Deep Vertical Neck Lift
Dr. Balikian’s deep vertical neck lift sculpts and refines the neck and jawline by addressing fat, loose skin, and underlying muscle laxity for a more youthful, balanced profile.
Redefining the Neck & Jawline
A graceful neck and sculpted jawline are essential to a youthful, harmonious profile. With age, visible changes such as sagging skin, muscle banding, and submental fullness can obscure the definition of the neck and jaw.
As a foundational element of the Artiste Lift™, Dr. Richard Balikian’s deep vertical neck lift addresses these concerns by going beyond surface-level tightening. This advanced technique releases and repositions the deep structures of the neck in concert with his preservation deep plane facelift, creating natural, lasting rejuvenation from the face through the neck with refined precision and artistry.
“That’s how we get necklines that are super sharp, elongated, elegant, and beautiful. That’s why our patients come in and say, ‘I love my neck.’”
– Dr. Balikian
What the Deep Vertical Neck Lift Can Improve
The deep vertical neck lift is designed to correct the most common signs of aging in the lower face and neck by addressing both surface concerns and the deeper structures beneath.
- Reduces the appearance of a double chin, jowls, and “turkey wattle”
- Removes stubborn fat deposits and sagging skin
- Rejoins and tightens loose platysma muscles for better structural support
- Reshapes the neck for a smoother, more refined contour
- Can be paired with a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation
Whether performed alone or as part of a facelift, the deep vertical neck lift provides natural-looking results that restore confidence and balance to your appearance.
See the Artistry Behind Every Contour
Dr. Balikian’s Signature Techniques
Dr. Balikian’s advanced deep vertical neck lift goes far beyond traditional methods. Each layer of the neck, from skin to muscle to deep fat and glands, is addressed with care to create a sculpted, long-lasting result.
A Surgeon’s Approach, An Artist’s Eye
With over 20 years of experience and dual board certification, Dr. Balikian customizes every procedure based on your anatomy and goals. His signature approach often includes a combination of:
- Subplatysmal Fat Sculpting – Rather than removing superficial fat, Dr. Balikian gently contours the fat beneath the platysma muscle, avoiding an overdone or hollow look. Strategic preservation ensures a natural contour.
- Digastric Muscle Refinement – Prominent digastric muscles beneath the chin can create bulk. These are carefully trimmed, not removed, to restore smoothness while maintaining function.
- Submandibular Gland Reduction – Sagging salivary glands under the jaw can create unwanted bulges. Dr. Balikian selectively reduces the visible portion, using advanced energy devices for safety and precision.
- Platysmaplasty with Vertical Elevation – Rather than pulling tissue horizontally, Dr. Balikian tightens the platysma muscle centrally using figure-of-eight sutures, restoring its youthful “hammock” support and enabling true vertical lift.
- Hyoid Release – To allow vertical movement of the neck tissues, a hyoid-platysmal release is performed. This critical step frees the neck for a smoother, lifted contour.
- Mastoid Crevasse Technique – Adapted from advanced deep-plane methods, this technique lifts the tissues upward and inward from the mastoid region, rather than pulling them back. It sharpens the jawline, narrows the neck, and delivers a naturally sculpted finish.
Dr. Balikian’s deep vertical neck lift isn’t just a procedure, it’s a customized work of facial sculpture. Every layer is addressed based on your unique anatomy to deliver results that are not tight or over-pulled, but balanced, refined, and natural-looking.
Your Journey Starts Here
What to Expect: From Consultation to Recovery
Your transformation begins with a highly individualized approach.
At Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery, we combine surgical expertise with refined artistry to guide you through every phase of your rejuvenation journey.
Personalized Consultation
Your journey begins with a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Balikian.
During this visit, he will carefully evaluate your neck, jawline, and overall facial structure, listen to your concerns, and design a customized surgical plan.
Day of Surgery
The deep vertical neck lift is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.
The surgery lasts between 2–4 hours, depending on the complexity and whether it’s combined with other facial procedures such as a preservation deep plane facelift or CO2 laser resurfacing.
Recovery Timeline
Recovery from a deep vertical neck lift is a gradual process, with visible improvements unfolding in stages as the tissues heal and settle into place.
- Week 1 : Swelling and bruising are expected. Most patients rest at home with head elevation and limited movement.
- Week 2 : Stitches are removed (if applicable). Many patients begin to feel more social and return to non-strenuous work.
- Weeks 3–6 : Swelling continues to subside. The neck appears more defined, and the jawline becomes more sculpted.
- Months 3–6 : Final results reveal a youthful, elongated neck contour with natural transitions between the lower face and neck.
By the end of the healing period, patients enjoy a naturally lifted, refined neckline that enhances their overall facial balance and confidence.
Accelerate Healing with Light Therapy
To support a smoother recovery, we offer pre- and post-surgical light therapy using advanced blue and yellow wavelengths.
This noninvasive treatment helps reduce inflammation, minimize swelling and bruising, and promote faster tissue regeneration, enhancing comfort and improving your overall healing experience.
Long-Term Results
As collagen rebuilds and deep tissues settle into place, your results will continue to improve for up to a year.
With proper skincare and sun protection, results can last 10+ years.
Is a Deep Vertical Neck Lift Right for You?
Wondering if you’re a good candidate? This advanced procedure is ideal for patients who:
- Notice sagging skin or excess fat under the chin
- Have visible muscle banding or a “turkey neck” appearance
- Want a sharper, more refined jawline
- Seek long-lasting results beyond non-surgical treatments
- Are in good health and want natural-looking rejuvenation
If these concerns sound familiar, a deep vertical neck lift may be the right solution to help you achieve a more youthful, sculpted profile.
Neck Lift FAQs
What is a neck lift (cervicoplasty / platysmaplasty)?
A neck lift is a surgical procedure to remove excess skin and fat in the neck, tighten the platysma (neck muscle), and restore a defined jawline and smooth neck profile. It can address sagging skin, platysmal bands, submental fullness, and loss of cervicomental angle.
What makes the deep vertical neck lift different from a traditional neck lift?
Unlike traditional lifts that focus mainly on skin tightening, Dr. Balikian’s approach addresses the deep structures, including fat, muscle, and glands, for longer lasting, more natural results.
Who is a good candidate for a neck lift?
Ideal candidates are generally nonsmokers in good health, bothered by loose neck skin, neck fat, or vertical platysmal banding, and who have realistic goals. Skin elasticity, overall facial balance, and the degree of neck aging are all evaluated during consultation.
What techniques are used in a neck lift?
Various techniques may be used depending on anatomy and goals:
- Platysmaplasty (tightening or suturing the platysma)
- Submental fat excision or liposuction
- Removal or repositioning of subplatysmal fat and deeper structures
- Skin redraping and excision
- Combination with facelift approaches when appropriate (deep plane facelift + neck)
Recent literature underlines that addressing deeper fat and structural elements enhances contour outcomes. (Optimizing Outcomes in Neck Lift Surgery)
Also, deep neck lift approaches consider muscular, glandular, and subplatysmal structures for optimal results. (Deep Neck Lift Anatomy Review)
How much volume is removed in a neck lift?
In a study of deep cervicoplasty, surgeons removed on average 22.3 cm³ from both supra- and subplatysmal planes—with subplatysmal fat accounting for about 73% of that volume. This quantification helps guide planning.
How durable are neck lift results?
Neck lift results are generally durable and long lasting. While aging continues, many patients maintain improvement for many years. Long-term studies suggest that treating deeper structures, not just superficial tightening, improves durability.
What are the risks and complication rates?
Common risks include hematoma, scarring, nerve injury (such as marginal mandibular branch), skin loss, and recurrence of platysmal bands. A pooled analysis of neck lift surgery found a recurrence of platysmal bands rate of ~1.4%, nerve damage ~0.9%, and hematoma ~1.8%.
Can neck lift be safely combined with a facelift?
Yes. Many modern techniques integrate neck and facelift to produce graceful transition from face to neck. Recent reviews on facelift/necklift trends emphasize that combining both can yield harmonious, comprehensive rejuvenation when done by experienced surgeons.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to a neck lift?
In mild cases, options such as energy devices (radiofrequency, ultrasound), injectable fat reduction (Kybella), or skin tightening may help. However, non-surgical methods cannot fully replicate the tightening of deep tissues that a neck lift addresses. Surgical neck lift remains the gold standard for moderate to advanced neck aging. (Current Trends in Facelift and Necklift)
Does neck lift address jawline/jowls also?
While the primary focus is the neck, many neck lift surgeries also refine lower face contours. The decision depends on facial descent level; sometimes a facelift component is needed for jawline improvement. (Current Trends review)
Can the procedure refine a prior neck lift?
In many cases, yes. A deep vertical approach can solve residual bands, blunting, or recurrent laxity by addressing the structural layer more completely.
Will my neckline feel tight?
A temporary feeling of firmness is normal as tissues settle. Sensation softens week by week while the new support framework integrates.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Your Journey Starts Here
Elevated Care. Exceptional Results.
Dr. Richard Balikian is recognized for elevating facial plastic surgery through precision, artistry and outcomes that reflect your true self.
Discover the Art of Facial Plastic Surgery
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS