Neck Lift

Learn How to Choose an Expert Surgeon for Your Neck Lift

Aging, genetics, and environmental factors may all contribute to visible signs of aging in the neck area. Performed by experienced, board-certified facial cosmetic surgeons, a neck lift can yield very natural-looking results, even when significant signs of neck aging are present.


In this guide, we will explore the neck lift procedure, its benefits and risks, and what you can expect throughout the surgical process.

What is a neck lift?

A neck lift, sometimes called a platysmaplasty, is a cosmetic surgery procedure that contours the neck and jawline. During a neck lift, your facial cosmetic surgeon removes excess skin, tightens the underlying muscles, and removes fat deposits as needed. The procedure can address various concerns, including:



  • Sagging skin or loose skin in the neck area
  • Excess fat under the chin (double chin)
  • Vertical neck bands
  • Wrinkles and fine lines


By addressing these concerns, a neck lift can create a more defined and youthful neckline and jawline, enhancing your overall facial appearance and. Neck lifts are often performed in combination with a facelift for comprehensive and natural-looking results.

Am I a good candidate for a neck lift?

Ideal candidates for a neck lift are individuals who:


  • Are bothered by the appearance of their neck due to sagging skin, excess fat, or visible signs of aging
  • Have talked with a cosmetic surgeon to develop realistic expectations about the results of the surgery, including its limits
  • Are in good overall health
  • Do not smoke (or are willing to quit smoking before the procedure and throughout recovery)



During your consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will evaluate your concerns, go over your full medical history and any medications you take, and ask you about your goals to determine if a neck lift is the ideal option for you at this time.


Whether you choose a surgical or non-surgical option, it is important to work with an experienced facial cosmetic surgeon to minimize risks. 

Types of neck lift procedures

There are several techniques that a cosmetic surgeon may employ when they are performing what we call a “neck lift.” Depending on your unique concerns and your goals for your appearance, these may include:

  • Cervicoplasty

    Cervicoplasty is a technique that involves removing excess skin from the neck through incisions placed behind the ears and/or under the chin. Skin is re-draped and the remaining skin is sutured for a smoother, more youthful appearance.

  • Platysmaplasty

    Platysmaplasty is a technique that tightens the underlying neck muscles (the platysma) through small incisions placed under the chin and/or behind the ears. This allows your cosmetic surgeon to tighten the platysma muscle in order to create a smoother, more defined neck contour.

  • Liposuction

    If excess fat is a concern, liposuction may be performed as part of your neck lift. The surgeon inserts a small cannula (tube) through a tiny incision and suctions out the unwanted fat cells. Liposuction can be performed alone or in conjunction with other neck lift techniques to achieve optimal results.

  • Key Benefits

    • Creates a well-defined jawline
    • Smoothes sagging or crepe-like skin
    • Tightens the muscles and skin of the neck for a firm contour
    • Addresses a “double chin” or “turkey neck”

  • Terms to Know

    Anesthesia: To prevent pain during neck lift surgery, anesthesia is administered. Anesthesia can be general, where the patient is unconscious; sedation anesthesia, which involves medications that relax the patient but keep them awake for surgery; or local anesthesia, where only a specific part of the body is numb and the patient is fully alert.


    Botox: Derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, Botox is injected into a face or neck muscle to temporarily relax the local area. It is a popular treatment for reducing the appearance of wrinkles caused by muscle contractions (dynamic wrinkles).


    Collagen: A protein found abundantly in the skin to provide its strength and elasticity. Collagen production decreases with age, contributing to sagging skin and wrinkles.


    Direct Excision: A surgical technique where excess or loose skin is directly cut away, or excised, to create a tighter, smoother appearance.


    Dermal Filler: Injectable substances used to fill in wrinkles, restore volume, and smooth the skin. Juvederm, Restylane, RHA, and Sculptra are examples of dermal fillers.


    Eye Lift: Medically termed blepharoplasty, an eye lift is a surgical procedure that improves the appearance of the upper and/or lower eyelids by removing excess skin, fat, and muscle.


    Lifts: Surgical procedures that aim to ‘lift’ or tighten sagging skin. Neck lifts and face lifts are examples of this type of procedure.


    Nonsurgical Neck Lift: A procedure that tightens and lifts the skin of the neck without the need for surgery, achieving a mild improvement for early signs of aging. This can be achieved through treatments like thread lifts or energy-based skin tightening.


    Nose Jobs: Also known as rhinoplasty, this is a surgical procedure that changes the shape or size of the nose for cosmetic or functional reasons.


    Platysmaplasty: A surgical technique used in a neck lift to tighten the platysma muscle in the neck, reducing the appearance of neck bands and creating a smoother neck contour.


    Post-operative: The period of time following a surgical procedure. This often involves recovery time and follow-up care.


    Radiofrequency: A type of energy that can be used in nonsurgical treatments to heat the skin and stimulate collagen production, resulting in tighter, smoother skin.


    Reconstructive Surgery: Surgery that is performed to restore function and normal appearance, and to correct deformities.


    Surgical Procedures: Medical procedures that involve an incision into the body. Neck lift, face lift, and nose job are examples of surgical procedures.


    Thread Lift: A less invasive alternative to traditional face lifts. The procedure involves inserting medical-grade dissolvable thread material into the face and pulling it tight to lift and rejuvenate the skin. Threads also typically stimulate collagen production.

The browlift consultation

During your brow lift consultation, your cosmetic surgeon will review your medical history and medications to determine whether you are in good health for elective surgery. They will then evaluate your facial structure and skin quality and talk with you about your goals and expectations. Based on this conversation, they will be able to recommend the most appropriate brow lift technique (or other options) to achieve your desired outcome. 

Your cosmetic surgeon should explain the procedure, recovery, and potential risks before surgery with full transparency, allowing you time to ask any questions you have. Treat this meeting as an opportunity to further vet your surgeon’s qualifications, research options, and ensure you feel comfortable with the proposed treatment plan.

The brow lift procedure

Brow lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation. The procedure generally involves:



  • Administering anesthesia
  • Making incisions based on the chosen brow lift technique
  • Lifting and repositioning the forehead tissues and eyebrows
  • Closing incisions with sutures, clips, or adhesive


The surgery can take one to two hours, depending on which technique is used

Brow lift recovery

After brow lift surgery, you are likely to experience temporary swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort. Your surgeon will provide pain medication and instructions for managing these symptoms. Key aspects of the recovery process include:



  • Keeping your head elevated, even during sleep
  • Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling
  • Avoiding strenuous activity for several weeks
  • Following a gentle skincare routine
  • Attending follow-up appointments to monitor healing


Most patients can return to work and social activities within one to two weeks, with full recovery taking several weeks.

Brow lift results

While you may notice some immediate improvements, the final results of your brow lift will become more apparent as swelling and bruising subside. A brow lift can create a more youthful, refreshed appearance that lasts for many years. To maintain your results, practice good skincare habits, protect your skin from the sun, and consider non-surgical treatments such as Botox Cosmetic or dermal fillers for ongoing facial rejuvenation.

Potential risks and complications

As with any surgical procedure, brow lift surgery carries some risks. These include:


  • Anesthesia complications
  • Asymmetry
  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Scarring
  • Nerve injury
  • Hair loss at the incision site



Choosing a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon may help to reduce these risks by helping you receive the highest standard of care. Further, more advanced techniques can help to reduce risks.

  • Key Benefits

    • Lifts and and repositions sagging eyebrows
    • Smooths forehead wrinkles and frown lines
    • Creates a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance
    • Enhances the results of other facial procedures, such as eyelid surgery or a facelift

  • Terms to Know

    Rhinoplasty: Commonly known as a “nose job,” this is a plastic surgery procedure for altering and reconstructing the nose.


    Forehead Lift: A procedure similar to a brow lift, focusing on reducing wrinkles and improving the appearance of the forehead. It may also elevate drooping, hooded eyebrows that are weighing down the upper eyelid.


    Endoscopic Brow Lift: A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses special viewing equipment (an endoscope) and small incisions to elevate the brow.


    Non-surgical Brow Lift: Procedures that lift the brow without surgery, often using injectable treatments like Botox or dermal fillers.


    Dermabrasion: A professional skin exfoliation that removes damaged skin to improve its texture and tone.


    Ptosis: A drooping or falling of the upper or lower eyelid. This condition is often addressed in conjunction with a brow lift to alleviate the drooping around the eyes.


    Aesthetic Medicine: Encompasses specialties that focus on improving cosmetic appearances through the treatment of concerns such as skin laxity, scars, moles, liver spots, excess fat, cellulite, wrinkles, and unwanted hair.


    Microblading: This technique applies semi-permanent pigment to the skin to enhance eyebrows’ fullness with a small handheld tool.


    Local Anesthesia: A type of anesthetic used to numb a specific area of the body (a “local” area). In the case of a brow lift or similar procedures, local anesthesia might be used to numb the tissue around the forehead.


    General Anesthesia: This is a medically induced sleep, typically used for major surgeries. Under general anesthesia, the patient is unconscious and does not feel pain.


    Sedation: This refers to the use of medications to relax the patient. Sedation can range from minimal, where the patient is relaxed but awake; to moderate, where the patient may drift in and out of sleep; to deep, where the patient is on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.


    Regional Anesthesia: This type of anesthesia only numbs the area of the body that will undergo surgery. It’s typically used for more significant procedures than would require local anesthesia, but does not require the patient to be unconscious. Examples include epidurals for childbirth and spinal anesthesia for lower body or leg surgeries.


    Topical Anesthesia: These are creams, ointments, sprays, or patches that contain a local anesthetic (i.e. lidocaine), which can be applied to the skin to numb the area and reduce pain. They might be used prior to minor skin procedures.

Combining brow lift surgery with other procedures

It is common to combine brow lift surgery with other facial cosmetic surgery procedures or noninvasive skin treatments, such as:

  • Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty)

    An eye lift addresses drooping upper and/or lower eyelids (eyelid ptosis). An upper eyelid lift involves removing excess skin and fat through an incision placed along the natural crease of the lid; a lower eyelid lift removes skin and fat through an incision hidden within the lower eyelid. This procedure can result in a more alert, rested appearance that complements the anti-aging results of a facelift.

  • Face Lift

    A facelift treats the lower half of the face, and usually the neck, making it the ideal complement to brow lift surgery; both procedures can be typically performed in a single operation to consolidate your time under general anesthesia.


  • Laser Skin Resurfacing

    Laser skin resurfacing is a non-surgical procedure that uses concentrated beams of light to promote collagen production. In turn, it reduces fine lines, wrinkles, acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and age spots. While a facelift removes excess tissue and creates a firm foundation, it cannot improve the surface texture of crepe-like skin or treat discoloration and sun damage; laser treatment enhances the results of a facelift by providing a smoother, more even skin texture and tone.

  • Neuromodulator injections

    Injectable neuromodulators like Botox®, Dysport®, and Xeomin® are an ideal follow-up treatment to forehead lift surgery, as they contain botulinum toxin type A to temporarily relax muscles and thus prevent the recurrence of wrinkles in the forehead, frown lines between the eyebrows, and the crow’s feet (canthal lines) beside the eyes.

    When used in conjunction with a facelift, dermal fillers can provide a more comprehensive approach to facial rejuvenation. While fat transfer to the face offers a long-lasting solution to facial volume loss, some patients may prefer dermal fillers because they are temporary, which allows patients to “try out” the look of facial volume restoration before committing long-term (depending on the formula, fillers last for about 6 months up to a year or longer).


    Any procedure combination should be carefully selected based on your goals and candidacy for the procedure during your cosmetic surgery consultation.

Facial cosmetic surgery is both a science and an art, and each consultation with a surgeon is an opportunity to learn their unique approach to achieve your goals; considering complementary procedures is often the ideal method for comprehensive and natural-looking rejuvenation.

Cost of Browlift Surgery

The cost of your brow lift will depend upon factors such as the surgeon’s experience, the geographic location, and the complexity of the procedure that meets your goals. Talk with your cosmetic surgeon about the cost of the procedure at their practice, and be sure to ask about additional fees beyond the surgeon’s fees for anesthesia, the operating room, and overnight care (if applicable). Most surgeons provide a detailed fee quote at the consultation and offer financing options for the cost of surgery.

Choosing a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon for your Browlift

Working with a board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon helps you to receive the highest level of care and expertise. American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS) surgeons have extensive training, experience, and a commitment to staying current on the latest techniques in facial rejuvenation. They prioritize patient safety, satisfaction, and exceptional results.



Schedule a consultation with an experienced, board-certified facial cosmetic surgeon to learn more about brow lift surgery and determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.