck lift for the most comprehensive results. Ultimately, the right combination of procedures for you will depend on your needs and goals. Dr. Younger will help you explore your options and develop a customized surgical plan.

  1. How Long Will My Results Last?

Neck lift surgery provides long-lasting results that age gracefully and naturally with you over time. Generally, you can expect to enjoy a more youthful appearance in the neck, chin and jawline for 10 to 15 years. However, individual factors such as your health, age and lifestyle can affect the longevity of your results. For example, patients that undergo this procedure in their 40s can expect the skin to stay tight and smooth longer than those who have it performed in their 60s.

There are some things you can do to maintain a youthful appearance after your surgery. This includes practicing good skin care, applying sunscreen and not smoking to prevent the skin from aging faster. Improving your posture can also help stop folds and creases from redeveloping too soon. Following your procedure, Dr. Younger will provide aftercare tips and recommend skin care products that can help you get the most out of your neck lift.

  1. What is the Appropriate Age for a Neck Lift?

As with most plastic surgeries, there’s not an exact “right” age for undergoing a neck lift. That being said, most people don’t notice the concerns this procedure can address until their late 30s or 40s. However, certain factors such as genetics or lifestyle can play a role in how quickly your neck begins to show the signs of aging, so some patients may consider surgery earlier in life, while others may wait until they’re in their 60s. If you’re a smoker or don’t regularly use sunscreen, you’re more likely to notice the signs of premature aging sooner than others.

Regardless of your age, if you’ve noticed loose skin, wrinkles or sagging below the jawline you’d like to correct, a neck lift can help restore a more youthful, vibrant appearance. As long as you’re healthy and have reasonable expectations, this procedure can be safely performed on most patients. During a consultation, Dr. Younger will evaluate your needs and concerns to determine if a neck lift is the best treatment option for achieving your aesthetic goals.

  1. How Long is the Recovery After Surgery?

Most people require one to two weeks of downtime following a neck lift, but your recovery may vary depending on the extent of your procedure. Additional surgeries will increase the amount of downtime needed, but provide the benefit of just one recovery period. While you may feel ready to return to work sooner than two weeks, it’s important to avoid strenuous activities until your incisions have healed completely. Dr. Younger will schedule a follow-up appointment to check on your progress and advise you on when you can incorporate exercise back into your routine. He’ll also provide aftercare instructions to ensure a good outcome.

Immediately after your neck lift, you can expect some swelling, tightness and soreness in treated areas. Your incision lines may be noticeable at first, but will gradually begin to fade over time. Dr. Younger takes great care to minimize scarring and can provide tips on how to further reduce visibility. Once the swelling subsides, improved contours and smoother, tighter skin around the neck and jawline will become more apparent. These results will continue to develop for several months after your surgery. You can expect to enjoy a more youthful appearance for many years to come, provided you take good care of your skin.

Ready to Learn More?

Don’t let your neck give away your age. If you have sagging skin, wrinkles or jowls below the jawline, a neck lift can help restore a balanced, youthful appearance. To learn more about this procedure and how Vancouver’s leading facial surgeon can help you achieve your aesthetic goals, call Younger Facial Surgery Centre today at 604-670-2736 to schedule a consultation.


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