Neck Lift vs Platysmaplasty Surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Question

Does neck lift always include platysmaplasty? I had a consultation with a doctor recently. He suggests me a SMAS lower face lift, which includes neck lift. When I asked about the location of incisions, he said the incisions are approximately 3cm long in front of ears and behind the ears. When I searched on the internet, it looks like most doctors will have an incision under chin when doing platysmaplasty surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Corey S. Maas, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  A platysmaplasty is usually approached through a very small (~2 cm) incision that is hidden in one of your natural skin creases on the underside of your chin.  This incision usually heals very nicely and is barely perceptible since it is hidden within a natural skin fold and under your chin.  The incisions for a neck lift, as you mentioned, does require incisions behind your ear but these also are hidden within creases and hairlines as well.  Not all patients need a platysmaplasty - only if they have muscle bands that need to be treated.  We understand the importance of hiding incisions and scars and strive to keep them discreet.  I hope this helps!

David Tauber, MD · Answer

A neck lift is a set
of procedures that can tighten the neck skin and muscle in an effort to remove
excess skin and restore better contour to the neck. The extent of the procedure
is tailored to the needs of each patient but often involves neck liposuction or
direct fat excision, tightening of the underlying neck muscle (cervicoplasty or
platysmaplasty), and skin tightening and excision. There are often three
incisions: 1 around each ear and 1 under the chin. The incisions around the ears
are used to dissect the skin free of the underlying muscle, to access the
lateral part of the muscle (the platysma) for tightening, and to tighten and
remove the excess skin at closure. The sub mental incision (under the chin) is
used to remove excess fat from the neck and to tighten the central part of the platysma.
Without the sub mental incision, the surgeon does not have the ability to
easily remove the fat from central portion of the neck or to tighten the
central part of the platysma. This incision may not be needed for some
patients, however, for others it will compromise the extent and / or longevity
of the lift. A detailed examination will help delineate the best
surgical treatment. Consultation with a plastic surgeon would be the next best
step.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Without seeing pictures or examining you, it is very difficult to give you specific advice.  A neck lift without a platysmaplasty tightens the skin, but does not address the muscles.  In most cases, the platysmaplasty is recommended to achieve the best result.  However, each patient is addressed separately and the best procedure advised to the patient.  A small incision under the chin leads to a significantly defined neck and jaw line in most patients.Good Luck

Andrew Kornstein, MD, FACS · Answer

The answers really depends on what your neck looks like now and what you are willing to accept.Thin necks(no significant deep fat--- deep fat cannot be addressed with lipoplasty) and well contoured necks(no deep muscle issues that create neck fullness) can be addressed without the submental(chin) incision.Said another way, isolated platysmal banding can be readily handled without the need for the chin incision.Best of luck.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

To perform a platysma plasty  requires an incision placed in the sub mental  chin area blended in the crease. The incision underneath the chin crease  is mandatory in order to perform the platysma-plasty. The fatty deposits are removed above and below the platysma muscle, and then the platysma plasty is performed. When patient's are under 50 years of age, a neck lift can be performed. In most patients over 50 years of age, there will be loose and elastic neck skin which requires a face/ neck lift. For many examples of neck lifts and face/neck lifts with a platysma plasty , please see the link and video below.

Neck Lift vs Platysmaplasty Surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Answers (8)

Answer: Does a platysmaplasty require a submental(chin) incision?

Answer: Does a platysmaplasty require a submental(chin) incision?

Answer: Platysma-plasty is performed in a neck lift and a face/neck lift

Answer: Platysma-plasty is performed in a neck lift and a face/neck lift

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Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

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Neck Lift vs Platysmaplasty Surgery. Is it possible platysmaplasty can be done without any incision under the chin?

Answers (8)

Answer: Does a platysmaplasty require a submental(chin) incision?

Answer: Does a platysmaplasty require a submental(chin) incision?

Answer: Platysma-plasty is performed in a neck lift and a face/neck lift

Answer: Platysma-plasty is performed in a neck lift and a face/neck lift

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Neck Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.