Neck lift or Deep Neck Contouring?

Question

Does a deep neck contouring accomplish the same thing as a neck lift? How common is it to have a neck lift in addition to a deep contouring?

Jeffrey M. Darrow, MD · Answer

I’m going to assume by deep neck contouring, you were referring to the incision which is placed just below the chin, elevates the skin of the central neck,and separates the platysma muscles to remove some of the excess fat that is underneath them, with possible partial removal of the submandibular glands and resuturing of the platysma muscle.  This corrects the fullness directly beneath the chin.  A neck lift is usually performed with an incision which is around the ear and allows the lateral neck skin to be elevated, the platysma muscle to be elevated and pulled laterally and superiorly to smooth the neck and sharpen the jawline. These are frequently performed together to establish the smoothest jawline, and the best contour possible across the whole neck.  Best wishes.

Lucian Ion, FRCS · Answer

Thank you for your enquiry. There is increasing recognition of the fact that deep contouring for the neck addresses hereditary features that are not captured well with treatments specifically centred on the impact of ageing.
The volume situated under the platysma muscles is a combination of fatty tissue, the fullness of the digastric muscles and the lower part of the submandibular glands. It becomes more visible in some people depending on the characteristics of the mandible and floor of the mouth.
In general, I would say that if you when you are lying down, the contour of the neck appears very good, you may not need the added element of deep neck contouring. If when you are lying down completely flat you feel that you would still want to improve on the contour of the neck and jawline, the deep neck contour is likely to be the element of surgery to deliver the results.
It can be part of a neck lift intervention and in someone with good skin elasticity it can be an isolated procedure that does not require skin tightening

Jeffrey H. Spiegel, MD · Answer

A deep neck contouring (or deep neck lift) will shape the neck so you have a sharper jawline, so long as you mostly have deep fat and tissues rather than superficial fat, and, so long as you have youthful healthy skin. If you have loose or sagging skin you'll need a "neck lift" as well where the skin is redraped.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Deep neck contouring seems to be a general phrase for any procedure which involves rearrangement of muscles, deep neck fat as well as enlarged salivary glands. This includes neck lift of any sort. Hope this helps.

Jacob Tower, MD · Answer

Hi, I hope you are doing well. The terms 'neck lift' and 'deep neck contouring' generally refer to the same procedures. More precisely, any contouring of the deep neck contents (subplatysmal fat removal, digastric reduction, salivary gland excision, etc) would be classified as a neck lift; however, not every neck lift addresses the deep neck. By contrast, some neck lifts, usually when performed as part of a facelift procedure, are primarily designed to remove excess skin and treat platysma banding. The nomenclature can be confusing, but I hope this helps!
Best,Dr. Tower

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

A deep neck lift is a neck contouring procedure.  This typically involves submental fat removal, a digastric muscle shave, possible submandibular gland reduction, and platysmaplasty.  It requires a Facial Plastic Surgeon familiar with and skilled in contouring deeper neck anatomy

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Deep contouring is not always advisable since necks thin to be on the thin side in many people and do thin with age.  They are excellent minimally invasive radiofrequency treatments for the neck that work as well as a lift with minimal scars and downtime.