Looking in the mirror and seeing changes like jowls, loose skin, or a softening jawline often leads to a big question: Should you consider a facelift, or is a neck lift the best choice? At Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists, our board-certified surgeons help patients make confident choices by explaining the purpose and benefits of each approach.
Here’s what to know about each surgery.
What a Facelift Can Do
A facelift addresses aging in the mid-to-lower face. It targets sagging skin, deep nasolabial folds (smile lines), and loose skin along the jawline. Your surgeon can also lift and restore the fibrous tissue layer over the facial muscles for a deep, lasting correction.
Today’s facelift techniques are far more advanced than ever before. Our surgeons use refined, natural-looking methods rather than pulling the skin tight. Incisions are well hidden within the hairline and behind the ears. The ultimate result? Smoother, firmer skin with a face that still looks like you.
For those in the early stages of aging, the lunchtime lift may be an appealing option. This less invasive procedure can improve mild skin laxity and early jowling with minimal downtime. It’s not a replacement for a full facelift, but for the right candidate, it offers a gentle refresh that can delay the need for more extensive surgery.
It’s also important to know what a facelift can’t do: It doesn’t improve the appearance of the neck. So, if you have loose, sagging skin in both the face and the neck but only schedule a facelift, your face and neck may look mismatched.
Why a Neck Lift May Be the Answer
If your face still looks youthful and you’re not concerned about sagging skin, but your neck is aging rapidly, a neck lift may be the solution.
In this procedure, your surgeon removes extra neck skin, repairs the platysma muscles underneath, and gently elevates the remaining skin to achieve a firmer neck and more sculpted profile.
Just as with a facelift, a neck lift has its limitations: It doesn’t significantly change the appearance of your face.
Combination Facelift and Neck Lift
Facial and neck aging rarely happens in isolation. That’s why many patients opt to have both procedures simultaneously. A combined facelift and neck lift can restore harmony to the entire lower face and neckline, producing more complete and balanced results.
Our surgeons at Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists often perform this combination procedure in our fully accredited, state-of-the-art outpatient surgical center. This offers the beautiful, youthful results you want with the additional benefit of a single recovery period.
Our surgeons, who have been repeatedly recognized as Top Doctors by Atlanta Magazine, provide honest and expert evaluations to help determine the best course of action.
Facelift and Neck Lift Consultations in Atlanta and Alpharetta
Atlanta Plastic & Reconstructive Specialists offers surgery consultations with our experts to help you determine which option is best for your unique features and goals. Call our office or reach out online to book an appointment.