Will get neck/lower facelift in a year or so but can I do anything now to improve and delay?

Hello, and thank you for your question. If you’re planning to have a lower face and neck lift in the future but want to improve your appearance in the meantime, it’s important to understand how certain non-surgical options might affect later procedures.

Energy-based treatments can create a modest amount of skin tightening, but they also produce deeper scarring in the tissues. This scarring can complicate surgery down the road, depending on the extent of the changes. For platysmal bands, botulinum toxin may be a good choice—especially if the banding is due to active muscles—because it relaxes the muscles and can also help refine the jawline. An added benefit is that botulinum toxin does not produce deep scarring.

I highly recommend against using energy based devices in the face/neck, especially if you are truly considering a future facelift/necklift. The energy creates a lot of scar in the tissues. This makes future surgery more challenging due to the scar burden and sometimes stiff tissues that do not move as much as non-treated tissues. I would go see an American Board of Plastic Surgery certified surgery who has experience in facial rejuvenation. This ensures that your surgeon has done proper accredited real plastic surgery training.

Dear patient,
Thank you for your inquiry. It’s understandable to want to delay surgery and explore non-invasive options for improving the jawline and neck area. Treatments like Morpheus8 and Profound RF, which combine microneedling with radiofrequency energy, can offer temporary improvements in skin tightness and texture. However, it’s important to consider the long-term implications of these treatments.
As a facial plastic surgeon, I advise caution with these devices. They can induce fibrosis, or internal scarring, which may complicate future surgical procedures and affect the quality of your tissue. While you might notice some improvement for a few months, these treatments do not address the underlying structural issues causing sagging.
A surgical facelift remains the most effective method to reposition and secure facial tissues to their youthful positions, providing long-lasting results. If you’re considering delaying surgery, it’s crucial to weigh the potential risks and benefits of interim treatments.
I recommend consulting with a board-certified facial plastic surgeon to discuss your goals and develop a personalized plan that ensures both immediate satisfaction and long-term success.