Does Neck Lift Help Improve the Jawline?

Improving the Jawline

If your main concern is your jawline, then a lower facelift or mini-facelift will address the smoothing of the jawline, if there is jowling or sagging of fat below the jawline. Since the jawline is part of the lower third of the face, this is why we call it a lower facelift. A mini-facelift or mini-lift is also a type of lower facelift, which implies that less work on the deeper layers was performed, or it is performed under local anesthesia, and in some cases, it takes a very short time to complete.

Three Facial Zones and the Neck

Since the face can be divided into thirds, the upper third (forehead), the middle third (cheeks/cheekbones) and lower third ( the lower cheek and jawline, the neck is actually below the face, and in a zone by itself. Lower facelifts and mini-facelifts can affect the midface and neck, simply by the fact that it is bordering on the those two zones; however, the improvement from a lower facelift alone on the midface/cheeks or neck profile, will be limited.

What is a Necklift?

A necklift involves, removing any excess fat, tightening any hanging muscle bands or cords (platysmal muscle bands) either by tying the middle edge of the muscle cords together, and/or tightening the outer edge of the platysmal muscles to an area behind the ears. Once the fat and muscle of the neck is contoured and tightened, the excess neck skin is excised (removed) from an incision behind the ears and into the hairline.

Synergy of Lower facelift and Necklift

There is a reason, why you commonly see the term lower facelift and necklift together as a combination procedure. The two adjacent areas when lifted together as a unit has "synergy" and seems to give a better result, than when the two procedures are performed alone. In the right patients with a perfect neck, and isolated sagging of the jawline, a mini-lift or lower facelift alone can be performed as the "correct" procedure for that patient, while another patient with a perfect jawline but isolated sagging (mild) of the neck may be a candidate for a necklift alone (incisions behind the ears and sometimes an additional incision under the chin to access the middle edge of the platysma muscle.)

Necklift Alone?

When can a necklift be performed alone? If the patient doesn't have too much excess facial skin on their lower face, then potentially a necklift alone with incisions starting at the back of the earlobes and in the crease behind the ear into the hairline can be performed. However, if the person has too much excess facial skin, or excess skin directly below their chin, then a lower facelift may need to be performed at the same time to get the best result, and prevent pleating of skin from the lower face around the base of the earlobes. In these cases, the lower facelift give the surgeon a longer incision around the front of the ear in order to remove the excess facial skin and also redistribute the skin that is directly under the chin.

Does Neck Lift Help Improve the Jawline?

If it is a necklift only, then it may help a little bit, or it may not do anything at all. If your surgeon's definition of a necklift is really a Lower facelift and necklift combination, then it should do the trick. A necklift is really for improving the neck profile, but does not improve the quality of the neck skin. When the neck skin has lost elasticity, stretching the skin can make the skin look younger, but if you pinch this same skin after surgery, the loss of elasticity and crepiness of the thin skin is still apparent. So it is really an appearance or illusion of youth, but does not actually make your neck young like it was in your 20's and 30's.

Expectation Management

If you are a good candidate for a necklift and your jawline isn't that bad and doesn't bother you, then you can have a necklift alone. If you happen to get a slight improvement of the jawline, then consider it a bonus, but if you don't get any improvement, then you will also be okay with that result, too.

If your jawline really bothers you, and you are hoping a single procedure (necklift alone) will take care of the neck and jawline, then it is likely wishful thinking and you will likely be disappointed, and the combination of the lower face and necklift may be the better option for you, after considering all of the risks and recovery (of course.)

Consult with a Board-Certified Facial Plastic or Plastic Surgeon in your area to get their opinion. I hope that makes sense and Good luck.

Best,

Dr. Yang

​Botox in combination with radiofrequency treatments can be used to slim and shape the jawline. I recommend getting a formal evaluation with a facial sculpting expert. Best, Dr. Emer​

In my practice, I often do incorporate a mini-lower-facelift when performing neck lifts to eliminate jowling and fullness of the lower face, which on men can look droopy and hang over a shirt collar, and on women can look very masculine by squaring off the lower face. I began employing this technique after having had countless patients come to me from other offices, seeking revision, and unhappy that their neck lifts did not fully improve their jowling and “W” shape that can be seen in profile of the lower face and jawline. As a board certified plastic surgeon, I find that the best approach to create an elegant result begins with an in-depth consultation where one can devise the right plan for each patient. Take your time; do your research, and give yourself the latitude to find the right surgeon, since this procedure – if done properly – can turn the clock back decades in terms of the youthfulness of your face.