Question 1

What is MyEllevate?

Accepted Answer

MyEllevate is a minimally invasive procedure that rejuvenates the neck and jawline, without the incisions and scars from a traditional facelift or neck lift. You may also see it marketed as a Zoom lift, a nod to video calls that may inspire a person to do something about a neck that, like Nora Ephron, they feel bad about.

This relatively new treatment option was developed by a plastic surgeon who imagined an illuminated needle and thread, which would allow him to tighten the neck muscles without having to open the skin.

This idea evolved into ICLED, a light-guided suture system that allows a provider to suspend a permanent suture made of braided polyester beneath the skin via a series of small punctures under the chin and behind the ears. The suture lifts and anchors neck tissues to create a tighter, more defined jawline and neck. Tissue trauma is minimal, and most patients heal rapidly with minor bruising and swelling.

The benefits of MyEllevate suture suspension include a sharper jawline and the release of vertical neck bands. To enhance results, the procedure is often paired with double chin liposuction or energy-based skin-tightening treatments that spur new collagen production.

“In our practice, probably over 90% of patients get liposuction to contour fat that’s adding fullness to the neck, and probably half get some energy to help shrink the skin and give them a more contoured neck design,” says Dr. Johnny Franco, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, Texas.

Dr. Bryan Forley, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, notes that “the MyEllevate procedure can be used to treat a low-lying salivary gland that produces a visible bulging under the jawline."

Related: MyEllevate vs. a Neck Lift: What’s the Difference, According to Doctors?

RealSelf Tip: If you have extensive skin laxity, your provider might recommend MyEllevate Plus, which pairs MyEllevate with incisions behind the ears and the removal of excess skin. “It’s basically a new version of a surgical neck lift,” explains Dr. Jason Pozner, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Boca Raton, Florida.

Question 2

Pros and cons of MyEllevate

Accepted Answer

Pros

MyEllevate is an in-office procedure that’s performed under local anesthesia.
The suture suspension is placed under the skin using a novel light-guided system, allowing for precision and accuracy.
The tiny (1 mm) suture entry points heal without stitches and typically leave no noticeable scars.
Jawline and neck contour are improved immediately, and definition continues to improve as swelling and bruising resolve.
For a minimally invasive procedure, MyEllevate offers relatively long-lasting results: 5 years or more.

Cons

Despite how it’s often billed, MyEllevate is not a no-downtime procedure. Depending on the complexity of your treatment plan and your provider’s recovery protocol, “you can expect three to six days of downtime,” says Dr. Karyn Grossman, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon in Santa Monica, California.
MyEllevate treatments are not a replacement for neck or facelift surgery. “If somebody has a ton of loose skin and sagging of their mid-face, and they need overall facial rejuvenation, they’re still a great facelift and neck lift candidate,” says Dr. Franco. “But for young patients with isolated neck bands and neck skin, and patients that don’t want scars, I think it’s a great alternative for them.”
This treatment can’t fix jowls. “Although some patients may notice mild improvement in the jowl, patients bothered by jowling should be directed to more traditional facelift techniques,” concluded the authors of a recent study on MyEllevate.

RealSelf Tip: Because it’s so new, some providers don’t have much experience performing MyEllevate. Before you choose your provider, “ask how many they’ve done,” advises Dr. Pozner.

Question 3

How much does MyEllevate cost?

Accepted Answer

The average cost of MyEllevate is type: embedded-entry-inline id: 6aTOuvi443nRPfQzwP6tIP, according to patient reviews.

Factors that will influence your final bill include your provider's credentials, their practice location, and the extent of your treatment.

During your initial consultation, ask for a written quote that includes all related fees.

Question 4

MyEllevate before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The MyEllevate before and after photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Who’s a good candidate for MyEllevate?

Accepted Answer

Ideal candidates for MyEllevate are younger to middle-aged patients who want neck rejuvenation but aren’t ready for a surgical procedure.

“For people with mild to moderate skin laxity, this is absolutely fabulous,” says Dr. Franco. “For those with lots of skin laxity, it’s probably not ideal.” However, he notes that he has recommended it to male patients “who are starting to lose a little bit of hair and don’t necessarily want a full neck or facelift because of the scars—and so they’re happy with a moderate improvement.”

Dr. Grossman concurs that realistic expectations are key. “Some patients might get a better result from a facelift, but they’re willing to sacrifice less improvement for no incisions and less downtime.”

In Dr. Franco’s practice, MyEllevate’s popularity has gone hand in hand, he says, with “the weight-loss revolution. We’re seeing such high numbers of people who’ve experienced a 20- to 30-pound weight loss, who’ve worked so hard to be so fit and make a transition for their life, and the neck is just one of the areas that are not super-forgiving with weight loss.”

MyEllevate can also be a good maintenance treatment for people who have previously had a surgical facelift and want to fine-tune their results without revision surgery.

Question 6

How does a MyEllevate procedure work?

Accepted Answer

A MyEllevate procedure takes about 90 minutes, “even when performed with other procedures,” says Dr. Franco.

This rejuvenation technique inserts a permanent suture that lifts and tightens the platysma, the muscle that defines the shape of the neck. It creates a better neck contour and sharper definition between the chin and neck (the so-called “cervicomental angle”) and along the jawline.

Here’s how it works:

First, your provider will make a series of small markings under the jawline and behind the ear.
Next, local anesthetic injections are administered in the neck and along the jawline.
Once you’re completely numb, your provider may cut the platysmal bands, to create a smoother neck contour. This step is optional, but it is performed most of the time because prominent banding is such a common concern.
Then your provider will make a series of eight small entry points for the suture: two anchor points behind the ear (for optimal support), and six others under the chin and on either side of the neck.
Your provider will then insert a needle-like suture rod with an illuminated tip and an attached suture beneath your skin. The light changes color or disappears when the suture rod is passed too deeply, which helps your provider determine the ideal suture placement depth.
Once the suture is in place, it creates a “sling” that evenly lifts and supports your neck tissues—the underlying muscles and the drooping or pronounced salivary glands located on either side of your jawline. The result is a smoother, more defined neck and jawline.
Your treatment plan may also include chin and/or neck liposuction, or an energy-based skin-tightening procedure.

Question 7

How much recovery time will you need?

Accepted Answer

MyEllevate comes with minimal downtime: most patients return to normal activities in three to six days. (Neck lift surgery recovery can take up to two weeks.)

Mild swelling, bruising, discomfort, dimpling, and tightness are expected after the procedure, but these side effects should subside within a few days. “MyEllevate isn’t a painful procedure,” says Dr. Grossman. “We give patients five pain pills, and most don’t take all of them.” Participants in the aforementioned study were directed to massage any lumps and bumps that may appear, but were reassured that these would go away on their own.

During your recovery, follow your provider’s aftercare instructions closely. They may include wearing a supportive chin strap for a few days after the procedure, or wearing a soft cervical collar for up to 10 days, to reduce swelling and the risk of recurrent platysmal banding.

Some providers also recommend sleeping with your head elevated for several days and avoiding vigorous activity (including heavy lifting) for at least two weeks, to further reduce swelling.

Question 8

How soon will you see results?

Accepted Answer

You will see a change almost immediately, says Dr. Franco. Once the bruising and swelling resolve, you’ll see an even more pronounced improvement in definition.

Depending on how much skin laxity you had, you may see some dimpling and bunching behind the ears for a couple of weeks, but that should resolve over time. “It gets better over the next couple weeks. If it’s combined with an energy treatment such as Renuvion or FaceTite, then it will continue to improve for several months,” says Dr. Franco.

Question 9

How long do results last?

Accepted Answer

“MyEllevate definitely turns back the clock,” says Dr. Franco. “If people are living a healthy life and not yo-yo dieting, it’s safe to say they’ll get a result that lasts 5 to 10 years.”

Over time, the aging process will impact the results—just as they would with any procedure. Maintaining a consistent skincare regimen, wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, and supporting your results with other nonsurgical treatments can help extend your results for longer.

Question 10

Is MyEllevate safe? What are the side effects?

Accepted Answer

This minimally invasive facial rejuvenation procedure is considered safe when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.

Your provider should discuss these potential side effects.

Bruising and swelling usually resolve within a week.
Asymmetry is uncommon but possible.
Infection or seroma (a localized accumulation of fluid) occurs in less than 1% of patients, according to a recent study.
If the rod is passed too deeply, nerve damage is possible. However, this risk is extremely low thanks to the lighted tip of the suture rod.

Recurrent platysma banding (neck bands) occurred in nearly 5% of patients within less than 1 year. To put that in perspective, patients who had surgery to address neck bands had a 45% incidence of recurrence after one year, according to one study. “The band reforming is the first thing you’re going to see even after a full-on facelift and neck lift,” according to Dr. Grossman.

If your neck bands return after MyEllevate, Botox can smooth them by relaxing neck muscles. It’s also possible for your provider to go back in through one of the original punctures and address the bands. “It’s a very quick, very easy procedure,” Dr. Grossman notes.

Question 11

MyEllevate vs. FaceTite: What’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

FaceTite and NeckTite are FDA-cleared skin-tightening treatments. These nonsurgical procedures deliver radiofrequency (RF) energy to firm loose skin on the face and neck by shrinking existing collagen fibers and stimulating new collagen production. The heat from the RF energy also helps reduce excess fat—though providers must take care to avoid too much facial fat loss, which can actually make skin sag further.

FaceTite works well for people who are experiencing the early signs of aging due to a loss of collagen, while MyEllevate is great for creating more youthful jawline and neck contours. Providers often combine the two treatments, and frequently add liposuction, for patients who want all of these benefits.

In a study of 24 patients presented at an American Society of Laser Medicine meeting, Dr. Grossman reported that MyEllevate patients who received a combination of RF tightening (NeckTite) with the suture sling saw greater improvement than patients who had MyEllevate alone.

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Karyn Repinski

Karyn Repinski

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