In this guide6 sections
Skin elasticity declines with age because collagen production decreases. Age-related fat loss occurs in certain areas of the face, leading to sunken cheeks, and the underlying bone loses its defined contours. Facelifts and neck lifts are common cosmetic surgery procedures that address signs of ageing in the face and neck, including a sagging neck, turkey neck, a double chin, and jowls.
Facelift surgery, or rhytidectomy, lifts the skin and soft tissues of the face to a higher level, helping reduce wrinkles and sagging skin and restore a youthful look. Neck lift surgery similarly aims to tighten the skin around the jawline and chin. A neck lift can effectively reduce jowls for a more defined jawline. Facelift and neck lift procedures are the ideal treatment options for a double chin, sagging neck, turkey and jowls. A mini facelift tightens sagging skin in the lower part of the face. For those with early signs of ageing, a one-stitch facelift can rejuvenate the mid-face. Men also commonly have a facelift at our modern Baker Street clinic in Marylebone.
Double chin
When people talk about a double chin, they usually refer to excess fat in the submental area, which can make a person look like they have two chins.
Excess fat accumulation beneath the chin is linked to several factors. A double chin most commonly forms due to significant weight gain and is common in people who are overweight or obese. The natural ageing process may also lead to a double chin. As we age, skin loses elasticity, and excess fat becomes more noticeable. Some people are more predisposed to developing a double chin due to the anatomy of their chin and neck. There are several small muscles which form the floor of the mouth and primarily function to stabilise the position of the trachea with their insertion into the hyoid bone. People with a high insertion level are more likely to have a well-defined chin-neck angle. Those with a lower insertion angle may have a poorly defined angle between the neck and chin. This means that removing fat from beneath the chin is unlikely to improve definition.
People with double chins can lose self-confidence and may feel increasingly self-conscious about how they look. This may cause them to avoid certain situations where the double chin may appear more prominent such as on video conferencing. Choosing a facelift and neck lift at Centre for Surgery can help remove a double chin permanently. Facelift surgery involves removing loose skin and excess fat from the lower face, chin, and neck area. Once excess skin and fat are trimmed, the remaining skin will be repositioned upward to tighten the lower face and neck and eliminate a double chin. Chin liposuction is an effective alternative treatment to remove fat beneath the chin and contour the jawline in those with good skin elasticity.
Sagging neck
The neck area is a common site for developing sagging and loose skin from loss of skin elasticity. Common causes include ageing, significant weight loss, hereditary and lifestyle factors, including smoking, too much sunlight exposure and inadequate skin care. People with significant fat beneath the chin, also known as submental fat, combined with a reduced neck-chin angle, are more likely to develop sagging skin in the neck. The cervical-mental angle relates to the position of the small muscles that insert into the floor of the mouth and help stabilise the trachea. A low hyoid bone position often creates an ill-defined angle, making the skin appear tented between the chin and neck.
The ageing process, excessive sun exposure, and smoking are most often responsible for sagging skin that affects the neck. Skin often loses elasticity over time and becomes much thinner. This makes the vertical cords of the platysma muscle around the neck more visible. These vertical neck cords are also known as neck bands. In some cases, vertical neck bands are commonly seen with excess skin in the middle of the neck, often referred to as a turkey neck.
Several non-surgical treatments can help with loose neck skin, but none are as effective as neck lift surgery for removing a saggy neck. Neck lift surgery involves repositioning the skin upwards and backwards to tighten loose neck skin. This can also eliminate sagging jowls along the jawline in the same procedure. Facelift or neck lift surgery may be combined with fat transfer to the face to enhance volume in areas such as the cheeks.
Turkey neck
A ‘turkey neck‘ refers to excess skin, which often sags in the middle part of the neck from the chin. This loose and redundant skin often hangs over a considerable part of the neck, and the turkey neck description comes from a certain species of bird with a well-defined flap of skin that hangs down from beneath its chin. The ageing process most commonly causes a turkey neck because of a loss of skin elasticity and collagen. Loose skin then tends to sag downwards from the chin. As neck muscles weaken with age, the overlying skin loses its natural tightness. People who have lost significant weight are at greater risk of developing a turkey neck. Although facial exercises have been promoted to reduce the appearance of a turkey neck, they are mainly ineffective. The best treatment for a turkey neck is a surgical neck lift that removes loose skin and excess fat and tightens the neck muscles.
Saggy Jowls
Sagging Jowls are an inevitable part of the ageing process and gradually become a prominent jawline feature. Jowls form due to a loss of skin elasticity and become more prominent under gravity. The soft tissues of the face are maintained in position by a series of anatomical ligaments linking various parts of the facial anatomy. The upper part of the face often appears wider and tapers down towards a narrow chin when we are younger. This reverses as we age, resulting in a wider lower face and a narrower upper face. The lateral aspect of the eyes begins to descend, and the corners of the mouth become downturned. Nasolabial folds develop due to the loosening of the soft tissue attachments of the skin, and the jawline begins to lose its definition with the formation of jowls with age.
Everyone will eventually develop jowls as we age, although some are more likely to have more prominent jowls than others. This can be genetic in some cases, although excessive sunlight exposure and smoking are more likely to result in extensive jowls. A person’s ethnic origin and Fitzpatrick skin type can also determine when jowls begin to form. Those with lighter skin types, particularly from northern Europe, may be more likely to develop extensive jowls than those from Southern Europe. Well-defined facial features, including high cheekbones and a prominent jawline, can help reduce the appearance of jowls.
You can take steps to delay the onset of jowls, including regular sunscreen use and a consistent daily skincare routine. Still, you may need surgery later on. A mini facelift can help reduce and tighten the lower part of the face and restore a natural inverted triangle shape often associated with youth.
Choosing a facelift at Centre for Surgery means you will have an expert surgeon to carry out your procedure. Our surgeons are skilled at delicately separating sagging soft tissue from the underlying bone, then repositioning the tissue higher to tighten the skin and reduce jowls. Despite the many non-surgical facelift treatments available, a facelift remains the most effective way to address the signs of facial ageing.
Non-surgical facelift
A non-surgical facelift is an excellent procedure for restoring a natural and younger facial appearance with anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers. Facial injectable treatments are commonly used to replace lost facial volume and fill lines, wrinkles, and deeper skin folds. A non-surgical facelift is a powerful, completely non-surgical technique with minimal downtime and minimal risk. A non-surgical facelift is performed in the clinic using specialised combinations of wrinkle-relaxing injections and dermal fillers to stop facial ageing. Your surgeon will first apply a topical anaesthetic cream for 30-45 minutes to optimise patient comfort during the injection part of the procedure. Patient downtime is minimal and includes minor swelling and bruising, which settle quickly. Patients can apply makeup after treatment to allow full resumption of daily activities.
Although a non-surgical facelift has many benefits, including its safety and effectiveness, there are disadvantages to be aware of. The main drawback is that the results are not permanent. Dermal fillers last up to 12-15 months, depending on the type of filler used and where it’s placed. The best strategy to maintain results is maintenance top-up treatments every 6-9 months. Anti-wrinkle injections need more frequent top-ups, often every 3-4 months. Before committing to a non-surgical facelift, patients must understand the need for regular maintenance treatments to maintain results. Non-surgical facelifts have surged in popularity in recent years; however, if a patient has moderate to severe skin laxity, anti-wrinkle injections and dermal fillers may not be enough to achieve the desired appearance. With access to the full range of surgical and non-surgical options, our surgeons can advise you on the best treatment for you.
Facelift surgery at Centre for Surgery
If you have noticed a sagging neck, jowls, double chin or a turkey neck, get in touch with us today to arrange a detailed consultation with a plastic surgeon at Centre for Surgery to discuss the full range of treatments, including mini facelift, one stitch facelift and full facelift surgery.
