Do you find that you wear scarves and turtlenecks to hide your neck? Do you wish you could recontour your chin? If so, you may be a good candidate for a neck lift at Mountain State Cosmetic Surgery in Beckley, WV. Today, our aesthetic experts are taking a closer look at this procedure, including when may be the right time to consider it.
What Is the Right Age for a Neck Lift?
Typically, people seek this procedure when they are 40 to 60 years old. However, the bottom line is that the appropriate age to seek a neck lift is the age at which you start to feel uncomfortable about the appearance of your neck. You must be an adult to qualify for this procedure, but other than that, there are no age restrictions.
People usually don’t consider this procedure until they are at least 40 years of age because the results of the aging process are not yet noticeable. However, your genetics play a massive role in the rate at which your skin ages. If your parents or grandparents saw the signs of aging years before their peers, there is a very good chance your skin will age prematurely, too.
Lifestyle Choices
Also, your lifestyle plays a major role in how quickly you will show the signs of aging. For example, you may need to seek a neck lift years before your peers if you have smoked daily for the past several decades or can’t remember the last time you put on sunscreen.
Does It Make Sense to Put Off This Procedure?
Some people may benefit from holding off on receiving this procedure. However, it is a great preventative step for many others. During your initial consultation, Dr. James Paine, Jr., MD will discuss your cosmetic goals and assess the cause and severity of your cosmetic concerns.
Depending on your unique situation, now may be the perfect time to get your neck skin lifted. On the other hand, if you have very mild skin concerns, you may be a better candidate for injectable anti-aging treatments or microneedling with the FDA-approved SkinPen device.
Is There a Best Time for a Lift?
Just as there is not a best age to consider a lift, there is not a best time of year to consider a lift. Recovery from this procedure typically takes two to four weeks. Therefore, people often schedule their lift in the winter or spring so they have plenty of time to heal and spend the summer enjoying activities with their kids.
However, it is not uncommon for people to schedule a lift in the summer when they remember they have a wedding or reunion they must attend in two months. If you have a major event coming up, it is highly advisable to schedule your procedure as soon as possible.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a procedure designed to restore the appearance of youth to your neck. Depending on your unique aesthetic goals, excess fat and skin may be removed from beneath your chin. However, this procedure almost always involves the removal of excess neck skin. Also, it is commonly used to excise a small amount of neck fat, tighten loose skin, and remove excess neck muscles.
Common Techniques
We will advise you on the techniques we will use after we assess your current aesthetic and goals and discuss your personal preferences. However, regardless of the techniques used, we will place the incisions in discreet locations so nobody will be able to see them as they are healing. Also, you will not need to worry about scarring after the procedure.
Moreover, this procedure will almost always involve the removal of excess neck skin. Furthermore, loose neck skin will be tightened and loose chin skin will be tightened as necessary.
Can This Procedure Be Combined With Other Procedures and Treatments?
Yes, this procedure can be combined with other aesthetic procedures and treatments. For example, you may find that you need chin implants to achieve your desired profile. Alternatively, you may need a brow lift, blepharoplasty, or rhinoplasty to perfect your appearance. However, one of the most common procedures performed in conjunction with a neck and chin lift is liposuction for the treatment of submental fullness.
What Causes Submental Fullness?
There are several potential causes of submental fullness, also known as a double chin. This common cosmetic concern doesn’t just make you look older than you are. It also makes you look heavier than you are, decreasing self-confidence significantly. Here’s a closer look at some of the most common causes of this frustrating condition.
Weight Fluctuations
The most common cause of submental fullness is weight fluctuations. Usually, submental fullness is caused by a caloric surplus that results in expanding fat cells in the chin and neck. In such cases of submental fullness, a neck lift may not be enough to achieve an ideal profile because only a small amount of fat is excised. A fat removal treatment or procedure may be necessary.
Also, rapid weight loss can result in excess or sagging skin that creates the illusion of a double chin.
Aging
Overweight and obese people commonly suffer from submental fullness, but it’s not uncommon for healthy weight people to suffer from submental fullness due to the side effects of the natural aging process. As we age, our skin doesn’t produce enough supportive proteins and fibers to remain tight and healthy. Skin sagging in the chin and upper neck region can cause loose skin to fold in on itself and create the illusion of a double chin.
What to Expect Throughout the Treatment Process
Initial Consultation
The first step in your neck rejuvenation process is to come in for an initial consultation. During this consultation, Dr. Paine will ensure a neck lift is an appropriate procedure for you. If it is not, he will tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs that will allow you to achieve all of your aesthetic goals.
Pre-Treatment
During your initial consultation, if we find that you are a good candidate for this procedure, we will provide you with a complete list of preparation instructions. Here are some of the most important rules you must abide by:
- Fast the morning of your procedure
- Stop drinking alcohol
- Stop consuming nicotine
- Ensure someone can drive you to and from your procedure
- Wear a comfortable shirt that does not have to be pulled over your head
- Stop taking blood-thinning drugs and supplements
- Come in without cosmetics or jewelry on your neck
Treatment
This procedure may involve two or more incisions depending on the goals you are trying to achieve. Through these incisions, excess neck muscles will be removed, excess skin will be removed, excess skin will be excised, and loose skin will be tightened.
If you have a significant amount of excess neck and chin fat, you may need to get CoolSculpting, liposuction, or SlimLipo laser liposuction on your neck and chin before your lift to eliminate submental fullness.
After Treatment
Once your procedure is complete, there are several rules you must adhere to if you want to see your final results as quickly as possible. For instance, you must keep your head elevated as much as possible during the first seven days following your procedure.
Also, you must not turn your neck during this time. Additionally, you must avoid consuming tobacco and alcohol and say no to vigorous exercise. Before and after your procedure, we will review your post-op care guide to ensure you have a thorough understanding of everything.
Results and Recovery
Most of the recovery process is complete in just seven days. However, it can take anywhere from two to four weeks to recover fully. For example, you should be able to resume the non-strenuous activities that you usually perform 14 days after your procedure. After roughly four weeks, you should be able to resume strenuous activities. Once you are fully recovered, you will be able to see the final results of your procedure.
Start Rejuvenating Your Appearance Today
You no longer have to feel self-conscious about your chin and neck. A neck lift can help you restore the profile of your youth, restoring your self-confidence. Visit us at Mountain State Cosmetic Surgery in Beckley, WV for an initial consultation to see if this procedure is right for you. If you’re at least 21 years of age, concerned about the appearance of your neck, and fairly healthy, there is a very good chance you will qualify for it.
