A deep neck lift, also called a deep contouring neck lift, is performed under general anaesthesia, usually with one night in hospital. It treats the deeper layers of the neck, not only the skin, and is very often combined with a deep plane facelift.
The anterior neck lift is its counterpart for necks with no excess skin, in the same way that the short scar deep plane facelift is the counterpart of the full deep plane facelift.
This is the most common approach. Through an incision of about 3 cm in the natural crease under the chin, the deep fat beneath the platysma muscle is reduced, together with the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles and the lower part of the submandibular glands where they are prominent. The platysma muscles are then tightened in the centre of the neck.
The skin is then redraped through the facelift incisions around the ears, and only the excess is removed. Combined with a deep plane facelift, this gives a continuous, well-defined line from the jaw to the neck.
When the skin of the neck is still fairly elastic, the same deep work under the chin can be combined with a short scar deep plane facelift.
The incisions then stay mainly in front of the ear and around the ear lobe, with little or no scar behind the ear.
When the skin is elastic but the neck lacks definition, usually for hereditary reasons, the anterior neck lift reduces volume through an incision of about 3 cm under the chin. The fat under the skin and the deeper fat beneath the platysma are reduced, together with the anterior bellies of the digastric muscles and the lower part of the submandibular glands.
There is no skin tightening, because there is no excess skin. This is a very important part of Mr Ion's practice. Because of the thicker skin and the beard, it can also suit some men later in life.
Your plan is set at consultation, taking into account your features and what you would like to change, as well as your concerns and general health. Every plan is based on a 3D assessment of the face and neck.
Learn more about neck lift planningA deep neck lift, alone or combined with a facelift, is performed under general anaesthesia with one night in hospital, to support the first part of your recovery.
An anterior neck lift can often be performed as a day case.
Learn more about recoveryDrains are not used. Where needed, quilting sutures hold the skin against the tissues beneath it, so that fluid cannot collect.
If used, they are removed three days after surgery. You can, and should, wash your hair from the next day.
A light dressing is used for the first night only.
After that, a soft compression garment is worn after both the anterior and the deep neck lift, to support the neck and help the swelling settle. You will be told how long to wear it.
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