The neck is one area of the body that can quickly betray our age. It is also regularly left out of our beauty regime. This is partly because while there are hundreds of products that focus on addressing signs of aging on the face, there are far less that are available to resolve the impact that getting older has on our neck. 

What happens to our neck as we get older?

As we age, certain changes take place inside our bodies. One of the changes that has the biggest effect on our skin is the slow-down in our natural production of collagen and elastin, the fibers that support its structure.

Collagen gives our skin its firmness and thickness, while elastin helps keep it tight and youthful looking. Unsurprisingly, when our bodies make less of these compounds, the quality and appearance of our skin begins to suffer. 

When it comes to our neck, aging tends to cause three physical changes. Firstly, the skin thins. Estimates suggest that we lose between 20% and 80% of the thickness of our skin during our lifetime.

Aside from our eyelids, the skin on our neck is already the thinnest anywhere on our body, and this means that by the time you take age-related changes into account, it is little surprise our neck ends up looking more crepe-like by the day. 

Two other problems with our neck include sagging muscles and bulging fat. These are also inevitable side effects of aging, but when our thinning skin is incapable of holding them in place, the effects are even more pronounced, and folds of fat and muscle collect, creating an effect known as the “turkey neck”. 

Fortunately, there is a solution that can turn back the clock and restore your confidence – a neck lift.

What is a neck lift?

A neck lift is a type of cosmetic surgery that address wrinkles and sagging skin on the neck caused by aging, or in some cases, dramatic weight loss.

During the procedure, we will tighten the underlying muscles which will also improve the contour of the jaw line. Then once the skin over the top is pulled tight, any excess fat and skin will be removed. The result is a neck and jaw line that is taught, smooth and more youthful in appearance. 

A neck lift is often performed in conjunction with a facelift, enabling the patient to make improvements to the skin on their face at the same time. However, it is entirely possible to arrange a neck lift as a standalone treatment.

Am I a good candidate for a neck lift?

Before you can be approved for any type of cosmetic surgery procedure, you will first need to attend a consultation appointment. This meeting is not only a chance for you to meet our surgeon and find out more about the procedure but will also be the time where we assesses your candidacy.

This will involve a physical examination of the neck and jaw, questions about your general health and any medications that you are taking, and a discussion about your hopes and expectations for the procedure. 

You will also discuss what happens during the recovery phase of your treatment, as we will need to feel reassured that you are prepared to commit to the recovery requirements, which typically include:

• Wearing a compression garment
• Taken medications as prescribed
• Sleeping with your head elevated for a period of time
•  Avoiding tobacco use for at least three weeks after surgery
• Taking the relevant amount of time out of work/recreational activities

Using this information gained at your consultation, we can decide if you are a suitable candidate for a neck lift procedure. 

If you would like to find out more information about a neck lift, or you would like to schedule a consultation with our knowledgeable and experienced plastic surgeons, call our office today at 337-226-0400.