Many people find that their neck is one of the biggest sources of unhappiness in terms of their appearance, especially with the rise of Zoom, forcing us all to see ourselves in the most unflattering light. If that has pushed you to look for a solution, then you may have found two options – a neck lift or neck liposuction.

If you’re not sure which is right for you, or even what the difference is then here’s all you need to know.

Neck Lift

A neck lift is a surgical procedure. It tightens and lifts loose skin around your neck. The surgeon does this by tightening the skin and muscles of the neck. They stitch the loose skin and muscles together to pull it tight. The doctor may anchor the stitches to the solid structures in front or behind the ear.

Surgeons usually make cuts along the scalp and around the ears. This allows them to gather the loose skin and facial muscles and then remove and excess. It may be necessary to make an incision under the chin as well to achieve a smooth finish.

Once the skin is in place and secured, it may be necessary to redistribute some of the fat from your neck and face to achieve the desired final result.

It is not uncommon for a neck lift to be combined with a full facelift. The incisions are made in the same place, so many people often combine the two if it suits their needs.

Who Would Benefit From A Neck Lift?

The ideal candidate for a neck lift is someone who is at their desired weight. This is because losing a lot of weight can affect the results of a neck lift. You should be as healthy as possible and ideally be a non-smoker.

A neck lift is effective for people who have excess loose skin around their neck, sometimes referred to as a turkey neck. It can also help to smooth out wrinkles and creases throughout the whole neck region. It can also improve the appearance of vertical neckbands.

Most people who choose to have a neck lift or full facelift are between 40-60. However, they can be effective for older people as well.

What’s Recovery Like?

An overnight stay in hospital is usual following a neck lift. You will need to wear bandages around your face for a couple of days, and the stitches will stay in for up to eight days.

Most people can return to light activity after two weeks. Your doctor will advise you to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. Most of the swelling and soreness should have faded in around two weeks. That is when most people feel comfortable to start socialising again.

How Long Do Results Last?

You won’t get a full feel for the effects of your neck lift until around six to nine months after the operation. From this point onwards you neck will continue to age naturally and at the same rate as the rest of you face. This means you will keep a natural look that doesn’t seem out of place over time.

You can get a second neck lift at a later date if you feel you need it.

Is A Neck Lift Right For You?

A neck lift may be the right choice if you have a lot of loose skin, and your skin is not as elastic as it used to be. A neck lift is the best option for addressing excess skin. However, it is important to be aware that this option can be invasive, which can lead to longer recovery times.

Alternatively, if your skin laxity is not severe, then there are still non-invasive options available. For example, combining minimally invasive liposuction with a skin tightening treatment such as Renuvion, which is covered later in this post.

Neck Liposuction

Liposuction is a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A surgeon will remove a layer of subcutaneous fat from just beneath the skin. Doing this around the neck can remove the fat that causes a double chin in people who are at a healthy weight.

If the surgery is a VASER procedure, then a tiny incision is made to allow for the device to be inserted. The surgeon uses very precisely directed ultrasound to gently remove the fat so it can be sucked out. This is a much gentler and precise procedure than traditional liposuction and offers a quick recovery time.

Who Would Benefit From Neck Liposuction?

Neck liposuction is a good option for people who are at or near their ideal weight. People who find that no matter what they do they still have a fold of fat, giving them a double chin or have stubborn pockets of fat leading to jowls, are most likely to see good results from neck liposuction.

The very best results are achieved for people who have a good level of skin elasticity. So, neck liposuction is often a preferred choice for people under the age of 55.

Can I Have Neck Liposuction With Skin Laxity?

As many people look for minimally invasive options for shorter recovery times, aesthetic pioneers have come up with solutions to make minimally invasive options more suitable for a wider range of people. By combining VASER neck liposuction with a skin tightening treatment such as Renuivion, it is possible to get effective neck lift results, without the need for invasive surgery.

Renuvion skin tightening works by inserting a probe subdermally, using tiny incisions, and using a plasma solution that boosts collagen production while tightening the tissue to create a smoother, lifted effect.

Usually, VASER is only recommended for those with good skin elasticity. However, when combining Renuvion with VASER treatment, it is possible to achieve effective results for people with mild to moderate skin laxity. As always, it is best to consult with a VASER practitioner to determine whether it is the best option for you and your skin type.

What’s Recovery Like?

A good surgeon can complete a neck liposuction procedure through only one or two small incisions. This means that recovery is reasonably quick. Your doctor may advise you to wear a supportive chin strap for a few days; many people return to work at around the same time as they stop using the chin strap.

After the procedure, there will be some soreness and swelling. Bruising is also a common side effect. However, all of these symptoms should resolve themselves in around two weeks. At that point, you should be able to resume all your usual activities. You will also be able to see your final results at this point as well.

The two small incisions will likely leave small scars. However, they are minimal, and a skilled surgeon will choose their spots with care.

How Long Do Results Last?

As long as you maintain a healthy weight, the effects will be permanent. The fat will not return unless you gain a significant amount of weight.

Is Neck Liposuction Right For You?

Neck liposuction is a good option if you are a healthy weight but still have a double chin or more fullness around your neck that you would like. You will get better results if your skin is more elastic, so this is often a better choice for younger people, as well as those who aren’t keen on major surgery and want an option with minimal risks.

If skin elasticity is a concern, it is possible to combine neck liposuction with a skin tightening treatment such as Renuvion. This combination of minimally invasive treatments can be an effective choice for those who want the results of a neck lift but without having invasive surgery.

If you’d like to discuss which option is right for you, Hans Place Practice is happy to help in order to get you the results you want to see. To find out more, get in touch to book your consultation with our award-winning VASER liposuction practitioner, Dr Mike Comins.