Deep Vertical Neck Lift for a Sculpted Neckline
A deep vertical neck lift combines advanced, customized techniques to tighten skin, refine the jawline, and sculpt a youthful, natural-looking neck contour with lasting results.
Sculpt a Youthful, Elegant Jawline
If you’re bothered by a sagging “turkey neck,” prominent neck bands, or a soft jawline that lacks definition, a neck lift with Dr. Richard Balikian may be the ideal solution.
As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon specializing exclusively in the face and neck, Dr. Balikian uses state-of-the-art techniques to deliver refined, lasting results.
What a Neck Lift Corrects
A neck lift addresses the deep structural causes of aging, not just the skin. Dr. Balikian’s approach targets:
- Loose, sagging skin under the chin and along the neck
- Vertical neck bands caused by separation of the platysma muscle
- Excess fat contributing to a “double chin”
- Poor jawline definition
- Submandibular gland fullness (if needed)
- Hyoid bone tethering that restricts chin-to-neck angle
By going deeper than surface-level lifting, Dr. Balikian sculpts the neck from the inside out.
Benefits of a Neck Lift
A neck lift offers powerful yet natural-looking rejuvenation by addressing the key signs of aging that affect the neck and jawline.
- Smoother, firmer neckline
- Improved jawline definition
- Reduced appearance of “turkey neck”
- Enhanced facial harmony
- Boosted confidence with natural-looking results
A neck lift offers powerful yet natural-looking rejuvenation by addressing the key signs of aging that affect the neck and jawline.
By gently tightening the platysma muscles, refining fullness beneath the chin, and redraping lax skin with discreet incisions around the ear and under the chin, it restores a clean cervicomental angle and a crisper jawline. The result is smoother, firmer contours that move naturally, harmonize with the face, and provide lasting definition.
Can a Neck Lift Be Combined with Other Procedures?
Yes. Many patients choose to combine a neck lift with:
- Facelift – for comprehensive facial rejuvenation
- Facial fat transfer – to restore volume in the cheeks and temples
- Blepharoplasty – to refresh tired eyes
- CO2 laser resurfacing – for smoother skin texture
Dr. Balikian will recommend a tailored treatment plan based on your goals.
Natural, Artistic Results
Inside Dr. Balikian’s Advanced Neck Lift Technique
What sets Dr. Balikian’s neck lift apart is his meticulous work across all four layers of the neck, skin, fat, muscle, and deeper structures. Depending on your anatomy and goals, your procedure may include:
- Deep Neck Sculpting – For patients with excess fullness beneath the jawline, Dr. Balikian carefully reduces deep neck fat and, when needed, performs submandibular gland reduction to refine the neckline and create a more sculpted, elegant contour.
- Platysmaplasty – Dr. Balikian uses a midline “corset platysmaplasty” technique to bring the platysma muscle edges together, eliminate vertical neck bands, and reinforce the neck’s foundation for a smoother, firmer result.
- Hyoid Release – In patients with a short or high hyoid position that limits neck length, Dr. Balikian performs a hyoid release to lower the deep neck and achieve a more defined chin-to-neck angle and elongated profile.
- Mastoid Crevasse Technique – To prevent future sagging, Dr. Balikian secures the platysma muscle to the mastoid fascia behind the ear. This anchoring step helps tighten the lower face and neck and plays a key role in long-lasting jawline definition.
These elements are carefully customized based on your unique facial structure and degree of aging.
Recovery After Neck Lift Surgery
Recovery is an important part of the neck lift journey, and Dr. Balikian’s refined techniques are designed to make it as smooth and comfortable as possible.
- Outpatient procedure with no overnight stay
- Most swelling and bruising resolve within 2 weeks
- Strenuous activity should be avoided for 3–4 weeks
- Final results take shape over 3–6 months
- No drains needed in most cases
Dr. Balikian offers medical grade light therapy to help patients heal faster and enjoy their results sooner, with less inflammation and a more comfortable recovery.
The treatment uses specific wavelengths of light to support cellular energy, calm swelling and bruising, and soothe tender skin. Sessions are brief, noninvasive, and typically start soon after surgery as part of a personalized aftercare plan.
Am I a Candidate for Neck Lift Surgery?
Good candidates typically:
- Are in overall good health
- Have visible neck aging or sagging skin
- Maintain a stable weight
- Do not smoke
- Have realistic expectations about their results
A consultation with Dr. Balikian includes a full assessment of your anatomy, goals, and medical history to determine if a neck lift is the right choice for you.
Neck Lift FAQs
What is the cost of a neck lift procedure?
The cost of a neck lift procedure can vary depending on the complexity of the surgery, the techniques used, and whether it’s combined with other procedures.
At Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery, pricing is personalized after a detailed consultation with Dr. Balikian. This allows him to evaluate your anatomy, goals, and needs before providing an accurate quote. Your total cost may include surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, facility costs, and post-operative care.
Financing options are available to help make the procedure more accessible.
Will I have scars after neck lift surgery?
Dr. Balikian places incisions discreetly behind the ears and sometimes under the chin. Once healed, these scars are typically very well concealed and difficult to detect.
Can a neck lift be combined with a facelift?
Absolutely, patients frequently opt for both procedures simultaneously for a harmonious appearance with just one surgical recovery period. Having pioneered the preservation deep plane facelift, you are in excellent hands when it comes to the facelift, neck lift, and any other type of facial plastic surgery.
How long do the results of a neck lift last?
Neck lift results can last 10 to 15 years or longer. While aging will naturally continue, most patients enjoy long-lasting improvement in contour and definition with proper skincare and a healthy lifestyle.
Is a neck lift performed under general anesthesia?
Yes, most neck lifts are performed under general anesthesia in an accredited surgical center to ensure maximum comfort and safety.
Does a neck lift always include work on the muscles?
Yes in most patients. Managing the platysma muscles helps reduce banding and gives longer-lasting definition compared with skin tightening alone.
What is the difference between a neck lift and a facelift?
A neck lift focuses on the neck and jawline, while a facelift addresses the cheeks, jowls, and often the neck too. Many patients combine both for full lower-face and neck harmony.
Will my results look natural?
Yes, the goal is a smoother, firmer neckline that still moves naturally. Support is placed in deeper layers so the skin is not pulled tight.
Do you use drains after a neck lift?
No routine drains. Swelling is managed with meticulous technique and a light compression wrap that is adjusted at early follow-ups.
How long is recovery after a neck lift?
Plan one to two weeks before social downtime. Bruising and most swelling improve in 10 to 14 days. Light exercise usually resumes at two weeks, with heavier workouts at three to four weeks when cleared.
Will submental liposuction be part of my neck lift?
Often yes if there is excess fat under the chin. When skin laxity or banding is present, liposuction is combined with muscle tightening and skin redraping for best definition.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to a neck lift?
Yes, but they are limited. Energy devices, injectables, and skin care can give modest improvements in early laxity. They do not replicate the definition achieved with surgery.
When will I look event-ready?
Many patients feel camera-ready by three to four weeks. Residual swelling continues to refine over the next few months.
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.
Start Your Journey
The Balikian Experience
Patients choose Dr. Richard Balikian for precision facial procedures, personalized care and results that look naturally you.
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