Does an anterior neck lift leave a permanent incision scar down the front of your neck?

Hi dalee923In short - yes it can :-)In long: There are many ways to improve your neck contour but typically an anterior neck scar will be a permanent incision from just beneath your chin, extending down your neck depending on the severity of the loose skin.This scar will fade over the next few months and around 2 weeks after your surgery, if the wounds are healing well, you can conceal the scar with make up and foundation, while the scar is still immature, red and raised.Some other ways of tightening the neck are incisions in front of the earlobe and behind the ear to just deal with the neck alone and not address the face. However although the scar will be well hidden the results won't be as affective as a direct incision over the neck. Which is suitable for selective individuals provided they are happy to have the scar.I hope that helps but do your research and find a qualified surgeon whom you are comfortable with.

Thank you for your question, dalee92. Many surgeons perform neck lifts that leave unsightly scars along your neck. When I perform the Laser-Assisted Weekend Necklift, I make a small hidden incision under the natural fold beneath the chin so there is very little noticeability as to your recent surgery, other than your fabulously improved neckline. Always consult with a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Best wishes,

A lot of physicians use terminology differently. In our practice an anterior lift involves an incision in the crease in front of or anterior to the ear and into the temple hairline. This is combined with a suspension suture to the upper neck which improves the neck and jaw line. It could also mean an incision in the front of the neck which is typically for an elderly patient or a man with a lot of excess neck skin that needs to be removed much like a "turkey gobble". The former leaves no visible scar and the later leaves a scar in the front of the neck which is typically only done when there is a lot of skin to remove. Good luck in your area.

A neck lift is performed through incision made behind the ear. This keeps the incision well hidden. Also you may need an incision under the chin to remove excess fat and tighten the muscle to get rid of the bands if you have those. Make sure you see a board certified plastic surgeon

Thank you for your question.  By definition an anterior neck lift is a procedure which removed excess skin under the chin, fat and tightens the muscle bands.  This is typically done with a Z  type incision or some variation thereof.  It does leave a scar under the chin and in front of the neck and is only done in patients with severe neck deformities who are willing to tolerate this scar, or are not good medical candidate for a formal neck or facelift.  If this scar would be objectionable to you, you may want to consider a more formal neck lift procedure which typically leaves a short scar under the chin and behind the ears.  Best wishes.

Yes,  absolutely.  The anterior necks lift procedure uses a long (either straight or irregular) vertical incision. down the middle of the neck. This incision is fairly visible and rarely used nowadays. In order to remove excess skin from the neck, I make and incision that is hidden in the crease behind the ear and extends inside the hairline behind the ear. In order to tighten the muscle that causes the bands, I make a one inch incision in the crease behind the chin.  In my opinion, this is the best way to improve the appearance of the aging neck.Regards,J. Phillip Garcia, M.D., F.A.C.S.Board Certified Facial Plastic SurgeonJacksonville, FL

An anterior neck lift almost always involves a small 1-2 inch scar tucked in the fold of skin directly behind your chin. This scar heals very, very well and is almost never a concern inpatients once it has healed. It is very well concealed. Trew, the scar is permanent, but it is very faint and allows the surgeon access to all of the tissues of the anterior neck to perform muscle work, fatty work, and other maneuvers. However, it is not good for removing excess skin. Those incisions typically have to be hidden around the ears. I hope this helps. Best of luck!Dr. SubbioBoard-Certified Plastic SurgeonNewtown Square/Philadelphia, PA

Thanks for your question.  There are several different types of necklifts depending on your age, skin type, amount of skin you have, and desires.  There is a anterior necklift where an incision can be made down the middle of the neck but that is an extremely rare procedure and leaves a scar that nobody likes.  We use it in individuals who need their 'gobbler' removed and don't care about the aesthetics.  Necklift incisions usually go behind the ear and these incisions hide very well.  That would be my recommendation.  Of course, there are several different types of necklifts and seeing a necklift specialist to really evaluate you and give you an idea of which necklift is right for you is a good first step. 

Hi Dalee, I have never made vertical scar in the neck for a neck lift procedure. I typically make the incision in the crease under the chin, and if needed, behind the ears. This technique is very effective at camouflaging the incisions and they typically are almost unnoticeable.  

There are several different types of neck lifts which leave different scar patterns. What you are referring to is a direct necklift where the loose skin and fat is removed vertically, thus leaving a scar down the neck from the chin to the adam's apple. While tremendously effective, the decision to accept that scar must be chosen very carefully. Older men (greater than age 65)  who do not want to undergo a formal lower facelift are usually the best candidates for it.