Hi! I am Dr M Szalay and today I am going to talk about neck lift.
Improving the appearance of the neck is a common reason why patients come to see me. Some patients are bothered by the appearance of their neck and wear a scarf to cover it up, which can be a bit inconvenient in a warm climate such as ours.
When it comes to sagging skin resulting from ageing, many individuals are more concerned about the looseness of their neck than their facial skin. Neck laxity also results in a loss of definition between the neck and jaw, resulting in a more aged appearance of the lower face.
There are some different techniques that can be used to tighten loose neck tissue.
Neck Liposuction
Neck Liposuction involves removing excess fat beneath the chin that is causing a loss of definition of your profile.
In order to be a good candidate for for neck liposuction, there needs to be good elasticity of the skin and this usually means that if you wish to have this procedure without also having a lifting procedure, you need to be less than 40.
Over the age of 40 neck liposuction can still be performed, but it is usually necessary to combine it with a tightening procedure listed below.
Minimally invasive neck lift
A minimally invasive neck lift involves using multiple fine sutures to lift and tighten the tissue of the neck. Excess skin is removed by an incision that carries backwards, behind the ear, into the hairline. The reason that I use this technique is that there is less undermining of the skin than more invasive neck lifts.
Does a minimally invasive neck lift need to be combined with a minimally invasive face lift?
Sometimes it may be necessary to combine a neck lift with a minimally invasive face lift. The reason for this is that the direction of the lift carries backwards, but it may also carry upwards on to the face. In order to achieve a blended result, it may be necessary to improve the loose facial tissues as well as the neck.
Sometimes a neck lift can be performed without a face lift. Dr Szalay can advise you of the options during your consultation.
Platysmal plication
The muscle of the neck is called the platysma. As this loosens, the neck sags and often 2 separate loose bands can be seen travelling downwards from beneath the chin.
A platysmal plication involves a small incision beneath the chin and tightening the platysma muscle with sutures under direct vision.
I find the platysmal plication procedure useful for patients who have early loosening of the neck, and sometimes for patients having revision neck surgery. If the neck loosening is more extensive, the minimally invasive neck lift is a more effective procedure.
Sometimes it can also be useful to combine a platysmal plication with a minimally invasive neck lift.
I have performed over 900 minimally invasive face and neck lifts. The following are a few of the neck lifts which I have performed.
* Results may vary among individuals. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. For more information visit http://www.precisioncosmetic.com.au