Neck lift - is it possible without visible scars? (Photo)

Question

Hi, I am wondering about a neck lift, i have had lipo under my chin and the skin is not loose but i have always had the problem that my neck does not cling to my jawline, it sort of slopes down, is there a way to do this without visible scars. Thankyou

Randal Haworth, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello !

You may benefit from a corset platysmaplasty.

A neck lift, also known as cervicoplasty, and a corset platysmaplasty are two distinct procedures that can be performed to rejuvenate and improve the appearance of the neck. While both procedures target the neck, they differ in their approach and the specific issues they address.
   
 A neck lift, or cervicoplasty, is a surgical procedure designed to tighten and lift sagging skin and remove excess fat from the neck area. This procedure typically involves the following:
    •    Removal of excess skin
    •    Tightening of the underlying muscles (platysma)
    •    Liposuction to remove excess fat, if necessary
    •    Redraping and suturing the remaining skin to create a smoother, more youthful appearance
A neck lift can address issues such as a double chin, sagging jowls, and loose skin on the neck. It is often combined with other facial rejuvenation procedures such as a facelift, brow lift, or chin augmentation.
  
 A corset platysmaplasty, on the other hand, is a more focused procedure that targets the platysma muscles in the neck. The platysma muscles are thin, sheet-like muscles that stretch from the collarbone to the jaw. As we age, these muscles can weaken and separate, contributing to the appearance of vertical neck bands or "turkey neck.

During a corset platysmaplasty, the surgeon focuses on tightening and repositioning the platysma muscles to improve the appearance of the neck. The procedure typically involves the following steps:
    •    Making a small incision under the chin or behind the ears
    •    Accessing the platysma muscles and carefully dissecting them to expose their edges
    •    Suturing the platysma muscles together in a corset-like fashion, tightening them and eliminating the vertical neck bands
    •    Redraping and suturing the skin, if necessary, to ensure a smooth appearance
A corset platysmaplasty primarily addresses the vertical neck bands and sagging muscles, creating a more defined and contoured neckline. It can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with a neck lift, facelift, or other facial rejuvenation procedures, depending on the patient's goals and the surgeon's recommendations.
In summary, the main difference between a neck lift (cervicoplasty) and a corset platysmaplasty is the focus of each procedure. A neck lift targets excess skin, fat, and muscle laxity in the neck, while a corset platysmaplasty specifically targets the platysma muscles to improve the appearance of vertical neck bands. Both procedures can be customized to meet the patient's needs and may be combined with other procedures for optimal results.

it is best to consult with a skilled board certified plastic surgeon for the best results and minimal scars (which shouldn’t be visible).

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Plastic surgery scars require attention after surgery so that they remain cosmetically-appealing and barely noticeable. In our office, we use a protocol for scars that minimizes their activity in the 6-8 weeks after surgery. If you have late plastic surgery scars, you may also require laser and RF therapy to help reduce the longterm effects of the scarring. Keloids, hypertrophic scars, widened scars, red scars, and hyperpigmented scars all require scar modulation with topical creams followed by lasers and RF therapy. Topical skincare should be directed to a specific need, whether for pigmentation or hypertrophy and our office can guide you through the process to obtain the correct Plato’s Scar cream or Melarase cream for hypertrophy and discoloration. In terms of lasers, we would employ the vbeam laser for redness, Venus Viva RF, PRP microneedling, chemical peels, and Morpheus 8, fractional erbium, or fractional co2. All of these have their individual benefits. Most of all, we recommend you visit a solid plastic surgeon who understands surgical scar revision, laser therapy, and RF therapy for scars. 
 
Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hello, hope you are well. Generally speaking, a surgical neck lift always involves skin incisions (under the chin and often laterally around the ears). Those scars can be camouflaged in skin creases, but will always be visible if someone examines closely enough. Based on the photo you provided, this approach would be overkill for your problem as the skin laxity appears relatively mild, and there are no visible secondary problems (platysma banding, etc). Instead, you may want to consider a procedure that does not require incisions or general anesthesia, but is designed to tighten the skin. FaceTite, for example, is a radiofrequency based treatment that can help to accentuate the jawline without visible scars. At the end of the day, the results are always limited by the underlying anatomy of the neck, but you would likely be a good candidate. Good luck!
Cheers,Dr. Tower

Jonathan Kulbersh, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question and photo. You may benefit from Kybella injections to create a more well-defined neck and jawline contour. This treatment uses deoxycholic acid to dissolve fat cells under the chin and reduce fullness to achieve a more elegant and balanced appearance.

I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced expert injector who can review your treatment history, discuss your concern with you, and determine the best course of action.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"A combination approach would give the most improvement. Nonsurgical options such as Kybella, PDO NovaThreads, and Ultherapy do well in combination for skin tightening, but the results are mild compared to surgical options.

I would recommend a VASER Hi-Definition Liposuction with ThermiRF, Renuvion (J Plasma) and InMode BodyTite to contour and tighten the chin and neck. A neck lift can be performed at the same time, if you're a good candidate. I suggest seeing a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist to develop a personalized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer.​"

Neck lift - is it possible without visible scars? (Photo)

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Neck lift - is it possible without visible scars? (Photo)

Answers (6)

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Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

Answer: Skin Tightening for the Neck -- Kybella, Ultherapy, Thermage, PDO NovaThreads vs VASER Hi-Def, ThermiRF, Renuvion, BodyTite

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