Facial aging rarely affects one feature in isolation. Jowls may begin to obscure the jawline while loose skin develops beneath the chin, or the neck may change more noticeably while the face retains much of its definition. A facelift and neck lift address different but sometimes overlapping patterns of aging, and understanding them can help you determine which procedure(s) deserve consideration.
Choosing the Right Surgical Procedure
At The Ocean Clinic Dermatology & Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. David R. Reinstadler evaluates the face and neck as connected areas rather than selecting a procedure based on age alone. During your initial consultation, he will consider where tissues have descended, the amount of skin laxity present, jawline and neck contours, and the changes that matter most to the patient.
For patients from throughout Newport Beach and Orange County, this assessment may lead to a facelift, neck lift, or a combination of the two. The objective is to match the extent and location of aging with an appropriate level of correction.
What Does a Facelift Improve?
A facelift primarily targets age-related changes affecting the lower face and jawline. As deeper facial tissues descend, they can contribute to jowling, heavier lower-face contours, and more pronounced folds.
Facelift surgery allows these tissues to be repositioned rather than simply pulling the skin tighter. Dr. Reinstadler performs deep plane facelift surgery, an approach that addresses deeper facial tissues and can improve the contours of the lower face while avoiding an excessively tight appearance.
What Does a Neck Lift Improve?
A neck lift shifts the focus below the jaw. Common concerns include loose or hanging neck skin, visible neck bands, fullness beneath the chin, and a poorly defined transition between the jaw and neck.
A “double chin” deserves special attention because its cause can vary. Redundant fat may contribute, but skin laxity and changes in the underlying neck structures can also influence the contour. A neck lift can address structural aging that fat reduction (such as through liposuction) alone cannot correct.
When Are a Facelift and Neck Lift Performed Together?
Aging frequently crosses the jawline. Those who have jowls along the lower face often also have loose neck skin or banding beneath it. Correcting only the face or only the neck in these circumstances could leave the untreated area noticeably out of balance.
Combining facelift and neck lift surgery allows Dr. Reinstadler to treat connected changes across the lower face, jawline, and neck. Not everyone needs both procedures, however. The recommendation depends on which tissues have changed and how much correction is necessary.
When Might a Non-Surgical Approach Be Considered?
Patients with earlier or less pronounced facial and neck aging may not need a facelift or neck lift yet. Depending on the concern, Dr. Reinstadler might recommend laser or energy-based treatments that encourage collagen production and improve tissue firmness.
FaceTite, a minimally invasive radiofrequency treatment, can also reduce early jowling, mild to moderate laxity, and localized fat beneath the chin. While these approaches cannot reposition significant tissue or remove substantial excess skin like surgery can, they may provide an appropriate option for patients hoping to slow early changes and delay more extensive surgery.
Find Out if a Neck Lift Or Face Lift Fits Your Aging Concerns
Whether you are bothered by jowls, nasolabial folds, loose neck skin, a double chin, or aging across multiple areas, the right procedure depends on what is creating those changes. Schedule a consultation with Dr. David R. Reinstadler at The Ocean Clinic in Newport Beach, California, to plan the treatment strategy that is best for you.