Facelift and Neck Lift: The Secret to Holistic and Comprehensive Rejuvenation

When you look in the mirror, the wrinkles on your face and neck may appear as a natural part of the aging process. While these lines reflect the story of your life, they can also make you look older than you are. The facelift and neck lift procedures offered in modern plastic surgery provide an effective solution to overcome this situation. By combining these procedures, you can reshape your facial and neck contours, achieving a more youthful and dynamic appearance. The combination of facelift and neck lift procedures delivers a holistic rejuvenation effect, providing a comprehensive solution for all facial and neck area concerns, making it a very popular option today.

What are Facelift and Neck Lift Procedures?

Facelift: A facelift is a surgical procedure performed to reduce the signs of aging on the face and achieve a more youthful appearance. Facelifts are comprehensive aesthetic surgical methods typically preferred for individuals in middle and older age, which can be individually tailored and performed using various techniques such as.

1. Traditional Facelift: This procedure corrects sagging in the lower third of the face and jawline, reducing deep wrinkles. The facelift also targets the SMAS layer (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) beneath the skin, providing longer-lasting and more natural results.
2. Endoscopic Facelift: This is a minimally invasive technique. It is performed using an endoscope through small incisions. It is particularly preferred to correct sagging in the forehead, brow, and mid-face areas.
3. Mid-Face Lift: Addresses sagging in the cheek area. It corrects issues such as under-eye bags, deep nasolabial folds, and for cheeks slipped downwards.
4. Mini-Facelift: This is a less invasive procedure generally suitable for patients with early signs of aging. It involves shorter incisions and recovery time.

Neck Lift: A neck lift is a surgical procedure performed to improve the appearance of the neck and achieve a more youthful look. This procedure targets the signs of aging in the neck area and is often combined with a facelift. The neck lift procedure includes the following aspects:

1. Skin Tightening: A smoother appearance is achieved by tightening loose and sagging skin in the neck area.
2. Muscle Correction: The neck muscles, especially the platysma muscle, are repositioned and tightened. This helps define the neck lines and reduces the appearance of a “turkey neck”.
3. Fat Removal or Redistribution: If necessary, excess fat tissue under the chin is removed or reshaped. This helps reduce the appearance of a “double chin”.
4. Jawline Correction: The procedure creates a more prominent and sharper jawline, giving the lower part of the face a more youthful and defined appearance.

The neck lift can be performed using following various techniques depending on the individual’s needs and the surgeon’s preferences:

• Traditional Neck Lift: Incisions are made from the front of the ear extending into the hairline behind the ear. This method is preferred for more extensive corrections.
• Limited Incision Neck Lift: This method, suitable for patients with less noticeable signs of aging, involves a small incision only under the chin.
• Endoscopic Neck Lift: This technique, performed with minimal incisions, shortens recovery time and minimizes scarring.

Why Should We Combine These Two Procedures?

1. Comprehensive Result: The face and neck are interconnected regions. Treating only one area may make the signs of aging in the other area more noticeable. A unified approach ensures a more harmonious and balanced appearance.
2. Cost-Effectiveness: Generally, performing two procedures simultaneously is more economical than doing them separately. It requires a single operation time, anesthesia, and hospital stay.
3. Single Recovery Process: The patient undergoes one process instead of two separate operations and recovery periods. This shortens the overall recovery time and allows for a quicker return to daily life.
4. More Natural Appearance: When the face and neck are treated together, a more balanced and natural result is achieved. This helps avoid the “operated” look.
5. Long-Term Results: The combined approach addresses the aging process more comprehensively, ensuring the results last longer.

Treatment Process:

1. Consultation: The surgeon conducts a detailed assessment of the patient’s expectations, medical history, and lifestyle.
2. Planning: A personalized treatment plan is created. This plan is based on the patient’s facial and neck anatomy, skin quality, and the degree of aging.
3. Surgery: The operation typically lasts 3–5 hours under general anesthesia. Incisions begin at the front of the ear and extend along the hairline. The SMAS layer is repositioned, excess skin is removed, and the neck muscles are tightened.
4. Recovery: Mild swelling and bruising are normal after the surgery. Generally, you can expect the following phases of the recovery process:
   1. First Week: Swelling and bruising are most noticeable. You should keep your head elevated and avoid strenuous activities.
   2. 2–4 Weeks: Swelling and bruising begin to subside. You may start to see initial results, but full recovery is still in progress.
   3. 2-3 Months: Most of the swelling has disappeared and you can see the full effect of the surgery. Your face and neck should look naturally rejuvenated.
   4. Long-Term: Continue to avoid excessive sun exposure to maintain the results and minimize scarring.

Scarring is a concern for many patients. While some scarring is unavoidable, there are ways to minimize it:

• Carefully follow post-operative care instructions.
• Avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen.
• Use scar treatments (products recommended by your surgeon).

By performing facelift and neck lift procedures simultaneously, the signs of skin aging are significantly reduced, giving you a younger and more dynamic appearance. This combination eliminates sagging in the face and neck, reshapes the contours, and provides a more youthful expression. As a result, you’ll experience a natural rejuvenation that makes you feel younger and more energized when you look in the mirror.

Remember, every patient is unique and requires an individualized treatment plan. To achieve the best results, it is important to consult with an experienced plastic surgeon. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions about facelift and neck lift procedures. Our clinic is located in Nişantaşı, in the heart of Istanbul. Our location, where you can conveniently access all the amenities offered by the city, will make your pre- and post-operative processes more comfortable. With our experienced team and state-of-the-art equipment, our goal is to meet your expectations as best as possible and create a personalized treatment plan for you.

We wish you healthy days ahead.