The neck lift seems to be a cosmetic surgery targeted, but anatomical reality reveals a different truth. No plastic surgeon cannot deal exclusively with neck area without impacting the oval of the face. This mechanical interconnection systematically transforms any surgical operation cervical in cervico-facial lift. Le Doctor Jérémy Djian, plastic surgeon in Paris, In this article, we tell you the truth about how to rejuvenate an unsightly «turkey neck», tighten neck skin and jowls, to combat the effects of skin aging and achieve a natural, harmonious result.
There's no such thing as a neck lift only: it's a myth. To access the neck surgically, the plastic surgeon must remove the tissues from the oval of the face. This anatomical constraint makes a strictly cervical facelift impossible.
When you manually pull up the skin of your face and neck in front of a mirror, you notice several phenomena simultaneously:
This fold contains the excess skin responsible for neck sagging and the appearance of wrinkles. To remove it, an incision must be made in front of the ear, confirming that a neck lift necessarily also involves an incision in front of the ear. face lifting for an overall improvement in appearance.
The neck lift refers specifically to a procedure involving the lifting of neck tissues and the removal of excess skin.
If you compare a photo of your face in profile, standing upright, with a photo of your face lying down in a slightly reclined position, you'll notice how gravity affects your face and neck. The neck and lower part of the face temporarily regain their «youthful» position. A cervico-facial lift makes it possible to reproduce this natural phenomenon over the long term by repositioning the tissues in their original position.
In concrete terms, this aesthetic neck surgery includes :
This process restores natural tension to the neck, without freezing the features, while ensuring a smooth transition from the face to the décolleté.
Neck transformations over the years are natural and progressive, and rely on two main mechanisms:
This process is perfectly normal and concerns everyone. It may be more pronounced in people who have undergone significant weight loss. It does not, however, call into question the effectiveness of facelifts, but explains why the results, while long-lasting, cannot be totally permanent. The aim is to achieve a visible improvement, natural and satisfying, not an unrealistic promise to freeze time. Good follow-up, a healthy lifestyle and regular care help to prolong the benefits of the intervention over time.
Among the main external factors favouring sagging neck, we find :
The appearance of the neck is also influenced by internal factors, linked to the physiological functioning of the body:
Today, there is a full range of methods for treating the neck and lower face, adapted to different levels of loss of skin tone, excess fat or muscle ptosis. Some methods target fat or skin alone, while others intervene more deeply, notably on muscles such as the platysma. Some approaches also provide overall, long-lasting contouring of the face and neck. Here is a detailed comparative table of the main neck lift techniques currently in use, their specific features, indications and areas of action.
| Technical | Main indications | What is the intervention? | Treated areas | Depth | Invasiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep plane facelift | Severe sagging, very natural look, complete facial repositioning | Deep detachment of SMAS and muscles to reposition volumes | Neck, jowls, oval, full lower face | ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ | Very high |
| Cervico-facial lift | Severe sagging of the neck and jowls | Wide detachment, reactivation of the SMAS, removal of excess skin | Neck, jowls, oval of the face | ⚫⚫⚫⚫ | High |
| Platysmaplasty (deep cervicoplasty) | Cervical dewlap, muscle collapse | Plication or sectioning of the platysma muscle, sometimes via ear or submentum | Neck muscles (platysma), baleen plates | ⚫⚫⚫ | High |
| Submentoplasty | Localized dewlap, central loosening | Incision under the chin, muscle suture + removal of localized fat or skin | Center of neck, dewlap, chin | ⚫⚫ | Average |
| Mini-lifting | Beginning of sagging, slightly drooping oval | Limited detachment, moderate skin tension | Lower face, oval | ⚫⚫ | Average |
| Neck liposuction alone | Localized fat, firm skin | Subcutaneous fat suction with cannula, without skin removal | Submental area, neck | ⚫ | Low |
| Tensor threads | Slight sagging, without excess skin | Placement of absorbable sutures under the skin to pull the tissues together | Oval face, light neck | ⚫ | Very low |
| Radiofrequency / HIFU / Laser | Moderate skin slackening, aesthetic maintenance | Skin stimulation with heat or ultrasound to produce collagen | Superficial skin on neck and chin | ⚫ | Very low |
A cervical lift necessarily involves strategically placed scars: in front of the ear (in the natural fold of the auricle) and behind the ear (in the retroauricular fold). Their length is proportional to the amount of excess skin removed. Contrary to some assertions, a scar in front of the ear is essential to evacuate excess skin. However, with the right technique and without excessive tension on the skin, the scars remain discreet and virtually invisible, guaranteeing a harmonious result.
During your consultation, the Dr Djian performs a balance sheet complete :
Clinical examination :
Medical assessment :
It's also the ideal time to ask any questions you may have. They're all legitimate, and Dr. Djian will be happy to answer them in an educational way.
Questions you might ask yourself include:
At the end of the consultation, the plastic surgeon will draw up a detailed estimate, including his or her fees.. You will then legally have 15 days to mature your thoughts and validate the intervention.
A neck lift lasts between 2 and 4 hours on average, depending on the extent of the procedure. It is performed under thorough local anaesthesia or general, in the presence of a anaesthetist. Hospitalisation can be outpatient or overnight, depending on the protocol chosen and the comfort required by the patient.
During the first 48 hours, the patient wears a pressure bandage to limit edema and support repositioned tissues. It is advisable to sleep in a semi-seated position and to follow the prescription for’analgesics. Many people wonder : How long should I keep the press lift on? The response is generally for at least 48 hours, sometimes up to 5 to 7 days depending on the level of swelling or the healing.
Week 1 :
Weeks 2 to 3 :
After 3 to 6 months :
Personalized follow-up with your plastic surgeon is organized throughout this period to analyze post-operative evolution and guarantee a natural, long-lasting results.
To maintain the benefits of a neck lift, certain habits are essential:
These simple gestures help preserve skin quality and slow down the effects of aging.
In addition to good preventive habits, an appropriate routine helps maintain neck tone:
These treatments are an effective complement to a facelift, although they cannot prevent the return of laxity in the long term.
No, if your goal is harmonious rejuvenation of the face and neck. The lower facelift acts primarily on the oval, moderate jowls and lower cheek contours. Taken in isolation, however, this procedure can leave an aesthetic imbalance between a firmer neck and a face that retains certain signs of sagging or fatigue.
Rejuvenating the face as a whole: which complementary procedures?
To avoid a mismatch between a neck firmed and still marked face, several procedures can be combined as required:
The aim is to preserving global harmony by treating all areas of the face that show signs of ageing, not just the neck.
A cervico-facial lift well combined with these gestures, the result is a natural result, consistent and sustainable over time.
The average price of a cervico-facial lift in Paris is generally between 8,000 and 12,000 euros, depending on the extent of the procedure and the associated complementary procedures (chin liposuction, jowl correction, eyelid injections or surgery, etc.).
Check that additional costs are included in the total price:
As each situation is unique, a personalized quote is given to you at the end of the consultation, after assessment of your needs. To find out about Doctor Djian's fees, you can consult his price list page.
Social security does not cover the cost of a facelift for the following purposes aesthetic. On the other hand, it can managing reconstructive surgery in very rare cases.
As with any intervention, the neck lift involves risks. They are rare when the procedure is performed by a qualified plastic surgeon and that the care protocol is followed. Specific complications described by specialists include
The most frequent side effects remain moderate and transitory:
To ensure optimal recovery and react quickly in the event of a problem, there are certain signs that should alert and motivate a immediate medical consultation :
These situations are rare, but early management can limit their consequences. By scrupulously following your practitioner's recommendations and respecting post-operative instructions, the risks are greatly minimized, and the post-operative period is generally free of major complications.
When there is marked sagging or a noticeable excess of skin, the answer is no These signs of aging can only be effectively treated with surgery. Non-surgical methods, based on aesthetic medicine, can provide a temporary improvement, but they don't make it possible to tighten the skin or reposition sagging tissues in the long term. They do not correct hanging neck, nor baleen plates marked, nor the’excess skin. They remain transitional solutions.
Cervico-facial surgery will give you a visual gain of around 10 years throughout your life. Conversely, with a medical procedure, you will only have this effect for a limited period of 6 to 12 months.
Non-surgical solutions may nevertheless be appropriate in certain specific cases:
Hyaluronic acid injections used to moisturize the skin's surface, smooth fine lines and redefine the oval of the face (jawline contouring). The improvement is noticeable but remains modest, with efficacy lasting from 6 to 12 months. Expect to pay between 300 and 500 euros per session.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) It relaxes platysmal bands (vertical neck muscles) by reducing their contraction. Results last 4 to 6 months. Average cost: 200 to 400 euros per session.
Absorbable tensor threads They offer a temporary lifting effect by slightly repositioning the tissues. The procedure is fast and minimally invasive, The results are moderate (12 to 18 months) and depend on skin quality. Estimated price: 800 to 1200 euros.
Doctor Jérémy Djian is qualified surgeon specializing in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, He has an excellent track record in hospital and university medicine. A former Senior Registrar at the Faculté de Médecine Paris 5 René Descartes and a former assistant at the Hôpitaux de Paris, he was a member of the team at face transplant conducted by Professor Laurent Lantieri at the Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou. He practiced microsurgical connection grafting, a high-precision procedure reserved for highly specialized practitioners.
Holder of several university degrees in surgical anatomy of the face and neck, in general plastic surgery and in microsurgery, Dr. Djian combines rare technical expertise with a refined aesthetic approach.
Now based in Paris 16 and operating at the Clinique des Princes in Boulogne-Billancourt, he offers his patients the highest level of facial aesthetic surgery, perfectly mastered in a safe and comfortable environment. His mastery of cervico-facial lift, Her in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the neck and face and her unique background make her a trusted partner for any patient wishing to restore a more harmonious, rested appearance, naturally and sustainably.
The neck lift alone is a common misconception. In reality, any correction of the sagging skin at cervical level also requires treatment of the oval of the face to achieve a harmonious and natural result. This is why the recommended procedure is generally a cervico-facial lift, combined cosmetic surgery of the face and neck.
This type of surgical procedure not only effectively treats the visible signs of time, but also preserves the balance of facial volumes and lines. Over the course of years, the skin aging is a gradual process, and only a holistic approach can achieve a genuine lasting rejuvenation.
If you are considering an intervention neck surgery in Paris, the Doctor Jérémy Djian welcomes you in a safe medical environment and offers you a personalized consultation to analyze your needs, your expectations and the strategy best suited to your morphology. Book an appointment in our 16th arrondissement medical practice for customized support, combining safety, precision and natural rendering.
Between 8 and 12 years old, but the duration of a facelift depends above all on the initial elasticity of your skin. A facelift permanently removes excess skin and lifts sagging tissue, but it does not restore lost elasticity. Skin with low elasticity ages faster after the procedure. Smoking, sunlight and weight changes accelerate this process, so controlling them is essential.
No, a surgical facelift necessarily leads to incisions, and therefore scars. On the other hand, well-made, they can become almost invisible. It all depends on technique used. When we act deep down on the tissues, without exerting excessive tension on the surface, the closure is thinner, which means that the skin is more supple. prevents scar enlargement. The layout and location of incisions, and respect for the tragus, earlobe and hairline are all essential details. An expert hand ensures a natural result, without visible scars to the naked eye, even up close.
No, there is no no absolute limit for a neck lift. The determining factor is not the date of birth, but the age. skin quality and degree of tissue relaxation.
To find out, a simple test is used during the consultation: evaluation in the supine position. Lying down, gravity no longer acts on the tissues. If the neck and lower part of the face appear visibly rejuvenated in this position, this indicates that the volumes are still mobile and that the facelift will be effective. On the other hand, if no improvement is observed, it means that the skin has lost too much elasticity for surgery to be beneficial, making other approaches more appropriate. For example, it's not your age that counts, but the age of your skin. A facelift can therefore be considered at the age of 40 or 80, depending on the case.
No, the pain after a neck lift is generally slight and well controlled. Thanks to medical advances and a precise surgical procedure, inflammation is minimal. Most patients are satisfied with paracetamol, without intense pain. A good surgeon adapts his method to limit bleeding, swelling and discomfort. The post-operative sensation is mainly one of tension, or even slight swelling, which gradually disappears over a few days or weeks.
To deflate faster after a neck and lower face lift, sleep in a semi-sitting position, apply cool compresses (never ice cubes directly on the skin), It's a good idea to avoid exertion, and to scrupulously follow post-operative instructions. Smoking cessation, good hydration and regular follow-up with your surgeon also help to reduce post-operative tension and quickly restore a natural appearance.
Treatment depends on the cause: if it's a excess fat, a double chin liposuction often offers excellent results. If the loose skin, A cervico-facial lift may also be necessary.
In younger subjects, the skin retracts well after aspiration, often avoiding the need for further surgery. In older patients, however, the quality of the skin is poorer, and liposuction alone may leave excess skin. In this case, a facelift is recommended to remove this excess skin and redefine the roundness of the face. In all cases, the indication for liposuction should be established after clinical examination, based on morphology and skin elasticity.
Non-invasive methods (cryolipolysis, ultrasound) offer moderate and rarely lasting improvement. For a significant, harmonious and lasting result, the solution is often surgical, adapted to each individual case.
Dr Jérémy Djian is a plastic surgeon based at 5 square Thiers, near the Victor Hugo roundabout, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.
He trained in Paris and remains attached to the hospital in the prestigious department of Pr Laurent Lantieri.
