nɛk lɪft

As one ages, the gathering of excess neck skin, bulging fat and hanging loose muscles and ligaments obliterate the defining features of the neck and lower face.  Bony definition of the jawline is lost leading to a lack of distinction between the lower face and neck.  Similarly there is a loss of the junction between the chin and neck known as the cervico mental angle.  A heavy pendulous neck weighs down on the lower face contributing to a tired and aged facial appearance.
‍
A neck lift aims to reverse these aged features and therefore re establish a fresh and rejuvenated facial appearance.  Depending on your findings, this can be done in isolation or in combination with a facelift.  A comprehensive facial assessment will determine which interventions suit you best.
‍
Short incisions around the ear lobes and an incision underneath the chin are used to allow direct access to both the midline and sides of the neck.  Along the midline, excess superficial and deep fat can be removed by direct excision, the platysma muscle is tightened and excess skin removed.  From below the ears, the sides of the neck are entered deep to the platysma muscle which is fashioned into a robust hammock, tensioned and anchored firmly to fixed points below and behind the ears.
‍
This deep plane approach and direct manipulation of the platysma muscle allows the execution of a definitive lift of the neck, re establishing the underlying natural anatomical defining features of a youthful neck.
‍
For a comprehensive understanding of the principles of a neck lift and how this is often performed in combination with a facelift, you may refer to our Facelift overview.