Am I too young to have a neck lift? (Photo)

Question

I’m 42 and my neck bothers me a lot, the skin in not crepey but loose. I’m worried that i may be wasting my money by having it too early, however it bothers me a lot now, so don’t know whether I should just go for it? Is it a mistake to have the neck only?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello LLANAB8,

Thank you for reaching out with your question about whether it's too early for you to consider a neck lift, and for sharing your history and photos for a better assessment.

From your description and the photos, it seems that your primary concern is excess neck skin and possibly some laxity in the neck muscles. In such cases, neck liposuction alone may not be sufficient if the predominant issue is excess skin rather than fat.

A neck lift could indeed be a suitable option for you. This procedure is designed to address excess skin and can also tighten lax neck muscles. It typically involves an incision made around the ears, extending into the hairline or behind the ear, depending on the technique used. The procedure generally takes about 3 to 4 hours and can be performed under IV sedation (twilight anesthesia) or general anesthesia. During the surgery, the platysma muscle in the neck might be tightened or sutured in the midline, but whether this is necessary in your case would depend on a detailed examination during a consultation.

Regarding your concern about age, there isn't a specific "right age" for a neck lift. Suitability for the procedure depends more on individual factors like skin quality, degree of sagging, and overall health rather than age alone. If you're experiencing issues that a neck lift can address, and you're in good health, age should not be a prohibitive factor.
I recommend consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon who can provide a thorough evaluation and discuss the best approach for your specific needs and goals.
I hope this information helps answer your question and gives you a clearer idea of what to expect from a neck lift procedure. Wishing you the best as you explore this option.
Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Hello,

Thank you for your question regarding the suitability of neck lift surgery at the age of 42 and whether it is a mistake to have only a neck lift without a facelift.

Suitability of Neck Lift Surgery:

The decision to undergo a neck lift procedure is primarily determined by the characteristics of your jawline. If your jawline contours appear relatively good and the main concern is the area under the chin, a neck lift on its own can be a valuable intervention. It does not necessarily require combination with a facelift procedure.

Treatment Alternatives:

For the specific characteristics of the problem you are experiencing, a deep plane neck lift can address your concerns effectively. This procedure can provide significant improvement in the neck area, particularly if the issues are mild to moderate in intensity.

Considerations:

•	Neck Lift Only: If the fullness and laxity are primarily under the chin and the jawline remains well-defined, a neck lift alone can be sufficient and valuable.
	•	Non-Surgical Alternatives: There are no great non-surgical alternatives that can achieve the same results as a deep plane neck lift for the concerns you have described. However, using sunblock and maintaining good skincare can help protect your skin and delay the aging process.

Conclusion:

It ultimately comes down to a choice between not doing anything for the time being or opting for a neck lift procedure. Since the problem is of mild to moderate intensity, allowing more time and using sunblock can be a sensible choice for now. If you feel that the concerns are significantly impacting your confidence and appearance, then a neck lift can be a suitable and effective solution.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Morpheus 8 is a non-invasive skin and soft tissue tightening treatment that is consistently amazing in our patients. We use the Morpheus to exact fractional induced RF into the skin or tissue in order to tighten collagen and stimulate contraction of the tissue. For acne scars, it is quite useful to build collagen in patients who have atrophic scars but is not very productive for ice-pick scars which require TCA Cross. For tissue tightening, Morpheus is ideal for the face and neck and we often combine it with CO2 laser or Ultherapy to further enhance results. Chemical peels and skin resurfacing should be done at least 5 to 7 days after, but can be performed earlier, depending on treatment severity. Avoid exfoliating skin treatments before Morpheus and expect a period of 2-4 weeks for skin contraction to set in.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian 
Realself100 Surgeon

Caner Kacmaz, MD · Answer

You are very suitable for neck lift surgery. Patients older than 35 years of age commonly prefer this surgery to reduce excess skin or fat on their neck. In your case I can say that you will definitely benefit from neck lift surgery

William Portuese, MD · Answer

It appears that you only have a small amount of laxity in your neck, so you may give some consideration to waiting a few years.

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