Facelift vs. Neck Lift

Dr. Philip Miller

May 18, 2022

Looking your best usually starts with your face – It is the first thing people notice. A new aesthetic appearance can open doors for you, making you look and feel your very best. Though you may not have found the Fountain of Youth yet, even with the many moisturizers and creams available today, a facelift, neck lift, or combination of the two may be the solution you are looking for to get your youthful facial appearance back. 

Philip Miller, M.D. is our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with 20 years of experience delivering safe and effective facelifts and neck lifts. He creates customized treatment plans for each patient he sees. And his caring and supportive medical team are always available to answer questions and help you decide which procedure is the right one. Contact us in New York or New Orleans to learn more.

What is a Facelift?

Popular in New York and across the globe, a facelift is a plastic surgery procedure that repositions fallen tissue and excises loose, excess skin. Explicitly used for saggy skin, facial hollowing, and deep wrinkles, facelifts today are more natural-looking than the windblown results these surgeries used to offer. 

Weakened muscle and tissue, combined with collagen depletion in the dermal structure, can cause the skin to sag over time. The tissue under the muscle, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), can be tightened and lifted. Loose skin can be placed back over the face with the excess skin removed, promoting a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance. 

In addition, Dr. Miller can reposition and remove any displaced fat that migrated downward to create a more youthful facial contour. Finally, the facelift procedure reduces the sagging or skin folds on the cheeks and jawline and other shape changes in the face that happens with age. A classic facelift focuses on the lower portion of the face, from the cheekbones down, as well as the jowls and jawline.

Dr. Miller offers customized treatment plans in his Manhattan, New York, and New Orleans, Louisiana offices  to improve and enhance the appearance of your face. His proprietary NatraLook® process enables you to work through potential obstacles as you explore your Aesthetic Confidence in an unintimidating, supportive environment. 

What is Neck Lift? 

A neck lift is also known as a cervicoplasty, which targets loose, excess skin. It is often combined with a platysmaplasty that tightens the underlying neck muscle. A neck lift is a surgical procedure that removes extra skin and fat from the neck to reduce the visible signs of aging around the neck and jawline to create a smoother contour and more aesthetically pleasing profile. Dr. Miller may use a cervicoplasty, a platysmaplasty, or a combination, to rejuvenate, restore, and create a more refined appearance to the neck. 

A neck lift is perfect for those who see most of their aging concerns settling beneath the jawline, such as horizontal banding, submental fat under the chin, and the dreaded “turkey neck.” Neck lift procedures take about two to three hours and can be done using local anesthesia or IV sedation for some patients. Results of a good neck lift can last many years if you give your skin TLC with daily sun protection and medical-grade skincare products that maintain skin health..

Are a facelift and neck lift the same?

A facelift and neck lift are two different procedures, although it may be necessary to perform a lower facelift to firm up the jawline with a neck lift to tighten the sagging skin under the chin. A facelift primarily focuses on loss of volume in the midface, jowl formation along the jawline, and creases around the nose and mouth. A neck lift targets loose skin below the jawline, submental fat under the chin, the formation of turkey neck, and horizontal banding that often occurs when the platysma muscle becomes overactive.

Dr. Miller will take the time to discover your specific concerns and goals to determine which procedure or combination of treatments might work best for you.

What’s the difference between a neck lift and a lower facelift?

Depending on the type of facelift performed, this procedure can refresh most of the face in a single procedure. A neck lift is focused solely on the neck, from the jawline to the decollete. Incisions for a facelift are usually placed around the ear and inside the hairline toward the temple. Incisions for a neck lift can also be placed around the ear, but extend across the lower scalp. Recovery from these procedures can be similar, taking about 1-2 weeks. 

Can a neck lift be done without a facelift?

Occasionally, a patient can get a nice result from a neck lift alone. However, it is much more common to combine a neck lift with a facelift to ensure comprehensive improvement. A facelift is more likely to produce a satisfactory outcome when performed as a stand-alone treatment. 

Does a facelift tighten the neck?

Although it primarily focuses on improving the cheeks and jawline, a facelift may tighten the neck by reducing skinfolds and sagging skin. However, for the best improvement in both areas, Dr. Miller will likely recommend performing a facelift and neck lift at the same time. 

Skinfolds and sagging skin can make you feel unattractive and old. Getting a facelift, neck lift, or even both may help bring your youthful appearance back, giving you confidence and rejuvenation. Contact our Manhattan, New York, or New Orleans, Louisiana office today to make an appointment or ask questions about getting a facelift, neck lift, or both.

Dr. Philip Miller

Focusing exclusively on the face for more than two decades, double-board certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Philip Miller blends art and science with innovation and skill to provide thousands of patients with impeccable results. He is known for pioneering the NatraLook methodology for rhinoplasty, facelifts, neck lifts, and other cosmetic procedures for the face.