What Is the Difference Between a Facelift and a Neck Lift?

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What is the difference between a face lift and a neck lift? Well the reality is that the face and the neck are continuous structures. The skin of the face and the skin of the neck are obviously one continuous structure of the surface and the deeper layers are continuous as well. The deep connective tissue layer of the face below the skin that we refer to as the SMAS, it's an acronym SMAS, and this layer is continuous with the platysma muscle and the neck, so not only is the surface continuous but the deeper structures are continuous as well. In general, when a patient has a face lift, both the face and the neck are being rejuvenated together. On the other hand with a neck lift, the neck can be rejuvenated in isolation. Younger patients that don't have significant skin excess can have a major neck rejuvenation performed through a submental or under the chin incision only and don't require incisions around the ears. However, if there are some more advanced aging changes, the skin of the neck and the lower face can be re-draped together. A neck lift is sometimes just a neck lift while a neck lift can also be essentially a lower face and neck lift without directly involving surgery of the upper face. Make sure that the surgeon that you see can discuss all of these options with you and provide you with reasonable expectations for the outcome of each version of the procedure. Whatever you decide to do, it should be costum tailored for your particular needs.