Are You a Candidate for a Neck Lift?

It is sometimes possible to hide your age with anti-aging face creams and collagen rejuvenation treatments, like HydraFacials, neurotoxins and dermal fillers. However, anti-aging techniques for the face do not always work well for the neck. If you're looking for an effective way to rejuvenate your neck, you may be a good candidate for a neck lift at the office of Steven H Dayan, MD in Chicago, IL. Today, we're looking at the characteristics a good candidate has.

Are You a Candidate for a Neck Lift?

We can tell you whether you are a candidate for a neck lift when you come in for your initial consultation. As a good general rule of thumb, if you are a fairly healthy adult who is concerned about the appearance of his or her neck, there is a good chance that you will be considered a good candidate.

However, there are many factors we must consider when determining who is healthy enough for a neck lift. Let's look at this a little closer at signs you're a candidate.

You Have Vertical Bands on Your Neck

One fairly clear sign you are a candidate for a neck lift is you have vertical bands on your neck. These vertical bands appear when the muscles of the neck become more visible due to weight loss. The so-called platysmal bands always existed; they were just hidden under layers of fat. When those pads of fat disappear over time, the cords of neck muscles become increasingly more visible until your age becomes undeniable.

This procedure addresses the visible, vertical, corded muscles of your neck by reshaping them and redraping the skin over them more attractively. If your neck muscles are too large due to years of muscle hyperactivity or carrying too much tension in your neck, your appearance can also be improved with Botox injections to relax the muscles. Furthermore, it is possible to remove some of the neck muscles if they are far too large.

You Have a Poorly Defined Jawline

You may also be a good candidate for a neck lift if you have a poorly defined jawline. One of the first signs of aging is sagging jowls that occur when the cheeks lose their volume. Unfortunately, once that skin starts to sag, augmenting the cheeks isn't always enough to tighten the sagging skin. This procedure can be used to remove any excess skin there may be along the jawline and lift and tighten the remaining skin.

Please note, it is very important that you discuss all of your aesthetic concerns with Dr. Steven Dayan when you come in for your initial evaluation. In some cases, platysmaplasty is enough to eliminate jowls. However, in other cases, a lower facelift must be combined with platysmaplasty to give you the look you want. This really comes down to the cause of your poorly defined jawlines and how tight your lower facial skin is.

You Have Horizontal Wrinkles and Creases on Your Neck

Another pretty good indicator you may be a good candidate for this procedure is horizontal wrinkles and creases encompassing your neck. Neck wrinkles and creases can have many causes, including collagen weakening due to age, collagen weakening due to tobacco use and collagen weakening due to unprotected sun exposure. Regardless of the cause of your wrinkles and creases, this procedure will eliminate moderate-to-severe wrinkles.

If you're concerned about the appearance of mild wrinkles affecting your neck and chest, you may be a better candidate for Morpheus8 treatments. The Morpheus8 is a device that allows for fractal skin resurfacing by combining the benefits of microneedling (collagen induction therapy) and radiofrequency energy. During your initial evaluation, Dr. Steven Dayan whether platysmaplasty alone or a combination of anti-aging techniques would be appropriate for you.

You Have a Double Chin

A double chin is another sign you may be a good candidate for this procedure. Some people think a double chin is corrected by a lower facelift but this is not necessarily the case. Platysmaplasty can correct a double chin by tightening the loose skin that is causing the appearance of a double chin and removing any excess skin you may have.

Keep in mind, this is the appropriate procedure if your submental fullness (double chin) is caused by poor posture, sagging or excess skin, a short neck or weak chin muscles. If you are experiencing submental fullness because you are overweight or have poor fat distribution, CoolSculpting or Kybella would be a more appropriate solution for you.

You Have an Understanding Supervisor

As with any anti-aging procedure, there is a post-op recovery period. To be considered a candidate for this procedure, you must have an understanding supervisor. Depending on your occupation type, you may need to take one to two weeks off from work to recover from this procedure. While there is no telling how long an individual will take to recover from any procedure, most people only need to take a week off from work if they have a sedentary job.

People with a job that is more labor-intensive may need to take up to two weeks off from work. However, it is imperative to understand that you must refrain from lifting anything over 10 pounds for six weeks following your procedure. If you lift over 10 pounds regularly at work, see if you can perform lighter duties for the first month you are back at work.

You Can Adhere to All Post-Op Care Requirements

If you have a supervisor who will let you take a week or two off from work and not lift anything too heavy for six weeks, there's a great chance you will be considered a good candidate for this procedure. However, you have to ask yourself if you can follow all post-op care requirements and answer honestly. If you're unsure whether you can adhere to all of the requirements, you may have to hold off on undergoing this procedure until you are confident.

When you come in for your initial consultation, Dr. Steven Dayan will assess your health, review your medical history and discuss your aesthetic goals to ensure this procedure is safe for you and will help you achieve those goals. He will also review all of the post-op care steps you must be able to adhere to. Feel free to ask him questions if there is anything unclear. He welcomes the opportunity to clarify anything that is unclear and address any concerns.

You Can Adhere to All Preparation Requirements

As important as it is to adhere to all post-op care requirements, it is also essential you can adhere to all preparation requirements. Dr. Steven Dayan will give you a comprehensive list of how to prepare for the procedure if he deems you healthy enough and determines it will improve your aesthetic. If you think you are healthy but take preventative drugs or supplements on the recommendation of your doctor, ask if it is safe for you to stop taking these temporarily.

We will summarize briefly now some of the things you must do to prepare for this procedure. Stop taking NSAIDs. Stop drinking alcohol. Stop consuming tobacco. Prepare a recovery room in your home. Arrange for a ride to and from our office. You'll get more details during your initial consultation. In the meantime, here's a little closer look:

Prepare a Recovery Room in Your Home

Preparing a recovery room in your home is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for your procedure. You will be tired during the first 24 hours post-op and you will probably feel the need to nap. Even if you don't want to lie down for a nap as soon as you get home, you will need somewhere to relax and rest.

Before you come in for your procedure, clean your favorite room in your home. Most people turn their living room into their recovery room because there is comfortable seating, room for books and a television. We recommend having some of your favorite movies readily available so you have a leisurely activity you can enjoy without having to engage your brain fully for extended periods of time. Make sure you have plenty of water and your prescriptions readily available.

Arrange for a Ride Home

It is strongly recommended that you have someone stay with you at home for at least the first 24 hours post-op. You may be so tired that you don't feel like doing anything. Having a loved one prepare healthy meals for you and make sure you have plenty of water will be a game-changer. However, if you don't have someone who can stay with you for the first 24 hours post-op, you at least need someone to drive you to and from your procedure.

To keep you comfortable during the procedure, you will be put under general anesthesia. However, you can't drive within 24 hours of waking up from general anesthesia because it causes drowsiness. Have your partner or a friend drive you to and from your procedure so you don't have to worry about returning for your car once it is safe for you to drive.

You Have Realistic Expectations About the Results

You must also have realistic expectations about the results to be considered a good candidate for this procedure. As with any anti-aging procedure, the results are not permanent and you may find you need a follow-up procedure in the future. The longevity of results varies from individual to individual but they typically last 12 to 15 years. After that time, another platysmaplasty may be necessary to maintain your self-confidence.

Bear in mind, there are things you can do to extend the results of your procedure. Although there are many reasons why people feel the need for platysmaplasty, it mostly comes down to the collagen in the neck skin weakening. You can't stop the aging process but you can take steps to maintain the health of your collagen by protecting your skin from UV damage, staying hydrated, eating nutritious foods and ceasing tobacco consumption.

Discover How to Rejuvenate Your Neck Today

If you are a healthy adult who is dissatisfied by the appearance of his or her neck, you may be a good candidate for a neck lift. However, you can't know for sure whether you qualify until you come in for an initial evaluation. Contact us today at Impressions Face + Body in Chicago, IL to schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Dayan and find out if you qualify for neck rejuvenation.