Do you feel like your neck is aging faster than your face? Are you tired of sagging skin, a double chin, or a poorly defined jawline? You’re not alone—and a neck lift might be the game-changing solution you’re looking for.
In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through what a neck lift is, how it works, the benefits, recovery timeline, and how to know if you’re a good candidate.
🔍 What Is a Neck Lift? (Platysmaplasty)
A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is a cosmetic surgery designed to tighten loose skin, remove excess fat, and smooth out the muscles in the neck. It restores a youthful neck contour and enhances the definition of the jawline and chin.
It’s often performed on its own or combined with other procedures like a facelift or liposuction.
🧬 What Does a Neck Lift Treat?
✔ Sagging or crepey neck skin
✔ Vertical neck bands (platysma muscle laxity)
✔ Double chin or excess fat under the chin
✔ Loss of jawline definition
✔ “Turkey neck” appearance
⚙️ How Does the Procedure Work?
A neck lift is typically performed under local or general anesthesia. Here’s how it works:
Incisions are made behind the ears and sometimes under the chin.
The surgeon tightens or repositions the platysma muscle.
Excess fat is removed, often with liposuction.
The skin is redraped and any extra is trimmed.
Incisions are carefully closed for minimal scarring.
⏱ The procedure takes about 2 to 3 hours and is usually outpatient.
⏳ Recovery Timeline
Day 1–3: Swelling, bruising, and tightness—normal and expected.
Day 4–7: Sutures are removed.
Week 2: Most people return to work.
Week 4–6: Final results begin to show.
3–6 months: Full healing and optimal contour appear.
Most patients describe the discomfort as mild to moderate, easily managed with medication.
⭐ Benefits of a Neck Lift
✅ Natural-looking, long-lasting results
✅ Dramatic improvement in neck and jaw definition
✅ More youthful appearance without changing your facial identity
✅ Boosts self-confidence in profile photos and real life
🧑⚕️ Are You a Good Candidate?
You might be a perfect candidate if:
✔ You’re healthy and don’t smoke
✔ You have visible signs of aging in your neck
✔ Your skin has some elasticity
✔ You want a permanent solution, not just fillers or creams
