I'm 30, BMI is 23, and have always had a turkey neck. Would a neck lift improve my jawline or are there better options? (photos)

Hello, thank you for your question. It seems like you can benefit from a neck lift or a nonsurgical procedure called Facetite. I recommend you to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon to discuss the procedure that is better for you. 

Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your neck. Based on your history and pictures, I would suggest a neck lift. You have fat under and above the platysma neck muscles and excessive neck skin. Your best option would be a neck lift. During a neck lift, neck liposuction is performed as well as direct removal of neck fat. Also, during a neck lift procedure, excess neck skin is removed.  During the neck lift procedure, the platysma muscle or neck muscle is sutured together to give a defined neck. I suture the platysma muscle with permanent sutures to give you a permanently lifted, 90-degree neck and jaw line.  The neck lift takes approximately 3 to 4 hours to complete.  The neck lift is performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation. Plan to give yourself a 2-week recovery after a neck lift. Thank you for your question regarding what to do with your neck. If you cannot find an experienced, plastic surgeon in your neighborhood, consider traveling out of state.  Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, and International College of Surgery and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

The contours of your neck combined with the BMI suggest that the main issues are related to deeper seated volumes in the neck. The right submandibular gland appears to be prominent also below the jawline. There is no excess skin in the neck and on clinical examination it is possible to determine if there is skin tightness.The options could be structured as:- milder approach using liposuction and possibly chin augmentation with implant or inhjectable filler- a more significant contouring involving reduction of volume under the platysma muscles under the skin through an access incision under the chin. No skin tightening would be necessary.

Based on your presentation, it looks that you have obtuse neck due to low inserting muscles and presence of fat both on top and underneath the platysma muscle. This is usually a family trait? Anterior neck lift is procedure that will address both issues and create stable, long lasting result in your age group. All is done through a small incision underneath the chin in twilight anesthesia. No other procedure, in particular the non-invasive ones, will address the problem that is purely anatomical. Good luck.

options for you include facetite (more advanced than thermi) or Necklift. do you want longer term? neck lift, fillers, lasers will be your best option despite age.
There are many options for jawline contouring:
1) implants
2) fat or filler injections along the bone
3) botox for masseter hypertrophy or platysma muscle/neck bands
4) ThermiRF/J Plasma/Renuvion/InMode FaceTite for internal heating
5) Thermage or Ultherapy skin tightening
5) PDO Novathreads or instalift threads for lifting
6) Neck or facelifting surgery
7) VASERlipo with or without platysmaplasty

The best option would be liposuction of the neck combined with Thermitight to improve the profile. It is minimally invasive and has quick recovery. RegardsDr. J

A neck lift is the most comprehensive procedure to rejuvenate the neck.  It permits tightening of the muscles and improvements in the angle of the neck, removal of any fat deposits, and redraping of the skin.  That likely would achieve your goals, but the real question is at your age, are there less aggressive approaches that would be appropriate.  Many younger patients do well with neck liposuction and skin tightening procedures.  An examination is really required to assess your neck anatomy and make some judgement about the position of your neck muscles and quality of your skin tone.  Consider a formal consultation when social isolation restrictions are lifted.  Stay safe, and best of luck!

 A full set of facial photographs from all angles are going to be required to make a determination about how best to proceed.  In addition, a physical examination of the neck will also be required.  Liposuction alone can accomplish removal of fatty deposits located above the platysma muscle.  When there is fat located below the platysma muscle,a surgical neck lift is required to remove both layers of fat, which also includes a platysma-plasty.  No skin removal is required at age 30.  If there is a recessive chin present, then consider a chin implant.