Only Faces offers neck lift procedures from a top facial plastic surgeon in Charlotte. Dr. Sean Freeman is a double-board-certified professional with decades of experience and excellent skills. In every neck lift, he aims to rejuvenate the appearance without making a patient’s skin look stretched or “operated on.” Dr. Freeman uses state-of-the-art techniques refined through many years of experience. As a renowned specialist in facial procedures, he achieves perfect results that look natural and beautiful.
A neck lift is a cosmetic surgical procedure that improves visible signs of aging in the neck area. It typically involves incisions under the chin and/or behind the ears to tighten loose skin and muscles. Excess fat may also be removed or repositioned during this surgery. Trimming redundant muscle is sometimes needed. Should a salivary gland, known as the submandibular gland, be visible in your upper neck, Dr. Freeman may recommend shaving part of the gland. He is one of the first facial plastic specialists in the country to publish this procedure. The average length of the procedure is two to four hours. After the incisions are closed, the neck will appear smoother, tighter, and more youthful.
This procedure tightens the neck muscles and trims them if needed, sculpts excess fat, addresses visible submandibular gland tissue and removes excess skin behind the ears. The procedure requires an incision mainly behind the ears and under the chin. The preservation deep plane neck lift is performed typically for older patients. This procedure allows Dr. Freeman to create a much more youthful appearance for patients with aging necks.
A direct neck lift is designed for younger patients who do not need a deep plane neck lift and present with mild or moderate fullness of the neck with minimal laxity of neck skin and muscle. This surgery involves making an incision under the chin and doing liposculpture neck fat and tightening of the neck muscle known as the medial platysma. Healing after surgery is not as involved as a deep plane neck lift.
Neck lifts are often performed in conjunction with a deep plane preservation facelift. This additional procedure rejuvenates the face above the neck and below the eyes. With the deep plane preservation facelift, patients heal faster and look naturally younger, making for a smooth transition from the face to the neck.
Those considering a neck lift should be in good overall health. Blood clotting disorders, heart disease, and other severe medical conditions can make the surgery and recovery more complex or dangerous. Good health supports proper healing.
Ideal candidates for a neck lift have relatively high skin elasticity. With the preservation technique, patients with less than perfect skin elasticity can still expect very good results.
Ideal candidates have realistic expectations about the potential results of this surgery. While the neck lift aims to reduce sagging skin and refine contours, the changes that can be achieved are limited. Candidates should understand that genetics and age impact the outcomes.
Patients who smoke are generally not good candidates for a neck lift. Nicotine severely slows the healing process and increases the risks of complications, such as skin necrosis. Dr. Freeman requires patients to avoid smoking for at least several weeks before and after surgery.