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Facial Rejuvenation

Neck Lift
Restore a sharper, more youthful neck contour.

A neck lift improves what is known as the cervicomental angle, which is the transition between the chin and the neck. When this angle softens with age, the entire profile can look older. Tightening this area can turn back the clock in a very natural way. Many patients describe it as one of the most confidence-boosting changes they can make. The neck ages through a combination of loose skin, weakened muscle, and fat both above and below the platysma. Because no exercise can tighten these deeper layers, a neck lift becomes the most complete way to restore definition. The procedure refines skin, repairs separated muscle bands, and removes excess fat to create a smoother, sharper neck line.
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Duration 2-3 Hours
Anesthesia General
Downtime 1-2 Weeks
Results Permanent
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Benefits of a Neck Lift

Sharper Cervicomental Angle

The angle between the chin and neck becomes more defined. Tightening this area can dramatically rejuvenate the profile, often creating an immediate sense of youthfulness when viewed from the side.

Improves Loose Skin and Muscle Laxity

The neck ages through changes in skin and weakening of the platysma muscle. A neck lift addresses both, smoothing lax skin and reuniting the separated muscle bands that create vertical neck lines.

Removes Fat Above and Below the Muscle

Liposuction can only treat fat above the muscle. A neck lift allows removal of fat under direct vision, including fat that sits beneath the platysma, which is not reachable with liposuction alone.

A Noticeable Yet Natural Transformation

By improving the architecture of the neck rather than pulling the skin tight, the result looks natural. Patients often describe it as one of the most confidence-enhancing procedures they have ever had.

Expected Results

As swelling fades, the neck shows a clearer transition from the chin to the collar region. Most patients notice that the side profile looks dramatically younger because the cervicomental angle has been restored. The repaired platysma muscle provides long term support, while the removal of deeper fat sharpens the contour.

More Youthful Profile

By tightening the central neck and restoring muscle support, the profile regains a crisp angle that is often lost with age.

Refined Muscle Tone

Platysma repair eliminates midline banding and creates a smooth central neck, one of the most reliable signs of a youthful neckline.

Smoother Skin Drape

Loose skin is redraped without tension. The neck appears firmer but never pulled.

Technical Specifications

How a Neck Lift Works

The neck ages through several layers. A neck lift treats each layer in the sequence that produces the most natural result.

01

Understanding the Cervicomental Angle

The youthful neck has a clear angle where the chin meets the neck. When skin loosens, fat accumulates, or the platysma muscle separates, this angle becomes soft or obtuse. Recreating this angle is the core purpose of a neck lift and is responsible for the dramatic rejuvenation patients often see.

02

Fat Removal Under Direct Vision

Fat exists both above and below the platysma muscle. Liposuction can only reach the superficial layer. During a neck lift, deeper fat is removed safely under direct visualization, allowing more precise contouring that cannot be achieved with liposuction alone.

03

Platysma Muscle Tightening (Platysmaplasty)

With age, the paired platysma muscles separate down the center and weaken. This creates visible banding and contributes to a heavy neck. Reuniting and tightening these muscles restores support and sharpens the neck angle. This step is essential for long lasting results.

04

When Liposuction Alone Is Not Enough

During consultation, Dr. Neavin evaluates skin elasticity and muscle tone. If liposuction can meaningfully improve the contour, it is preferred because it is less invasive. But when loose skin or muscle separation exists, a neck lift becomes the appropriate treatment.

Patient Profile

Candidates

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates often include individuals with:

  • A softened or poorly defined neck angle
  • Loose or inelastic neck skin
  • Prominent vertical muscle bands
  • Fullness under the chin, especially when the fat lies beneath the muscle
  • A desire for long term structural improvement rather than surface tightening

Men often notice aging in this area early and are particularly good candidates because the neck profile strongly influences how age is perceived.

Not Ideal Candidates

A neck lift may not be ideal for:

  • Patients whose primary concern is sun damage or pigmentation only
  • Individuals expecting improvement from liposuction when muscle banding or loose skin is present
  • Candidates with unrealistic expectations about how tight a neck can safely be made
  • People who want a minor change despite significant anatomical aging that requires a deeper repair
Learn More About The Procedure

Video Insights

Estimated Investment
$12,000 and up
Your surgical fee depends on whether a full neck lift is needed or if liposuction alone can achieve the goals. The complexity of muscle repair and the amount of fat removal also influence the cost. A personalized quote is provided after examination.
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Why the Neck Ages Faster

01

Understanding the Unique Anatomy

The neck has thinner skin and fewer supportive structures than the face. Combined with muscle separation and deeper fat that cannot be treated with liposuction alone, the neck often shows aging earlier and more dramatically. This is why tightening the entire architecture, not just the skin, creates such a noticeable improvement.

Surgery Day Journey

Consultation and Assessment

Dr. Neavin evaluates skin elasticity, muscle position, and whether fat exists above or below the muscle. This determines whether liposuction, a neck lift, or a combination is needed.

Day of Surgery

Anesthesia is administered. Incisions are placed discreetly. Fat is removed under direct vision. The platysma is repaired and tightened. Excess skin is redraped for a smooth contour.

Early Recovery

You may experience a sensation of tightness as the muscles heal. Swelling improves each day. Follow up visits ensure the results are progressing well.
The Artisan Promise

Comprehensive
Aftercare Support

Proper aftercare protects the repair and supports smooth healing.

Support and Elevation

Sleeping with the head elevated reduces swelling and protects the tightened muscle.

Activity Adjustments

Avoid bending, lifting, and strenuous motion early on. Gentle movement is encouraged.

Monitoring Healing

Temporary numbness or tightness is expected. Contact the office with any concerns so adjustments can be made promptly.

Healing Timeline

Every patient heals differently, but this timeline offers a general guide for your return to daily life.

Days 1-3

Expect swelling and a feeling of tightness. Elevating your head is important. Light walking is allowed. The neck may feel firm as the deeper tissues begin to heal.

Days 4 to 10

Bruising fades. Most patients return to daily activities. The repaired platysma may feel snug which is normal during early healing.

Weeks 2 to 6

Swelling continues to decrease and the contour becomes more defined. Exercise can usually be resumed gradually.

Beyond 6 Weeks

The neck appears smoother and more sculpted. Muscle repair provides long term support and the profile continues to refine as tissues settle.

Safety &
Potential Risks

A neck lift is considered safe when performed by a surgeon trained in the anatomy of the neck. Because the platysma, deeper fat, and surrounding structures require precision, the procedure should be performed by an experienced specialist.

Important Considerations

  • Temporary swelling or bruising
  • Tightness or mild discomfort
  • Numbness that improves over time
  • Infection or delayed healing
  • Visible banding if the muscle is not repaired adequately
  • Rare contour irregularity
  • Extremely rare nerve injury

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the neck age so visibly?
The neck ages through loose skin, muscle separation, and fat that sits both above and below the platysma. Because deeper fat cannot be treated with liposuction alone and no exercise can tighten the muscle, the changes become very noticeable over time.
Can liposuction replace a neck lift?
Liposuction helps when the issue is only fat above the muscle. But if loose skin, deeper fat, or muscle banding exists, liposuction will not fix the problem. In these cases, a neck lift is the correct treatment.
What makes the profile look younger after a neck lift?
Restoring the cervicomental angle dramatically enhances the side profile. This angle is one of the main indicators of age in both men and women.
Do muscle bands always require repair?
Yes, when the platysma has separated. Reuniting and tightening the muscle is essential for a lasting result and a smoother midline.
Is the result natural?
Yes. Because the deeper structures are restored rather than pulled, the improvement looks refined, balanced, and never artificial.
Dr. Tim Neavin
The Artisan

Artistry Meets
Surgical Precision

A neck lift is more than simple skin tightening. It requires a surgeon who understands how the skin, fat, and platysma muscle change with age. Dr. Tim Neavin evaluates each of these structures during consultation to determine whether liposuction alone is appropriate or if a full neck lift is the better approach.

Liposuction can help when the issue is mainly fat, but it cannot correct loose skin, muscle separation, or fat beneath the muscle. When these deeper issues are present, Dr. Neavin performs a neck lift under direct vision. This allows him to remove the appropriate amount of fat and repair the platysma muscle, which often separates over time and contributes to a heavy or obtuse neck angle.

Dr. Neavin’s philosophy focuses on natural refinement rather than aggressive pulling. His technique restores the cervicomental angle in a balanced way, keeping the result elegant and true to your facial structure.

Diplomate American Board of
Plastic Surgery
Philosophy "Surgery with
Symmetry"

Beverly Hills & Santa Barbara

Start Your Transformation

Schedule your private consultation with Dr. Neavin today.

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