Face and Neck Lift – Can They Be Combined?

A face and neck lift is recommended for anyone who wants to look decades younger. Many patients choose to only get a facelift. However, it can only be so effective because the untreated neck can still give away your age. The solution is to treat both the face and the neck for a complete transformation!

What is the Difference Between a Face and Neck Lift?

Both a facelift and a neck lift tighten the skin, remove extra fat, and trim away extra skin. The key difference is that a facelift is focused on the bottom half of the face. A facelift is designed to treat deep wrinkles, facial fat deposits, jowls, and sagging skin. A neck lift only treats the neck, from the chin down. A neck lift also treats jowls, as well as sagging skin and wrinkles on the neck. Both procedures can provide natural-looking, long-lasting results.

Some patients choose to get only a neck lift or only a facelift. Since both procedures can treat jowls, you have options for your procedure. Dr. Nadir Qazi and his team of plastic surgeons generally recommend getting a combo procedure. Often, when a patient treats one area, it can draw attention to the untreated areas. When you get a facelift and a neck lift at the same time, there is nothing to give away your age.

A neck lift or facelift? Or both? 

Dr. Qazi shares his expert knowledge on the neck lift vs. facelift debate in this article. Learn which procedure is right for you and what you can expect. 

Facelift vs. Neck Lift – What are the 3 Key Differences?

These procedures are very similar. They just focus on different areas of the face and body. There are 3 key differences between the procedures. Use this comparison guide to help figure out which procedure is right for you. 

1. What It Treats 

The biggest difference between a face and neck lift is what they treat. For example, a facelift is used to treat:

• Jowls from sagging skin
• Wrinkles or folds around the mouth
• Fat pockets under the skin on the cheeks
• Loose skin that obscures bone structure
• Deep wrinkles on the cheeks
• The appearance of the face being “weighed down”

It is important to know that a facelift does not treat the whole face. This procedure is designed to treat only the bottom half of the face. Patients who get a facelift normally have youthful-looking eyes and foreheads. Rather, it is the bottom half of their face that looks aged. If you want to rejuvenate your eyes, then you need an upper or lower blepharoplasty. If you want to raise and smooth your brows, you may consider a brow lift. 

In contrast, a neck lift procedure is designed to treat: 

• Excess fat under the chin
• Loose skin under the chin that creates a “turkey neck”
• Sagging skin and wrinkles on the neck
• Jowls that obscure the jawline
• Lack of definition in the jaw due to aged skin

A traditional neck lift is often combined with liposuction to remove pockets of fat. Patients with a large double chin can benefit from liposuction. Once the fat is removed with lipo, then a neck lift can remove the loose skin. 

2. How the Procedure Works

Both a facelift and a neck lift are performed under general anesthesia.

During a facelift, the surgeon makes incisions on the temples and around the ears. These are hidden in the hairline to avoid visible scarring. The surgeon will then redistribute facial fat, tighten facial muscles, and trim off extra skin. The skin is tightened and secured at the incisions. Dr. Qazi’s team of plastic surgeons normally use skin glue or dissolvable stitches. This means that you won’t have to have the stitches physically removed. 

For a neck lift, the surgeon makes incisions under the ears and near the back of the neck. These incisions are also hidden in the hairline. If you are also getting liposuction, the surgeon will make an incision under the chin. 

First, excess fat is removed, either surgically or using liposuction. The surgeon may also redistribute fat to combat volume loss, depending on your age. Next, the surgeon will tighten the platysma muscle, which will improve facial contour. Finally, the surgeon will tighten the skin and remove extra skin. At the end of the procedure, the surgeon will close the incisions and the medical team will apply dressings. 

3. The Types of Face and Neck Lift Procedures

For every procedure, there are several subtypes of that procedure. Nearly all procedures have a mini version, which is even less invasive with smaller incisions. Both a facelift and a neck lift can be customized to the patient’s wants and needs. Patients with small amounts of loose skin often opt for a mini neck or facelift.

Types of Neck Lifts

• Cervicoplasty – A procedure for the neck that only removes excess skin. This is ideal for treating jowls, turkey necks, and sagging skin. It is not recommended for patients with double chins caused by fat. 
• Platysmaplasty – In this procedure, the platysma muscle is tightened. This does not reduce wrinkles, jowls, or volume beneath the chin. This procedure is designed to give the neck greater contour. It can also reduce the appearance of bands on the neck. 
• Neck Liposuction – This procedure is far less invasive than a neck lift. In some cases, it can be performed in Dr. Qazi’s office under local anesthesia. Neck lipo is designed to remove pockets of fat from under the chin. This can treat a double chin, but it does not improve skin quality by itself. 

Although these are considered different and distinct procedures, they can be combined. A neck lift usually includes removing fat, removing extra skin, and tightening muscles. Liposuction can be used during a neck lift for better results. If you have bands on your neck, the surgeon can perform a platysmaplasty during your neck lift.

Types of Face Lifts

• Mini-Facelift – This procedure is a less invasive version of a standard facelift. Smaller incisions are used and the results are less transformative. A mini is ideal for people who want a small facial touch-up. A mini can give you a few more years until a full facelift is necessary. 
• SMAS Facelift – SMAS stands for superficial musculoaponeurotic system. For this procedure, the surgeon tightens and restructures the facial muscles. They will also trim away loose skin, but this procedure is focused on the facial muscles.
• Mid-Facelift – This procedure is all about the cheeks; the jowls and jawline are not touched. For a mid-facelift, the surgeon will reposition fat in the cheeks and tighten the skin. The result is smoother cheeks with better volume.
• Cutaneous Facelift – This type of facelift is all about the skin. For this procedure, the surgeon focuses on tightening the skin. This procedure does not address facial fat deposits or the facial muscles. 

Similar to a neck lift, a facelift can combine elements from multiple types of facelifts. Most patients want complete facial rejuvenation. To get these results, the surgeon usually needs to work with the skin, facial muscles, and facial fat. 

The Face and Neck Lift Combo Procedure

Dr. Qazi and his team of plastic surgeons often recommend the combination procedure for patients. Combining a neck lift and facelift can create better results than either procedure alone. This means that you will have even better anti-aging results. 

4 Benefits of Combining a Neck Lift and Facelift

1. A more dynamic transformation

When you get a procedure, the treatment area looks great after. However, this can draw attention to untreated areas. Even if you have a facelift, your neck can still give away your age. The solution is to treat both the face and the neck. 

2. Two procedures, one recovery

The hardest part of a cosmetic procedure is the recovery after. You have to take time off work to heal. You also experience discomfort, limited activities, and bruising. It’s easier to get two procedures done at the same time, so you only have to go through recovery once. 

3. More cost-efficient to get a neck lift and facelift at the same time

Cosmetic surgery is not covered by insurance and it isn’t cheap. The overall price tag for a procedure includes surgical suite fees, the surgeon’s fee, anesthesia costs, medications, and hospital fees. If you get two procedures at once, you can save on these fees, while getting even better results. 

4. Neck and facelift have compatible recoveries

There are some procedures that you shouldn’t get at the same time. One example is a BBL and breast implants. Face and neck lifts are performed on close regions of the body. This means that you can rest comfortably and still have mobility during your recovery.

Can a Neck Lift Help a Facelift?

One of the best ways to treat jowls is with both a facelift and a neck lift. The combo procedure is especially ideal for patients with severe jowls. Sometimes a facelift alone isn’t enough to treat jowls. During a facelift, the sagging skin is raised to prevent it from obscuring the jawline. When a neck lift is performed, the surgeon tightens the skin under the jawline. They may also remove extra fat that takes away from the contour of the jawline.

Dr. Qazi and his team of plastic surgeons frequently recommend a face and neck combo procedure. By treating the area above and below the jawline, you can get the best results.

Facelift vs. Neck Lift – Frequently Asked Questions From Patients 

Who is a good candidate for a facelift or neck lift?

The ideal candidate for a neck lift is someone who has one of the following cosmetic conditions:

• Turkey neck caused by sagging skin
• Jowls
• Wrinkles and sagging skin on the neck
• Loss of jawline definition due to the construction of the neck

Additionally, you may also be a good candidate if you have a double chin. In this case, the surgeon can perform chin liposuction and then a neck lift. 

Neck lift and facelift patients must also be:

• Non-smokers
• Have no history of adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Adequately healthy for the procedure
• Have good enough skin quality for proper wound healing
• Have realistic expectations for the procedure

It is also important for your cosmetic concerns to be severe enough to justify the procedure. Those not ready for a facelift may be advised to get a non-invasive procedure. A facelift may not be right for younger patients. For example, most people in their 30s do not need a facelift and wouldn’t benefit from one. 

What is the best age to get a facelift and/or neck lift?

The best age for a facelift or neck lift varies by person. It depends on when you develop wrinkles, jowls, or a turkey neck. Most patients get the procedures in their late 40s or 50s. Patients with good skin may wait until their 60s when their age really starts to catch up with them.

How long do the results from a facelift and neck lift last?

The results from a face and neck lift are not entirely permanent. For most patients, their results last 10-15 years. Even after the procedures, your skin will continue to age. You can still develop new wrinkles and sagging over time. However, if you take good care of your skin, your results could last even longer.

Facelift or Neck Lift – Which is Right For Me?

Find out which procedure is right for you: schedule a consultation at Qazi Cosmetic Clinic. When you meet with Dr. Qazi and his team, be prepared to discuss your goals, medical history, and concerns. If Dr. Qazi deems you a good candidate, you will be able to schedule the procedure.