Face and neck lifting is one operation that lifts sagging tissue in the lower face and tightens the neck. It treats jowls, a blurred jawline, loose neck skin and muscle bands. The surgeon lifts the deeper layer of the face, tightens the neck muscle through a small cut under the chin and trims extra skin.
This guide is one part of our facelift series. If your main concern is the neck alone, you can also read our neck lift overview.
Lower face and neck lift explained
A lower face and neck lift treats the jawline and neck together because the cheek’s support layer, the SMAS, continues down into the neck muscle.
The SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system) supports the mid and lower face. Below the jaw it blends into the platysma, the thin sheet of muscle in the front of the neck. When both loosen, jowls form and the neck angle softens. Lifting only one area can leave a mismatch, which is why the two are often done together.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US), a neck lift incision runs in front of the earlobe, around the ear and into the hair behind it. A second incision under the chin is often needed to tighten the platysma and remove fat with liposuction. In a combined lift, the facelift incision at the temple joins the same path around the ear.
A deep face and neck lift adds deep plane work in the face. A 2026 StatPearls review on NCBI Bookshelf (US) matches jowls and neck sagging, with or without bands, to an SMAS lift plus cervicoplasty (neck tightening). Our guide to facelift types explains each technique.
At consultation, the first thing I look at is whether the neck problem is skin, fat, muscle bands or a mix. Each needs a different step, and a chin and neck lift that ignores one of them won’t look finished.
Face and neck lifting before and after
Before and after photos of face and neck lifting usually show a sharper jaw-to-neck angle, smaller jowls and fewer neck bands, while the face still looks like you.
The neck often shows the biggest early change. It’s also the area that relaxes most over time. In a study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and reported by ASPS (US) in 2012, 50 patients were assessed an average of 5.5 years after a facelift. About 76% still looked younger than before surgery. The angle between chin and neck had lost about 70% of its improvement, while jowl height had lost about 20%.
| Area | What usually improves | What it won’t change |
|---|---|---|
| Jawline | Jowls reduced, cleaner line from chin to ear | Bone shape or a small chin |
| Under the chin | Fat reduced, angle sharper | Fat under the muscle unless treated directly |
| Neck | Loose skin and muscle bands tightened | Fine crepey lines and sun damage |
| Mouth and cheeks | Folds softened | Lip lines or lost volume, which need other treatments |
For more about judging photos, see our facelift before and after guide.
Neck and jowl lift: who it suits
A neck and jowl lift suits people whose jowls and loose neck bother them more than the upper face, with healthy skin and stable weight.
ASPS (US) notes that some people have an upper face that still looks good but a neck that doesn’t match, and a neck-focused lift can fit them. If the cheeks have also dropped, a full lower face neck lift is usually needed for a balanced result.
- Good candidates: healthy nonsmokers with realistic goals, according to ASPS (US).
- Less suitable: people whose weight is still changing, people with uncontrolled blood pressure or bleeding problems, and smokers. A StatPearls review lists all three as risk factors.
- Not a fix for: a weak chin or low-hanging glands, which need separate assessment.
Men need specific planning. StatPearls reports that men have about twice the risk of hematoma after facelift surgery. Beard hair also has to stay in a natural position.
Face and neck lift recovery
Recovery usually means one night of close care, stitches out at about a week, looking presentable at two weeks and avoiding strain for four to six weeks.
- First 24 hours: a pressure dressing and possibly drains. Major bleeding usually shows up in this window, and a neck hematoma can affect breathing, so it needs urgent treatment (StatPearls, US).
- Day 1: dressing and drain removal at the clinic.
- Week 1: keep your head above your heart and avoid twisting or bending your neck. ASPS (US) warns not to put ice on the neck after a neck lift, because it can reduce blood flow to the skin.
- Days 7 to 14: stitches come out. The National Health Service (NHS, UK) gives 7 to 14 days for stitch removal and at least two weeks of bruising.
- Weeks 1 to 2: a support garment is often worn, sometimes longer at night (StatPearls, US).
- Weeks 4 to 6: avoid heavy lifting, straining and bending (StatPearls, US).
- Months 6 to 9: the final shape appears (NHS, UK).
Call your surgeon straight away if you notice
- Neck swelling that grows quickly, or any difficulty breathing or swallowing.
- Fever of 101.5°F (38.6°C) or more, pus or spreading redness.
- A crooked smile, or chest pain, breathlessness or a swollen calf.
What I tell patients before surgery is that the neck feels tight for weeks. That’s normal. A sudden change in swelling isn’t, and they should call.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
Answers on face and neck lift results, recovery time, mini versions, how long it lasts and whether you need both areas done.
Do I need a face and neck lift or just a neck lift?
If your cheeks and jowls look fine and only the neck has loosened, a neck lift may be enough. If jowls and neck changed together, lifting both gives a more even result. Your surgeon decides by checking skin, fat, muscle bands and cheek position.
How long is face and neck lift recovery?
Most people look presentable after about two weeks. Stitches come out in 7 to 14 days, strenuous activity waits at least two weeks, and heavy lifting usually waits four to six weeks. The NHS says the final result can take six to nine months to appear.
What do mini face and neck lift before and after results show?
A mini version uses shorter incisions around the ear and gives a smaller change. ASPS says limited-incision neck lifts may produce more limited results. They suit early jowls and mild neck laxity, not heavy neck bands or a lot of loose skin.
How long does a face and neck lift last?
Results last years, but the neck relaxes faster than the jawline. In one study, 76% of patients still looked younger at about 5.5 years, though the chin-neck angle lost about 70% of its gain. Stable weight and sun protection help.
Is a face and neck lift more risky than a facelift alone?
It involves more surgery, so time under anesthesia is longer. Bleeding under the neck skin is the main concern, because a neck hematoma can affect the airway. Controlling blood pressure and stopping blood-thinning medicines as instructed lowers that risk.
If you’d like your jawline and neck assessed together, you can schedule a consultation with Metropole Clinic by ABmedi. For costs and other techniques, go back to our facelift hub.
This article is for general education and does not replace a personal medical consultation.
References
Show sources
- Neck Lift. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Neck Lift: Procedure steps. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Neck Lift: Recovery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
- Yang AJ, Hohman MH. Cervicofacial Rhytidectomy. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (US). Updated 2026. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Hohman MH, Raggio BS, Patel BC. Deep Plane Facelift. StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf (US). Updated 2026. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Journal report finds patients still look younger five years after facelift surgery. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). 2012. plasticsurgery.org
- Facelift. National Health Service (NHS, UK). Reviewed 2023. nhs.uk
- Facelift: Candidates. American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS, US). Accessed 2026. plasticsurgery.org
