Dr. Henry Mentz Says Advanced Neck Rejuvenation Methods are the Key to Better Necklift Results
Surgical Neck Rejuvenation
Surgery for the aging neck has become far more complex and effective, allowing cosmetic plastic surgeons to better refine the youthful architecture of the jaw and neckline. Whereas old-school methods have focused on skin and muscle tightening to lift the neck, new techniques target the deeper neck structures. These techniques create a longer, more elegant neck contour, and they enhance jawline definition. In addition, you can leave more fat under the skin, which gives it a more supple, soft and luscious look. Traditionally, with a neck lift, muscle is stitched together under the chin, then the muscle is elevated under both ears. This suspends the neck in a type of muscular hammock.
ACPS surgeon and facelift expert Dr. Henry Mentz said, “This approach has been around 30 years and has worked pretty well. But now we are going beneath the hammock to improve these 3 areas: 1. The deep muscle under the chin can be thinned to sculpt a sharper jawline angle. 2. Deep fat between the muscles may be removed to create a more youthful jawline appearance. 3. We can remove a portion of the submaxillary gland—a gland for saliva that sits under the jawline. The older you get, the more it slides down the neck. For many years, this has been one of the limitations to creating a youthful jawline. Now we can remove the bottom half of that gland. Contouring of these deep structures has created a whole new level of improvement in neck rejuvenation. I’ve been doing it for a long time but have become more aggressive with it.”
Neck lift surgery can be an excellent solution for individuals who wish to improve the following aesthetic concerns:
- Lack of definition in the jawline
- Loose, crepey neck skin—often referred to as a “turkey wattle”
- Unwanted neck bulk due to excess fat
ACPS surgeons typically perform neck lift surgery in combination with facelift surgery and other facial surgical procedures rather than as an isolated procedure. This is because, as we age, other facial features such as the eyes and brow usually experience sagging in conjunction with the neck. By addressing the face as a whole, natural, balanced-looking rejuvenation is better achieved.
Nonsurgical Neck Rejuvenation to Tighten Sagging Skin and Reduce A Double Chin
For those who are interested in nonsurgical options to improve the neck’s appearance, the spa providers at ACPS – The Spa & Rejuvenation Center offer several treatment options depending upon the aesthetic objective. Kybella, a cosmetic injectable, reduces the submental fat which can cause the appearance of a double chin. Another option for excess fat in this area is CoolSculpting, which uses a controlled cooling method to target and eliminate fat cells without damage to surrounding tissues. In addition, ACPS’s aesthetic nurse injectors are skilled at combining cosmetic injectables to soften “necklace lines.” These horizontal creases develop across the neck due to aging and a modern habit that characterizes our era: frequent bending of the neck to check mobile devices. Our skin tightening lasers such as Ultherapy, ThermiTight and Sciton Halo and Forever Young BBL can tighten sagging skin and improve its texture and tone.
With so many choices, it can be daunting to determine which treatment or combination of treatment will best deliver the results for which you are looking. The degree of skin laxity, skin quality and your aesthetic goals are a few of the factors to consider in making your choice. A consultation with one of our award-winning plastic surgeons or aesthetic nurse injectors will give you the clarity you need to make the best decision for you.
Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Facelift, clinically called rhytidectomy, is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure designed to reduce lines, wrinkles, and other telltale signs of aging from the face. The procedure can help to restore a more youthful appearance of the face and jaw. The facelift surgeon will remove excess fat and skin from the face, and lift and tighten the underlying facial muscles.
The patient should choose an experienced plastic surgeon who will combine the principles of art and science to produce safe, sustainable and aesthetically desirable results. The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery is a leading practice providing facelift and various other procedures to patients in Houston, TX, and surrounding communities.
Before and After Photo Gallery
Who is a Suitable Candidate?
Women and men who are unhappy with the loose skin and sagging facial muscles or have a conspicuous appearance of lines and wrinkles that make the face look older or tired may consider facelift plastic surgery.
Optimal results with this procedure can be achieved for candidates who have some amount of elasticity and suppleness still left in the skin. Furthermore, the candidate should have a strong underlying facial bone structure to provide support and contribute to desirable outcomes.
Surgical Techniques
Depending on the patient’s needs and the extent of surgery involved, the cosmetic surgeon may choose an appropriate surgical technique to perform facelift. Patients in Houston, TX, and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive this procedure at the Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery.
Endoscopic Facelift
The endoscopic facelift technique will involve the insertion of a microscopic camera through the incisions. This will allow the surgeon to view the underlying facial structure on a monitor, and perform more precise surgery in a less invasive manner. The procedure typically involves three small incisions, and excess tissue will be removed and muscles will be lifted through the incisions.
Cutaneous Facelift
This is an old technique that confines itself only to the removal of excess facial skin. A long incision can be made discreetly along the hairline, and the surgeon will gently lift the skin and suture it tightly at a higher position. Risks are reduced because the procedure does not involve changes to the muscular structure.
SMAS (Superficial Musculoaponeurotic System) Facelift
SMAS facelift is more popular today because it produces more comprehensive results. The procedure will involve removal of excess skin as well as lifting and tightening of the underlying muscle structure to enhance facial contours. Results are more permanent and natural looking with SMAS technique.
Average Price Tag
The monetary amount of a facelift surgery will vary depending on the extent of surgery involved, the type of technique used, and several other factors. On average, the dollar number of a facelift procedure in the US at present is about $7,000, without accounting for the costs of anesthesia, surgical room costs, prescriptions, and medical tests.
More About Facial Procedures
Recovery
Facelift surgery will typically involve a downtime of about one week, but the patient should perform light movements at home to maintain blood flow. Strenuous activities should be avoided for about a month. Most patients can go back to work or resume their everyday routine in about a week to 10 days.
For more information about The Aesthetic Center for Plastic Surgery (ACPS) physicians and the cosmetic surgery treatments and procedures they perform please click here or call us at 713.799.9999. We have offices in and around Houston, Texas.