When considering facial rejuvenation, many patients are quick to ask: “Do I need a neck lift, a lower facelift, or both?” It’s a great question—and one we hear often at Turkle & Associates. While these two procedures target different areas, they are closely related and are frequently performed together. In fact, choosing one without the other can sometimes lead to underwhelming or uneven results.
Let’s break down the differences, how they work in harmony, and why a combination approach often provides the most natural and satisfying outcome.
Understanding the Aging Process
As we age, skin loses elasticity, fat shifts downward, and muscles weaken. These changes don’t just occur in one spot—they often affect the lower face and neck simultaneously. That’s why treatments that address both areas together typically create the most cohesive and youthful result.
What Is a Neck Lift?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure that focuses on the neck and jawline area. It addresses loose skin, excess fat, and unwanted contours of the jawline and neck. It can improve the look of double chin, “jowls,” or “turkey waddle” that are caused by loosening of the tissues as we age. See some of our real-patient neck lift results here.
Neck Lift Benefits:
- Smoother, tighter neck appearance
- Removal of excess fatty deposits or double chin
- Reduced jowling
- Enhanced jawline definition
- Correction of neck banding or laxity
However, here’s the catch: signs of aging in the neck are almost always accompanied by similar effects to the lower face, so treating the neck alone doesn’t always create the results that patients are seeking. Read on to learn more about a facelift.
What Is a Facelift?
A facelift, also known as a rhytidectomy, traditionally focuses on lifting and smoothing the lower face and jawline. A facelift may include mild tightening of the upper neck, but it won’t fully address issues like neck bands or significant skin laxity in that area. See some of our real-patient facelift results here.
Facelift Benefits:
- Excess skin along jawline (jowling)
- Laxity of the facial tissues including the skin and underlying fat
- Deep creases from corners of mouth to jawline (marionette lines)
- Mid-face sagging skin
Why These Procedures Often Go Hand in Hand
Here’s the truth: aging doesn’t stop at the jawline, and neither should your rejuvenation. Patients often believe they only need a neck lift or facelift, but later feel that their results don’t meet their expectations—because the aging in both areas wasn’t addressed.
When you tighten and smooth the neck without correcting sagging in the jawline and jowls, it can create a mismatch—a youthful neck paired with an aging face. This can actually make the untreated areas stand out more.
At Turkle & Associates a facelift is typically combined with a neck lift in order to:
- Create a seamless, natural-looking transition between the face and neck
- Achieve more dramatic and longer-lasting results
- Maintain facial harmony and proportion
- Avoid the “pulled” look that can result from correcting only one area
Our double board certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Janet Turkle and Dr. Brandon Specht, frequently recommend and perform these procedures together because it produces the most balanced, comprehensive rejuvenation.
Personalized Care at Turkle & Associates
The decision to undergo facial surgery is deeply personal, and we’re here to guide you through every step. During your consultation with Dr. Turkle or Dr. Specht, we’ll assess your facial structure, skin condition, budget, and aesthetic goals to recommend the most effective procedure—whether that’s a neck lift, facelift, or both. Our priority is helping you look refreshed and natural—never overdone.
Ready to Rejuvenate Your Look?
Schedule your consultation with Turkle & Associates today and let’s determine the exact procedures that will leave you feeling confident, more youthful, and empowered. Reach out to our team through our website or by calling 317-848-0001.
