Advanced Neck Lift Techniques for Natural Rejuvenation
A Modern Approach to Neck Rejuvenation and Jawline Definition
The neck is one of the first places to reveal the signs of aging. Loose skin, stubborn fat under the chin, and vertical banding can make you look older than you feel.
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, offers advanced neck lift surgery to restore smoothness, definition, and balance to the lower face.
With fellowship training in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and decades of experience, Dr. Balikian has developed a reputation for refined, natural results that harmonize with the entire face.
His signature Artiste Lift™ approach blends the artistry of cosmetic rejuvenation with the science of advanced surgical technique.
Why the Neck Ages First
The tissues of the neck are thin and constantly exposed to the forces of gravity.
Over time:
- Skin loses elasticity and begins to sag.
- Fat pads under the chin and along the jawline shift.
- The platysma muscle bands separate, creating cords.
- Subplatysmal fat and glands can enlarge, softening the jawline angle.
Surface treatments or injectables cannot fully correct these deeper structural changes. A neck lift is designed to restore youthful support from the inside out.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that rejuvenates the neckline by tightening muscles, removing or repositioning fat, and redraping skin for a smoother contour.
A neck lift can address:
- Sagging or “turkey neck” skin
- A double chin or excess fat beneath the jawline
- Prominent vertical muscle bands
- Loss of jawline definition
Many patients choose to combine a neck lift with a facelift for the most comprehensive and natural rejuvenation.
A neck lift is rarely performed on its own because aging in the neck often occurs alongside changes in the lower face, such as sagging skin, jowls, or volume loss.
By addressing both areas together, Dr. Balikian can create a smoother transition between the face and neck, avoid an ‘operated’ look and deliver results that appear balanced and harmonious.
Dr. Balikian’s Advanced Approach
Drawing from his Artiste Lift™ techniques and over 2 decades of experience, Dr. Balikian takes neck lift surgery to the next level:
- Deep Vertical Neck Lift – Corrects laxity by sculpting deeper support layers, not just the surface.
- Platysmaplasty – Repositions and tightens the platysma muscle for long-lasting support.
- Subplatysmal Sculpting – Reduces heaviness by contouring fat pads and, when needed, trimming submandibular glands.
- Limited Skin Elevation – Smaller areas of undermining reduce trauma, bruising, and swelling.
- Precision Liposuction – When excess fat is the main concern, micro-liposuction can be used alone or in combination.
This thoughtful, layered approach restores the youthful angle between the chin and neck while preserving a natural look.
Healing Innovations : Photobiomodulation
Recovery is enhanced through Dr. Balikian’s use of photobiomodulation light therapy, which reduces swelling, accelerates healing, and improves comfort.
Blue and yellow wavelengths work together to minimize downtime and support optimal tissue repair.
Neck Lift vs. Other Treatments
When considering options to rejuvenate the neck and jawline, it’s important to understand the difference between a surgical neck lift and other popular treatments like neck liposuction.
- Neck Liposuction – Best for younger patients with good skin elasticity and isolated fat deposits.
- Non-Surgical Tightening – Offers mild improvement, but cannot correct muscle banding or excess skin.
- Facelift with Neck Lift – Ideal when sagging extends into the cheeks and jowls, requiring combined rejuvenation.
Choosing the right procedure depends on your anatomy, goals, and desired results, which Dr. Balikian carefully evaluates during a personalized consultation.
Who Is a Candidate?
You may benefit from a neck lift if you notice:
- Sagging skin under the chin
- Prominent vertical bands
- A poorly defined jawline
- Heaviness or fullness in the neck despite a healthy weight
Neck lift surgery is often chosen by patients who feel their neck is aging faster than their face, as well as those who are not yet ready for a full facelift.
Neck Lift Before & After Photos
What to Expect
Understanding what to expect at every stage of your neck lift journey, from your first consultation to your final results, can help you feel confident and prepared.
Consultation
Neck lift surgery is rarely performed on its own and is often combined with a facelift to achieve balanced, natural results. Dr. Balikian carefully evaluates your anatomy and goals to create a treatment plan that provides the best outcome.
With this comprehensive approach, recovery is straightforward and results continue to refine over time, revealing a smoother, more youthful neckline that blends naturally with your features.
Procedure
Neck lifts are performed under anesthesia in Dr. Balikian’s accredited surgical center.
Incisions are discreetly placed under the chin and around the ears. Using advanced techniques, Dr. Balikian sculpts and repositions tissues before gently redraping the skin.
Recovery
Neck lift recovery is designed to be as smooth and comfortable as possible with Dr. Balikian’s advanced technique and careful post-surgical care.
- Week 1 – Swelling and bruising peak, then begin to fade. No drains are needed, and most patients are comfortable at home.
- Weeks 2 to 4 – Return to work and social activities. Bruising and swelling continue to improve.
- Months 3 to 6 – Neck contours refine as tissues settle.
- 1 year – Final results are visible, with scars blending naturally into skin creases.
Most patients find the recovery process easier than expected, and the results become more refined and natural-looking as healing progresses.
Why Choose Dr. Balikian
Selecting the right surgeon is the most important step in achieving natural, lasting results, and Dr. Richard Balikian brings unmatched expertise and artistry to every procedure.
- Double Board-Certified – Facial Plastic Surgery & Head and Neck Surgery
- Exclusive Focus – Specializes only in face and neck procedures
- Proven Expertise – Fellowship-trained, published author, and educator
- Natural Results – Patients consistently say they look younger, not different
Dr. Balikian’s philosophy is simple: combine science, artistry, and innovation to help patients look refreshed while still looking like themselves.
Discover What’s Possible
Deep Vertical Neck Lift FAQs
What does a modern neck lift actually correct?
A comprehensive neck lift can tighten platysma bands, contour subplatysmal fat, address bulky digastric muscles or prominent submandibular glands when needed, and redrape skin for a crisp cervicomental angle.
This layered plan mirrors Dr. Balikian’s approach to deep vertical neck lift, platysmaplasty, and subplatysmal sculpting.
When is neck liposuction enough versus a full neck lift?
Lipo alone suits younger patients with good skin elasticity and isolated submental fat. When banding, loose skin, or deeper fullness exist, adding platysmaplasty and targeted deep-neck work produces more durable definition than lipo alone.
What is “subplatysmal sculpting” and why might I need it?
Some necks look heavy due to deep fat pads, enlarged submandibular glands, or bulky anterior digastric muscles beneath the platysma. Selective reduction or contouring of these structures can sharpen the jawline when surface tightening alone falls short.
Does a neck lift always require a facelift too?
Not always. However, aging of the jawline and lower face often coexists with neck changes. Combining facelift and neck lift can create a smoother transition and avoid an “operated neck with jowls” mismatch.
How does Dr. Balikian minimize bruising and swelling?
His technique limits skin undermining and pairs surgery with photobiomodulation (blue/yellow light) during recovery to reduce swelling and support healing. Emerging studies on PBM/LLLT show reductions in postoperative pain, swelling, or ecchymosis in surgical patients, though protocols vary.
What is platysmaplasty and when is it indicated?
Platysmaplasty repositions and tightens the platysma to treat vertical bands and improve neck support. It does not, by itself, treat deeper contributors like subplatysmal fat or large glands, those may require additional deep-neck steps for best contour.
Are nerve injuries common in neck lift or facelift-with-neck-lift?
Major nerve injury is uncommon in healthy patients and experienced hands, but temporary marginal mandibular weakness is a known risk, especially with submandibular gland maneuvers. Recent systematic reviews help quantify these risks and underscore meticulous technique.
What is the recovery timeline for a modern neck lift?
Typical course: most swelling/bruising peaks and begins to recede in week 1. Return to desk work/social activities around weeks 2–4. Refinement continues through months 3–6, with scars blending by ~1 year. Drains are not necessary with current techniques.
How do results from deep-neck techniques hold up over time?
Addressing the actual source of fullness, subplatysmal fat, enlarged glands, or malpositioned digastrics, along with muscle support tends to yield more stable definition than skin tightening alone in anatomically heavy necks.
What are the most common risks I should know about?
Possible issues include bruising, hematoma, temporary numbness, contour irregularities, salivary issues if gland work is performed, and transient lower-lip weakness from marginal mandibular nerve irritation. Careful planning and technique keep serious complications uncommon.
How do I choose a surgeon for neck lift if my neck looks “full” even after weight loss?
Seek a facial plastic surgeon who regularly performs deep-neck analysis and is comfortable treating subplatysmal fat, digastric hypertrophy, and submandibular gland prominence when indicated, along with platysma support and precise skin redraping for a natural angle. This aligns with Dr. Balikian’s layered approach.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a renowned facial plastic surgeon known for his dedication to patients throughout Southern California.
With more than two decades of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, he brings together surgical precision and an artist’s eye.
Dr. Balikian is among a select group of specialists whose advanced training is devoted entirely to procedures of the face and neck.
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Tyler Frew, MD
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
