Aging can take place all over the body, but the changes in the face and neck can be especially concerning, as these areas are the first place we look when we meet someone new. And with today’s increased online exposure on platforms like Zoom and Facetime, it can be troubling to view age-related volume loss, lines, wrinkles, and folds up close.
Both a facelift and a neck lift can be instrumental in revitalizing the appearance. A facelift addresses sagging cheeks, a loss of definition in the jawline, drooping jowls, and wrinkles and lines. A neck lift targets vertical neck banding, crepe-like skin, a double chin, and a loss of skin elasticity in the neck. Below we will explore what the procedures have in common and what makes them each unique so that you can make an educated and informed decision on which path to pursue.
What are the similarities between a facelift and a neck lift?
Both surgeries help combat sagging skin and work to strengthen the underlying muscles in the face and neck. Studies have shown that both a facelift and a neck lift can remove as much as 6-12 years from your perceived age.
Whether you undergo a facelift or a neck lift, you will feel greater satisfaction with your image and increased self-confidence, both professionally and socially. Unlike their non-surgical counterparts, both processes require anesthesia, incisions, scarring, and recovery time, yet both result in lasting changes that are elegant, natural-looking, and personalized.
What are the differences?
During a facelift, the incisions are made within the folds of the ears extending into the hairline. The skin is then pulled upwards towards the forehead to smooth the cheeks and lower face. A facelift can address nasolabial folds, marionette lines, midface sagging, a loosened jawline, and the formation of jowls.
In contrast, a neck lift tightens the skin beneath the chin and jawline, smoothing the neck. The incisions are made both behind the ears and sub mentally, where they are inconspicuous. The procedure can help correct a “turkey neck” (excess skin that accumulates above the throat) and a double chin (bloating in the upper neck that distorts the profile).
Which procedure is right for me?
It can be hard to tell which procedure will suit you best without the advice of a board-certified plastic surgeon, and indeed the best way to determine your candidacy for either option is to undergo a private consultation with your doctor. However, there are some simple tests you can perform at home to help determine the right direction for your anti-aging protocol:
Place your fingers at the top of the cheeks and lift the skin upwards towards the back of the head. Do you see any improvement?
Now place the fingers below the jawline and gently lift the skin upwards and sideways towards the back of the neck. Do you see a significant change?
In truth, many clients can benefit from undergoing both procedures at once. A facelift can be combined with a neck lift to comprehensively contour and sculpt the areas for a more youthful look and a heightened self-image.
What is the takeaway?
Whether you are looking to rejuvenate the face, the neck, or both simultaneously, there are more options today than ever before, both surgical and non-surgical. When you visit Saigal Plastic Surgery in Orlando, we will evaluate your skin and create a customized treatment plan that helps restore your innate beauty while minimizing the aesthetic flaws that keep you from feeling your absolute best. Call us today to learn more about how a facelift and a neck lift can jumpstart your personalized anti-aging makeover.