The neck and jaw line are critically important features of the adult face, and telltale signs of advancing age are often first noticed in these areas. A less invasive alternative to a facelift, the procedure can produce dramatic results in the patient whose chin and/or neck has sagged with age or after weight loss.
The procedures discussed below are targeted to produce a more youthful and natural look with minimally invasive, targeted therapy.
Neck Liposuction
As people age, gravity and time can cause the skin to sag, leading to the formation of jowls and slack skin around the neck. Neck liposuction can dramatically reduce this prominent sign of aging by creating a more youthful neck and jaw line. Since skin retains much of its elasticity as we age, the neck and jaw can be reshaped by removing excess fat from the neck and cheeks through small incisions under the chin. The skin then re-drapes itself along the jaw line for a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing appearance. This is performed under local anesthetic in the office.
Platysma Repair
Some individuals, particularly women, will develop linear vertical ridges on the neck that are known as platysmal bands. The platysma is a thin muscular sheet located just under the skin. With time, the fibers of this muscle can weaken, causing prominent midline bands as well as the appearance of a loose, shapeless neck. Repair of the platysma muscle can dramatically improve the contour and shape of the neck. At the conclusion of the liposuction procedure, the platysma muscle can be tightened through a small incision that is hidden under the chin. A few well-placed sutures under the skin help to tighten the muscle, and the shape of the neck is restored to a more youthful appearance.
Neck Lift
Patients with excess skin at the jawline and neck and a poorly defined jawline are good candidates for a neck lift. An incision is made in front of the ear and extended under and behind the ear to remove excess skin. Care is taken to camouflage the scar to the greatest extent possible. Sutures are placed under the skin for tightening.
