Neck Lift Fort Worth

Neck Lift in Fort Worth & Colleyville

Why Consider a Neck Lift?

Have you ever looked in the mirror and used your fingers to elevate the skin and structures of your neck? Did you like what you saw because it reminded you of a more youthful-looking you? If you answered yes, you may be a candidate for neck rejuvenation. You may also be pleasantly surprised to find that you may not need surgery to look younger.

The sagging skin and structures around your neck can add years to your appearance. Aging affects four key components of the face and neck: skin, muscle, bone, and fat. Every person has a different mix of these factors, and correcting them requires each one to be addressed in a specific way.

At our offices in Colleyville and Fort Worth, Dr. Jesse E. Smith offers surgical and non-surgical solutions tailored to your unique aging factors.

How the Neck Ages

The neck is often the first area people notice when they look in the mirror. Several things change at once: skin loses elasticity along the jawline and under the chin, the platysma muscle bands begin to separate and show through the skin, fat redistributes under the jaw, and the underlying support tissues stretch. The crisp angle between the chin and the neck softens or disappears.

Some patients are candidates for a neck-only procedure that addresses these changes directly. Others have related changes in the lower face, such as jowling along the jawline or descent of the cheek tissues, that influence how the neck looks even after it is treated. Dr. Smith reviews photos with each patient at consultation and explains which approach will produce the most natural result for that anatomy. When the lower face is contributing to the appearance of the neck, a facelift may be discussed as part of the conversation.

Non-Surgical Rejuvenation Options

Four components of the face and neck change with age: skin, muscle, bone, and fat. Skin loses elasticity and luster, bone loses volume, and muscles and ligaments become weak, contributing to a sagging appearance. Many surgeons have attempted to address these problems with lifts alone; however, the underlying issue can be volume loss that needs to be restored. Dr. Smith offers a variety of in-office treatments at both Colleyville and Fort Worth locations, such as:

• Fat Grafting
• Sculptra
• Juvéderm
• Radiesse
• Restylane

These non-surgical methods can effectively restore volume to the face and neck. Correcting volume loss alone can take years off a person’s appearance, and we commonly use these products in combination to restore a natural, youthful contour to the neck and jawline.

Traditional vs. Modern Neck Lift Techniques

Until recently, most neck lifting techniques were extensions of skin-only lifts, which often produced a somewhat unnatural and “pulled” appearance. Beneath the surface of the skin runs a thin sheet of muscle called the superficial musculoaponeurotic system, or SMAS. This forms a critical support network for the face and neck and stretches with time, leading to laxity of the overlying skin. The effects of gravity result in drooping of the skin because of decreased elasticity and stretching of the underlying structures. Surgeries with “SMAS plication” techniques (also known as “S” lift or “J” lift) yield somewhat better results than simple skin lifting in most individuals.

The Crucial Role of SMAS

For most patients, a deep-plane neck lift produces the most natural-looking result. The Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System (SMAS) is a thin layer of muscle providing critical support to the face and neck. Dr. Smith’s technique involves elevation of the SMAS with release of the tethering ligaments. After the SMAS is freed, it can be lifted and reset to a more youthful position, and the fat pads that descended with time are repositioned as well. This is a more advanced approach than traditional skin-only lifts. The same amount of skin is removed; however, during closure the tension on the skin is less, making scarring less apparent. Because the underlying structures are repositioned to a more youthful height, the “wind tunnel” look of older-style lifts is avoided, and scarring is minimized because there is less wound tension.

Deep-Plane Neck Lift Approach

Deep-plane neck surgery is technically demanding and not all surgeons feel comfortable with the technique. For the most natural and lasting results, Dr. Jesse E. Smith specializes in the deep-plane approach for neck rejuvenation. This advanced surgical option is available at both our Colleyville and Fort Worth offices. The recovery time is slightly longer than with skin-only lifts or their cousin, the mini-lift or lunchtime lift. The results, however, are more natural and longer-lasting.

Minimally Invasive Procedures for Younger Patients

Recently, the use of small cameras through camouflaged incisions within the hairline and inside the mouth has allowed for effective, minimally invasive lifts to be performed. These allow for enhancement of the central neck, making it an ideal procedure for patients in their 40s and early 50s. Endoscopic techniques are often combined with rejuvenation of other facial features as well.

A Tailored Approach for Each Patient

Dr. Jesse E. Smith believes in a personalized treatment plan, tailored to your unique anatomy and goals. Combinations of the techniques above may be needed to produce a natural, long-lasting result.

Get in touch to learn more or schedule a consult at our office in Colleyville or Fort Worth.

Your journey to a younger-looking you starts today!

Neck Lift Post-Op

Neck Lift Post-Op