There are four key ways in which anatomical variation can contribute to the appearance of the neck and it is through these that the surgeon may help a patient make significant changes to their personal aesthetic.
Excess volume in the neck can make the chin look fuller and the jawline less well-defined, as can reduced development of the jawbone and chin, the laxity of the skin which increases with age, and the appearance of platysma bands.
The elasticity of the skin also affects the appearance of the face and neck, with skin laxity usually increasing with age and with accumulated sun damage.
The wrinkled appearance to the skin and excess skin, particularly in those losing considerable amounts of weight, can create cords and looseness in the front of the neck and under the chin that may be considered unsightly.
Removing excess skin as part of the neck lift surgery can help rejuvenate the face and neck to create a smoother, more youthful and vibrant look.
Volume excess in the neck can include fatty tissue immediately under the skin as well as the deeper layer of fat underneath the platysma muscles in the neck.
A fuller appearance to the neck may also result from submandibular glands beneath the chin which can be targeted for reduction during neck lift surgery.
Jawbone development and chin development vary between individuals with a wide range of widths and lengths contributing to the wonderful array of faces and figures we see every day.
Although significant facial restructuring involving the bones is not impossible, it is often more desirable to achieve the wanted look through less invasive neck lift surgery, including the removal of excess fatty tissue, and sometimes highlighting the bone contours with implants or fat transfer.
Platysma bands are those vertical bands that often develop in the midline of the neck as we age. They are more noticeable in thin men and women, and can be partially masked by excess fatty tissue in the neck.
These bands are caused by the progressive relaxation of the attachments of the superficial plastysma muscles in the neck and through a process of tightening of these muscles a firmer contour can be achieved in the neck and jawline.
This is often referred to as corset platysmaplasty, because of the tightening that happens in the midline and sides of these muscles, creating a sling of support under the chin.
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