Neck Lift
A firm, youthful neck and jawline profile.
Op. Dr. Alperen Tekin · FEBOPRAS · TPRECD Member
- Plastic & Aesthetic Surgery Specialist
- TPRECD Member
- FEBOPRAS — European Board
- Personalised Planning
- Natural Results
Neck Lift: A Younger and Firmer Neck Appearance
Neck lift aesthetics is a plastic surgery applied to eliminate sagging and loosening in the neck area due to aging, weight gain and loss or genetic reasons. Since the neck is a complementary element of facial aesthetics, it is preferred by individuals who want a younger and firmer appearance.
What is Neck Lift?
The neck lift procedure aims to achieve a firmer, younger and aesthetic appearance by removing excess skin and fat tissue in the neck skin. At the same time, the muscle structure in the neck area is shaped and the contours are clarified. Neck lift is usually performed together with facelift operations to achieve a more harmonious aesthetic appearance.
Who is Suitable for Neck Lift?
Neck lift procedure is suitable for individuals who experience the following conditions:
- Sagging Skin People with loosening and sagging of the neck skin.
- Fat Accumulation The accumulation of excess fatty tissue under the neck.
- Double Chin Appearance: Individuals with double chin problem.
- Signs of Aging: Intense wrinkles and fine lines in the neck area.
- Genetic Factors: Those with a genetically loose neck structure.
How is Neck Lift Performed?
Neck lift surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia and takes 2-3 hours. The stages of the procedure are as follows:
- Planning The surgeon plans the necessary interventions by analyzing the neck region.
- Opening of Incisions: Incisions are usually made under the chin and hidden behind the ear.
- Reshaping of Fat Tissue and Muscles: Excess fat tissue in the neck is removed and the muscles are repositioned.
- Stretching the Skin and Removal of Excess: The sagging skin is stretched and the excess is removed.
- Stitches and Healing: The incisions are closed with aesthetic sutures and the procedure is completed.
Recovery Process After Neck Lift
The healing process after neck lift is usually completed within a few weeks. Things to be considered after the procedure are as follows:
- It is recommended to keep your head upright for the first few days.
- Mild swelling and bruising may occur; these usually resolve within 7-10 days.
- The surgical site should be cared for as prescribed by the doctor.
- Intense physical activities should be avoided for 4-6 weeks.
Neck Lift Advantages
- It removes sagging and loosening and provides a younger appearance.
- It clarifies the jaw line and eliminates the double chin problem.
- It makes the skin look smooth and firm.
- It creates an aesthetic harmony between the face and neck.
Risks and Side Effects
Neck lift surgery is a safe procedure, but some side effects may occur:
Such conditions usually resolve quickly as long as the doctor’s instructions are followed.
- Temporary swelling and bruising.
- Risk of infection (very rare).
- Sensitivity or numbness.
Four Separate Causes of a Changed Neckline
Four people who say “my neck is sagging” often have four different problems, each with its own solution:
- Excess and loose skin: The skin has lost elasticity and folds under the chin. Addressed by lifting.
- Fat accumulation: Fat collected beneath the chin. If skin elasticity is good, removing fat alone may be enough.
- Platysmal bands: The thin muscle sheet of the neck separates in the midline and stands out as two vertical cords, more visible on speaking and turning the head. Skin treatments will not correct this; the muscle must be repaired.
- A set-back chin: Because of the bony structure, a neck angle may never have formed. In these people the line will not sharpen even after fat removal.
Most people have several of these together. The first task at examination is to separate how much each contributes; a method chosen without identifying the source will not deliver the expected result.
Why Platysma Repair Matters
This is the technical point that determines how long the result lasts.
The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle covering the front of the neck. With age its midline junction loosens and the muscle separates. The resulting vertical bands are the real reason the under-chin angle disappears.
- Lifting skin only: The loosened muscle beneath stays where it is. The result is short-lived and the bands become prominent again over time.
- Repairing the muscle as well: The separated muscle edges are rejoined in the midline, restoring the neck’s own internal support. The under-chin angle then becomes durably defined.
This is why a neck lift is not simply “skin tightening”. The procedure is often planned in the same session as a face lift, because the tissues of the face and neck are continuous and correcting only one can create a mismatch at the transition.
Healing and Who Is Not Suitable
Healing: Swelling, tightness and mild discomfort on swallowing are expected in the first days. Using the supportive dressing matters for how quickly swelling settles. Temporary changes in sensation may occur in the neck. Return to social settings is possible within a few weeks; full settling of the line takes months.
Not suitable when:
- The problem is fat accumulation only and skin elasticity is good — a less invasive option may be enough
- Chin position is the real issue
- There is uncontrolled systemic illness
- Smoking continues — neck skin is thin, so the risk of circulatory problems is significant
- An active weight-loss process is ongoing
Because ageing continues, tissues may loosen again over the years; weight stability and sun protection extend the life of the result.
What Is a “Turkey Neck”, and Can Surgery Fix It?
“Turkey neck” is the everyday term for loose, hanging skin under the chin and along the front of the neck — named for the resemblance to a wattle. It is not a medical diagnosis, and people use it to describe several different things.
That is why the first step is working out which of these you actually have:
- Loose skin with vertical cords: The classic picture. The thin neck muscle (platysma) has separated in the midline and its edges stand out as two bands, most visible when you speak or turn your head. Skin treatments will not correct this — the muscle itself must be repaired.
- Excess skin without prominent bands: Skin has lost elasticity, often after weight loss. Removing the excess is what is needed.
- Fullness from fat: If skin elasticity is still good, addressing the fat alone may be enough.
- A recessed chin: If the jaw sits back, the neck angle may never have been defined. Here neither skin nor fat is the real issue.
What creams and exercises can and cannot do: neck exercises strengthen muscle but do not shorten loose skin, and no topical product tightens a separated platysma. Where the bands are established, surgery is the only approach that addresses the cause.
Most people have more than one component together, and the plan follows from separating them at examination.
Neck Lift Prices
The cost of neck lift surgery may vary depending on the experience of the surgeon, the location of the clinic and the techniques used during the procedure. It is recommended to consult a specialist to get exact price information.
A neck lift is an ideal solution for achieving an aesthetic neck appearance and creating harmony between the face and neck. Performed by an experienced surgeon, this procedure offers natural and long-lasting results.
Your Treatment Journey
From your first message to full recovery, we are with you.
First Contact
Message us on WhatsApp — we listen and answer your questions the same day.
Consultation & Planning
A personalised plan based on your expectations and examination findings.
Surgery
Your personalised procedure is performed comfortably under appropriate anaesthesia.
Recovery & Follow-up
We stay with you through regular check-ups at every step of recovery.
Op. Dr. Alperen Tekin
Specialist in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery. The goal: planning the most suitable result for your anatomy and expectations while preserving your natural look. Every option is discussed openly at your consultation, with a road map tailored to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Suitability is assessed together, based on your expectations, general health and examination findings.
After the first contact, a consultation and personalised planning follow; after surgery we monitor you with regular check-ups.
Recovery varies from person to person and with the scope of the procedure; a personal road map is clarified at your consultation.
Pricing is personalised according to the scope of the procedure; exact information is shared after consultation. Feel free to message us on WhatsApp with your first questions.
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Let us answer your questions on WhatsApp — take the first step toward your personal assessment.
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