A softer jawline can have several causes: loose skin, fullness beneath the chin, or changes in the muscles that support the neck. A neck lift addresses the structures responsible for that loss of definition.
At Coastline Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, Dr. Brandyn Dunn evaluates the face and neck together. Your treatment plan reflects your anatomy, the changes you want to make, and the features you want to preserve.
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A neck lift, or lower rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to improve visible signs of aging in the neck and jawline. During the surgery, Dr. Dunn tightens loose neck muscles, removes excess skin, and may incorporate liposuction to eliminate unwanted fat deposits. The result is a smoother, firmer, and more youthful neck contour that complements your overall facial appearance. Patients can choose from various techniques, including traditional neck lifts and limited-incision neck lifts, depending on the extent of correction needed and their aesthetic goals.
On the day of your Newport Beach neck lift surgery, you’ll be comfortably sedated under general anesthesia. Dr. Dunn begins by making carefully placed incisions, typically around the ears. In some cases, a second incision is created under the chin. He then tightens and repositions the neck muscles, removes or redistributes fat, and trims any excess skin. Dr. Dunn closes the incisions with attention to skin tension and scar placement. The neck lift procedure usually takes 2-3 hours. You will be able to return home the same day with a friend or family member to drive you.
A neck lift can address several signs of aging in the neck:
Candidates for a neck lift should be in good overall health. Smokers must be willing to quit well in advance of the surgery in order to promote proper healing. A neck lift is beneficial for those who are bothered by sagging skin, muscle banding, or excess fat in the neck area. During your consultation with Dr. Dunn, he will determine if a neck lift is the correct procedure for you and discuss any medical conditions that may impact your eligibility.
The right treatment starts with identifying what you see in the mirror. Vertical neck bands, fine surface lines, and hanging skin have different causes. A treatment that helps one concern may leave another unchanged. Nonsurgical care can suit patients whose main concerns involve muscle activity, skin texture, or a small contour refinement. A neck lift becomes a stronger option when excess skin and deeper tissue laxity account for the change in your neckline.
Botox can soften the appearance of platysma bands by reducing activity in the broad, thin muscle beneath the neck skin. It may be worth considering when visible muscle bands are the main concern and there is little excess skin.
The effect wears off, so maintaining it requires repeat treatment. Botox does not remove fat or excess skin. Neck injections also require careful assessment and placement because treatment can affect nearby muscles involved in swallowing. Discuss your medical history and any swallowing or breathing problems before treatment.
Fine lines and uneven pigmentation call for a different conversation. Coastline offers CO2 laser skin resurfacing to improve selected skin concerns. During your consultation, Dr. Dunn can assess which areas are suitable for resurfacing and how skin treatment could fit into your care.
Treatment on the neck requires a separate safety assessment from treatment on the face. Skin type, healing history, and laser settings influence the risk of discoloration and scarring. Resurfacing also involves downtime and wound care.
For a patient with loose neck skin and sun damage, surgery and skin treatment may address different parts of the concern. Laser resurfacing cannot reproduce the tissue repositioning or skin removal of a neck lift.
Dermal fillers can add definition to selected areas of the chin or jawline. They may suit patients who need added projection or volume and have limited skin laxity.
Adding volume will not remove hanging neck skin. When heaviness is the main concern, more filler may work against the contour you want. An examination helps distinguish a need for support from a need to reduce or reposition tissue.
Chin liposuction is a surgical option for fat beneath the chin. It may be appropriate when the skin has enough elasticity to adapt after fat removal.
Loose skin or prominent platysma bands can limit what liposuction alone achieves. Those findings may point toward a neck lift that addresses both the contour and its supporting tissues.
A neck lift can help men address hanging skin, neck bands, or fullness that obscures the jawline. The goal is a contour that fits the patient’s face and preferences. Some men want a stronger jaw-to-neck transition; others want a modest change that preserves their existing features.
Surgical planning accounts for skin thickness, beard growth, hairline position, and the amount of tissue that needs correction. Incisions around the ears require attention to beard-bearing skin so repositioning does not create an unwanted change in hair distribution. Scar visibility also deserves discussion for patients with short hair or a receding hairline.
An isolated neck lift may suit a man whose concerns sit beneath the jaw. When jowls and lower-face sagging are also present, a facelift for men with neck treatment may provide a more balanced correction. Bring photographs that show the features you want to retain. Clear preferences help shape a useful consultation.
A neck lift focuses on the neck and the area beneath the chin. A facelift addresses sagging facial tissues, including changes that contribute to jowls. Treatment can overlap along the jawline, so choosing between them depends on where the loss of support begins.
A neck lift may be appropriate when loose neck skin, bands, or fullness are the main concerns and the lower face retains good definition. The procedure can address the neckline without extending treatment to facial areas that do not need correction.
If tissue has descended from the cheeks toward the jawline, treating the neck alone may leave visible jowls. A facelift can reposition facial tissues, with neck treatment incorporated when needed.
Patients with changes in both areas may benefit from a coordinated face and neck lift. Ask Dr. Dunn to explain which part of the proposed operation addresses each concern, including what could remain if you choose a more limited procedure.
Your age does not settle the question. The examination, your goals, and the extent of correction you are comfortable pursuing guide the recommendation.
A neck lift provides a more defined neck and a more youthful skin quality. You can enjoy your results for a decade or more by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Patients tend to be highly satisfied with the way their neck lift results rejuvenate their appearance, highlighting the natural beauty of their features.
Recovery from a neck lift typically takes 1-2 weeks. During this time, you may experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort, which can be managed with prescribed medication. Dr. Dunn will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to ensure a smooth recovery. It is important to keep your head elevated, avoid strenuous activities, and follow all post-operative guidelines to achieve the best results. Return to work and other activities depend on your healing and the procedures performed. Dr. Dunn will advise when you can resume exercise and activities that strain the neck.
Good aftercare starts before you leave for surgery. Arrange a ride home and an adult to help during the initial recovery period. Keep your written instructions and the practice’s contact information within reach. Dr. Dunn’s instructions take priority over general recovery advice, especially when your neck lift is combined with another procedure.
Keep your head elevated as directed and avoid excessive bending or twisting of the neck. Follow the prescribed instructions for cleaning incisions, applying ointment, and wearing any compression garment. If drains are placed, use the care instructions provided by the surgical team.
Do not apply ice to your neck. Cold can compromise blood flow to healing skin. Wait for approval before using scar products or massaging the treated area.
Take medications as prescribed. Ask the team before adding supplements or changing prescription medicines. Follow your surgeon’s restrictions on smoking and nicotine use, which can interfere with healing.
Returning to desk work does not mean the neck is ready for heavy lifting or strenuous exercise. Get clearance for workouts, swimming, and driving. Protect healing incisions from sun exposure and attend scheduled follow-up visits.
Dr. Brandyn Dunn focuses his practice on facial and neck rejuvenation. He holds board certifications from the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. His training includes a facial plastic and reconstructive surgery fellowship at the University of Kansas.
That focus supports a detailed assessment of the structures that shape your neckline. Skin laxity, fat distribution, muscle bands, and facial support all influence the plan. His surgical work includes deep plane face and neck lifting, with the approach selected around the correction each patient needs.
Coastline’s Newport Beach practice pairs that surgical focus with an education-led consultation. You can discuss expected changes, incision placement, recovery, and the limits of treatment before making a decision. Bring your questions and point out the features you want to preserve. The next step is understanding which approach fits your face.
During your consultation at Coastline Plastic Surgery, Dr. Dunn will assess your neck's condition, discuss your aesthetic goals, and explain the procedure in detail.
Dr. Dunn uses meticulous surgical techniques to minimize scarring, which typically fades over time.
Recovery times can vary, but most patients resume normal activities within a few weeks post-surgery.
While a neck lift provides long-lasting results, it does not halt the aging process. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can prolong the effects.
With a focus on natural aesthetics, Dr. Dunn tailors each procedure to complement your overall facial structure and features.
