# Neck Lift

> Citation bundle for Neck Lift on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/neck-lift
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/neck-lift

- Category: cosmetic-surgery

## Description

A facelift, technically known as a rhytidectomy, is a type of cosmetic surgery procedure intended to give a more youthful facial appearance. There are multiple surgical techniques.

## Overview

A neck lift is a surgical procedure to rejuvenate the appearance of the neck and jawline, closely related to the facelift (rhytidectomy) and using the same family of techniques. Ageing of the lower face and neck is driven largely by changes in the deeper structures, notably drooping (ptosis) of the platysma muscle of the neck, which produces the appearance of jowls and a broken jaw line, together with descent of cheek fat and laxity of the overlying skin. Surgery generally involves removing excess skin, with or without tightening of the underlying tissues, and re-draping the skin of the face and neck for a smoother, more youthful contour. In a traditional approach, an incision is made in front of the ear and curved around and behind it, usually ending near the hairline at the back of the neck; the skin is then separated (undermined) over the cheeks and neck so that the deeper fibromuscular layer, the superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS), which is continuous with the platysma in the neck, can be tightened with sutures, with or without removing some excess deeper tissue. The excess skin is then trimmed and the incisions closed with sutures and staples. The procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia or deep 'twilight' sedation, and can be effectively combined with eyelid surgery and other facial procedures. Because it addresses skin and deeper tissue rather than volume alone, a neck lift targets sagging and laxity of the neck and jawline rather than lost fullness.

## Common risks

- Bleeding and hematoma, most often within the first 24 hours after surgery
- Injury to sensory or motor nerves, with the great auricular nerve the most commonly injured
- Skin flap necrosis, with the risk markedly increased in smokers
- Infection
- Scarring, including hypertrophic scars
- Reaction to the anaesthetic

## FAQs

### What does a neck lift address?

It rejuvenates the neck and jawline. Ageing there is shown by drooping of the platysma muscle, producing jowls and a broken jaw line, together with loose skin. Surgery removes excess skin and, where needed, tightens the underlying tissue and re-drapes the skin.

### How is a neck lift performed?

In a traditional approach an incision is made in front of the ear, curving around and behind it toward the neck hairline. The skin is undermined over the cheeks and neck so the deeper SMAS layer, continuous with the platysma, can be tightened before excess skin is removed.

### What anaesthesia is used?

The procedure is typically performed under general anaesthesia or deep 'twilight' sleep. As with any operation, a reaction to the anaesthetic is one of the possible complications.

### Can a neck lift be combined with other procedures?

Yes. It belongs to the same family of surgery as the facelift and can be effectively combined with eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) and other facial procedures.

### What are the main risks?

The most common complication is bleeding, and hematoma is frequently seen, usually within the first 24 hours. Other risks include nerve injury, particularly to the great auricular nerve, skin necrosis, infection and scarring.

### Does smoking affect the outcome?

Yes. Smoking substantially increases the risk of skin necrosis after this type of surgery, so it is an important factor to discuss with the surgeon before the procedure.