Facelift and Necklift Sugery at Utah Facial Plastics
Have you been noticing changes in your face like jowling, sagging skin, or a loose neck? You have been thinking about doing something, but you aren’t quite sure what the best thing is to do. With so many options available, it can be tough to make a decision. Lasers, radio frequency treatments, or the minimally invasive procedure Facetite can improve laxity and promote tightening, but it may not be enough to give you the results you want or need. Surgical options to correct the face and neck will always give the best results when treating loose skin. Facelift and Necklift surgery sound very similar but are actually very different from one another. We will be breaking down each surgery and discuss what it entails. It is important that you know the difference when considering a surgical route.
A lot of individuals come to us with complaints of the central neck. They don’t like how their skin or tissue hangs too low, would like a more defined jawline, and want to know their options. When it comes to a necklift versus a traditional facelift, it is important to consider the recovery and what each procedure will improve.
Facelift Candidate
A candidate for a facelift is someone who presents with moderate to severe jowling, sagging skin, loss of muscle tone and fat in the face, and laxity in the neck and lower face. This procedure can take up to 15 years off an individual’s appearance, all while delivering natural-looking results. Facelifts are performed under general anesthesia and do require more downtime than a necklift.
Typical Facelift Recovery
There are a few more incisions because more than just the neck is being addressed. The incisions start in the temporal area and are very well hidden in the hairline extending behind the ears. Due to there being more incisions, along with facial and neck muscle work, a full recovery can take approximately 2-3 weeks.
Once healed, the results are incredible. Our patients are always very pleased with the outcome, looking like a refreshed, more youthful version of themselves. Even though the aging process continues, you will never look your true age. Because of this, facelifts have longer lasting benefits. If you have concerns with your face and neck, it’s usually best to address them as one unit.
Necklift Candidate
A direct necklift addresses central neck laxity that causes a “turkey neck”. A candidate for this surgery is typically someone who has jowling, drooping muscle and skin in the neck, and fat under the chin/central neck area. This procedure is less invasive than our traditional facelift and can be performed in-office under local anesthesia or general anesthesia if preferred.
What makes a necklift different from a facelift?
This type of necklift does not address the mid-face, therefore requires less incisions. The excess tissue is removed, where muscle and skin are sutured together in the midline, which leaves a scar down the center of the neck.
Recovery is shorter than our traditional facelift and it very different. Because the incision is directly on the middle of the neck, head movements are very limited until the incision is completely healed. The scar usually heals very well but can also be more noticeable as it is vertically under the chin and neck. The results can leave patients with a very natural, sculpted neck. This procedure is more common for men who are looking to improve a turkey neck, as most women want to improve their mid face along with neck concerns.
Facelifts are more invasive than a necklift, addressing more of the overall area as well. It is always best to consult with a specialized facial cosmetic surgeon to determine what would be the best choice based on your concerns and anatomy.
If you are interested in either a facelift or necklift, please contact our office for a complimentary consultation or call us at 801-776-2220.