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cosmetic surgery
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.
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.
Specialty-board certifications and facility-level accreditations relevant to this procedure. Verify on the issuer's public register before booking — most issuers publish a searchable directory.
ISAPS member surgeon
Issuer International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Individual surgeon membership; requires national-board certification in plastic surgery plus peer endorsement.
Verify on the issuer's register →National plastic-surgery board certification
Issuer Country-specific (e.g. ABPS in US, BAAPS in UK, SBCP in Brazil, KSPRS in South Korea, ASPRS in Australia)
Specialty-board certification in plastic surgery from the surgeon's country of practice. The single most important credential for any cosmetic or reconstructive procedure.
Verify on the issuer's register →Average recovery for Neck Lift is 0 days. Individual recovery varies — always follow your surgeon’s specific guidance.
Immediate
First 24–48 hours post-procedure. Monitoring, anaesthesia recovery, initial pain management. Most clinics expect you to remain on-site or nearby.
Early recovery
Wound care, swelling or bruising peaks, restricted activity. Typical window for follow-up visits and drain removal if applicable. Travel is usually not advised.
Intermediate recovery
Gradual return to non-strenuous daily activity. Many international patients fly home during this window. Surgeon may require medical clearance for long-haul travel.
Full recovery
Return to full activity, exercise, and work. Final results may still be settling. Final follow-up with local doctor recommended.
Browse all destinations offering Neck Lift→Detailed cost breakdown →
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other cosmetic surgery procedures in our registry