Neck Lift or Face Lift?

The curve and shape of the neck is a large part of facial aesthetics. The relationship of the neck to the lower third of the face is a basic factor in planning surgical rejuvenation. Most patients do not know the technical name of a neck lift. One technique is called a platysmaplasty. The platysmaplasty involves removing a small part of the muscle that extends from your collarbone to the angle of your jaw. This procedure removes that “turkey waddle” or double chin that many of us accrue as we get older. Platysmaplasty is only effective when the platysma muscle is sagging.

If one has excess fat and skin on the neck, platysmaplasty is combined with liposuction of the neck and surgical excision of the excess skin. This can dramatically improve your looks and take years off your appearance. To recontour the neck, it is important to find the actual location of the fat. The fat can be just under the skin or also under the playsma muscles. If there is fat under the muscles, superficial liposuction alone will not create the dramatic effect that you want. The fat on and between the platysma muscles must also be removed. Removing the fat alone will not correct for sagging platysma muscles either, hence the platysmaplasty. If you have sagging jowls, facial tissue or excess neck skin, platysmaplasty alone will not give optimal results. This is when a SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) lower Face Lift is required in order to attain harmony between the neck and the face.

To improve the jawline, the SMAS must also be lifted upward. In other words, a lower facelift will give the best results for the contour of the neck to restore harmony with the lower face. The isolated neck lift will not give the results wanted if there are significant jowls or loss of skin support from  the SMAS. My SmartLift Face Lift specifically addresses bands of the neck (platysma muscle) and the SMAS of the lower face. A SmartLift Face Lift can also include liposuction of the neck. This corrects for laxity of the whole lower face. The SmartLift Face Lift, at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center, will bring the neckline into position to create definition of the jawline with the right amount of tightening and restructuring. Arkansas patients can have, a complete facial rejuvenation also, at Little Rock Cosmetic  Surgery Center. Find if you are a candidate for a neck lift or lower face lift with a consultation.

Dr. Branman

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up a consultation at 501-227-0707