{"id":396,"date":"2025-09-29T17:27:25","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T17:27:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/?p=396"},"modified":"2025-09-29T17:31:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T17:31:00","slug":"facelift-vs-neck-lift-which-procedure-is-right-for-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/facelift-vs-neck-lift-which-procedure-is-right-for-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Facelift vs. Neck Lift: Which Procedure Is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your face and neck age together, but not always in the same way. For some, sagging cheeks, jowls, and deeper folds are the primary concern, making a <a href=\"\/face\/facelift\/\">facelift<\/a> the right choice. For others, banding, lax skin, or fullness under the chin may indicate a need for a <a href=\"\/face\/neck-lift\/\">neck lift<\/a>. Many patients benefit from a combination, and knowing which option is best can feel overwhelming.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ashlin Alexander is a board-certified, dual-fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon focusing exclusively on the face, neck, and hair. With elite training at New York University in Manhattan and the Sydney Head and Neck Cancer Institute, Dr. Alexander brings international expertise and a reputation for natural, timeless results to his Toronto practice. In this blog, we\u2019ll provide evidence-based insights backed by years of specialized training to help you understand the differences between a facelift and a neck lift. This way, you can proceed with clarity and confidence, guided by his signature philosophy: refinement over transformation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What Each Procedure Treats<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facelift (Rhytidectomy)<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targets the lower face: sagging cheeks, jowls, nasolabial folds, and jawline definition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Modern techniques elevate and support the SMAS (the deeper facial layer) for natural, lasting results<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Neck lift (Lower Rhytidectomy\/Platysmaplasty)<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Targets the neck and under-chin: vertical neck bands, loose\/crepey skin, and submental fat<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Often includes tightening the platysma muscle and selective fat removal for a crisp angle and smoother contour<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How the Surgeries Differ<\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Incisions<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"\/face\/facelift\/\">Facelift<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Discreet incisions are made around the ears and hairline. The surgeon repositions and secures the SMAS layer, then redrapes the skin without tension\u2014this is key to avoiding a \u201cpulled\u201d look.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b><a href=\"\/face\/neck-lift\/\">Neck lift<\/a>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> This procedure typically involves incisions behind the ears and a small one beneath the chin. It may also include platysmaplasty (repairing\/reshaping the neck muscle) and targeted liposuction for definition.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anesthesia &amp; Recovery<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Both procedures are commonly performed under general anesthesia or IV sedation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, depending on your plan and safety considerations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Swelling and bruising peak in the first week or so and then fade;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> most patients resume social activities over the following weeks (the timeline varies with the extent of the procedure and whether it\u2019s combined).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Results &amp; Longevity<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both facelifts and neck lifts can deliver results that last for many years. How long your outcome endures depends less on one \u201cbest\u201d technique and more on your health, habits, and the surgeon\u2019s skill. Protecting your skin from the sun and maintaining a healthy lifestyle will help your refreshed look age gracefully for years to come.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, Which Should You Choose?<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a <a href=\"\/face\/facelift\/\">facelift<\/a> for lower-face descent, jowls, and a soft jawline<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose a neck lift for bands, lax skin, and under-chin heaviness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Choose both when face and neck changes are linked\u2014you\u2019ll get the most seamless, harmonious rejuvenation<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re Here to Help You Decide<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While general guidelines can help you understand the difference between a facelift and a neck lift, the right choice ultimately depends on your anatomy, goals, and comfort level. That\u2019s where expert evaluation matters.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dr. Ashlin Alexander is a board-certified, dual-fellowship trained facial plastic surgeon who devotes his practice exclusively to the face, neck, and hair. In consultation, he carefully studies the details that make you unique\u2014skin quality, muscle tone, fat distribution, bone structure\u2014then crafts a plan that may include a facelift, a <a href=\"\/face\/neck-lift\/\">neck lift<\/a>, or a thoughtful combination. The goal is refined, natural results that look like you, just refreshed.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"\/contact\/\">Contact us<\/a> today to book your consultation and learn more.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your face and neck age together, but not always in the same way. For some, sagging cheeks, jowls, and deeper folds are the primary concern, making a facelift the right choice. For others, banding, lax skin, or fullness under the chin may indicate a need for a neck lift. Many patients benefit from a combination, &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/facelift-vs-neck-lift-which-procedure-is-right-for-you\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Facelift vs. Neck Lift: Which Procedure Is Right for You?<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-396","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=396"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":398,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/396\/revisions\/398"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=396"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=396"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ashlinalexander.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=396"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}