Neck Rejuvenation: What Are My Options?
When considering how to refresh a person’s overall appearance, the face is a very popular starting point. More specifically, many patients start with the lower portion of the face including the neck area. Aging in the neck area can take many forms. It often takes an experienced plastic surgeon to recognize the specific symptoms and the underlying causes that contribute to that aging. Today, our experts thought it would be helpful to discuss some of our most commonly performed neck enhancement procedures and how they each are able to assist our patients in their own unique ways.
Neck Lift
As we age, one common sign of aging that many people experience is a separation of the platysma muscle in the neck. This muscle, which extends on each side from the upper part of the shoulder to the corner of the mouth, can create pronounced vertical bands in the neck. When combined with sagging skin, this can create what some people may refer to as a “turkey neck.” We perform neck lift surgery to repair this muscle, remove excess, sagging skin, and lift the remaining tissue to create a smoother and younger-looking neck. Scarring following a neck lift is minimal and can be easily hidden within the natural creases of the skin.
Facelift
For some people, the lower portion of the face (including the neck and jowls) can be a common area for lost volume, wrinkles, fine lines, furrows, and the sagging skin. Facelift surgery is a tried-and-true cosmetic surgery procedure designed to help rejuvenate the face by treating all these imperfections in one sitting. A facelift procedure involves the repositioning of tissue, the tightening of underlying muscles, and the removal of excess skin around your face and neck to give your face a tighter, more youthful look. During the procedure, tiny incisions are made, typically above the hairline at the temples, behind the earlobe, or near the lower scalp. In some cases, an additional incision can be made under the chin if the neck needs additional tightening. The procedure is popular with both men and women.
Neck Liposuction
The appearance of an excessively full or “double chin” can be incredibly frustrating. The accumulation of submental fat in the chin and neck area can even occur in cases where the person is otherwise at a healthy, stable body weight. For these patients, liposuction of the neck can help achieve a better defined, trimmer neckline. While liposuction cannot remove loose skin or repair damaged muscle, it is incredibly effective for patients who only experience excess fat in this area (typically younger patients with more skin elasticity). During surgery, tiny incisions are made beneath the chin or behind the ears, and fat is then removed using a device known as a cannula.
When performed by our expert plastic surgeons, a neck enhancement procedure can be an outstanding way to help patients of all ages look and feel younger once again. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation today, please contact Atlanta Plastic Surgery at one of our Atlanta, Cumming, Canton or Lawrenceville area locations. You can also follow along with us on Facebook and Twitter for additional plastic surgery tips, news, photos, and much more.
