How to Get Rid of a Sagging Neck
Visible aging in the neck can affect how we feel about our overall appearance. Particularly, sagging skin, vertical banding, or a soft jawline can make us look older or heavier than we feel. These unwelcome changes tend to emerge gradually and can become more prominent with time.
Fortunately, a variety of surgical and non-surgical solutions can be employed to lift, contour, and refine the neck and jawline. In this post, our fellowship-trained Philadelphia plastic surgeon explains what causes neck aging and how various treatment options can reverse these effects for a slimmer, more aesthetically pleasing profile.
What Causes a Sagging Neck?
As the body ages, the skin loses elasticity and the underlying muscles can weaken, allowing tissue to loosen and descend. This can be especially noticeable in the neck, where the platysma muscle plays a significant role in supporting the area beneath the chin and jawline.
Over time, these changes may result in:
- Vertical neck banding or “cords”
- Excess skin
- Accumulated fat deposits under the chin (known as “submental fullness”)
- Loss of definition along the jawline
Genetics, sun exposure, weight fluctuations, and additional phenomena can accelerate the process. Moreover, while good skin care and a healthy lifestyle can slow the visible effects of aging, they cannot fully address moderate to advanced sagging.
Neck Lift Surgery
For patients seeking a long-lasting, sculpted neck contour, neck lift surgery can offer the most definitive solution. This procedure aims to eliminate excess skin and fat, tighten the platysma muscle, and restore definition from chin to collarbone.
Full Neck Lift
A traditional neck lift is typically performed under general anesthesia at an accredited surgical center or hospital. During the surgery, Dr. DiBello makes discreet incisions (usually behind the ears and beneath the chin) through which he can remove or redistribute fat, tighten the platysma muscle, and trim excess skin. In the majority of cases, the result is a smoother, firmer neckline with improved contour and definition.
Mini Neck Lift
Patients with earlier or less prominent signs of aging in the neck often benefit from a more conservative option: the “mini” neck lift. Involving a single incision hidden behind the ear, this focused technique can lift and tighten the posterior neck and jawline, combat mild to moderate sagging, and provide an efficient and targeted path to rejuvenation. At our practice, Dr. DiBello frequently performs the mini neck lift under local anesthesia in our office.
Facelift Surgery
While a neck lift targets the jawline and below, sagging skin in the mid-face and jowls may also contribute to an “aged” effect. In these cases, Dr. DiBello may recommend incorporating facelift techniques.
Dr. DiBello is proficient in the advanced “deep plane” facelift strategy, which involves a complex reworking of the fibrous network of tissue beneath the face and neck. With meticulous skill and a polished sense of artistry, he can use the deep plane method to reposition the deeper facial tissue and reduce the severity of excess skin and fat. When combined with a neck lift, a facelift can dramatically enhance the profile and reduce sagging.
Other Facial Procedures
Suction-Assisted Liposuction (SAL)
In patients with good skin tone and laxity, liposuction may be enough to address sagging in the neck. Using a technique known as suction-assisted liposuction (SAL), Dr. DiBello can selectively remove pockets of fat beneath the chin and along the jawline.
Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty)
A sagging neck often coincides with aging in other facial areas. Eyelid surgery, also called blepharoplasty, can rejuvenate the upper and/or lower eyelids, restoring a brighter and more rested aesthetic. This procedure is frequently paired with a facelift or neck lift for full-face revitalization.
Brow Lift Surgery
Drooping brows can make the eyes appear tired and the upper face look heavy. A brow lift can subtly elevate the outer brow to open the eyes and complement the refreshed look created through neck lift and facelift surgery.
Achieve a Smoother, More Youthful Look
As a renowned board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. DiBello is known for his precise techniques and personalized approach to each procedure. When performing facial enhancement surgery, he strives not only to improve the neck and facial contours, but to ensure that patients look like the best version of themselves (as opposed to “overdone” or “operated on”).
If you would like to ease sagging and rejuvenate your lower face, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. DiBello. During your visit, he will take the time to answer your questions, assess your anatomy, and recommend the best course of action to help you achieve your vision.
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