A Closer Look at Neck Lifts
In the ongoing fight against facial aging, one of our most persistent enemies is the force of gravity, which ultimately makes everything droop and sag. As we grow older, the natural elasticity of the skin gradually diminishes, and when this is accompanied by the slow loss of facial volume and the loosening of underlying facial muscles, the result is slack, sagging skin. Naturally, as this skin is pulled downward by gravity, it collects underneath the chin and around the neck, creating the double chin or “turkey neck” commonly recognized as one of the signs of facial aging. Fortunately, these symptoms can be safely and effectively addressed with a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure known as a neck lift.
According to statistics compiled by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 54,000 men and women had neck lifts in 2015, making it one of the five most common facial plastic surgery procedures performed in the United States. A neck lift typically involves the removal of excess, sagging skin and the subtle repositioning of the underlying tissue. In many cases the platysma muscle, which extends on each side from the upper part of the shoulder to the corner of the mouth, can also be re-tightened in order to smooth out the appearance of the pronounced vertical platysmal bands that may appear in certain patients. Finally, the results of the procedure can be further refined by removing and even redistributing facial fat deposits through the use of liposuction and advanced fat transfer techniques.
A neck lift procedure is designed for men and women who have noticed excess wrinkling of the neck skin, a “turkey wattle” or double chin, or excessive jowl lines, but who feel that they are not yet ready to undergo a full facelift procedure. Every face ages differently, and a neck lift can provide benefits to patients aged thirty and up. However, optimal results are usually achieved with candidates who are healthy non-smokers with no medical conditions that would impair healing and who have realistic expectations about the procedure’s outcome.
Healing times can vary significantly between individuals, and some patients heal even more quickly than others, but recovery after a neck lift procedure generally takes anywhere from two to four weeks. Most patients are able to go back to work after just one to two weeks. Scars are usually minimal and are easily disguised in natural creases of the skin or by the hair. The ultimate result is a smoother, younger looking neck contour that does not dramatically change the patient’s overall appearance.
If you are interested in learning more about neck lift surgery or about any of the other facial rejuvenation or cosmetic plastic surgery procedures we offer, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery, P.C. at one of our Atlanta, Alpharetta, Cumming, or Newnan offices to schedule a consultation. We also offer a variety of financing options, including Alphaeon® and CareCredit®, in order to assist you. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ for the latest plastic surgery news.
