Neck And Chin Contouring

There’s no getting around the fact that your face is the first thing people notice about you. Unfortunately, it’s also one of the first parts of your body to show signs of aging! The delicate skin of your face is particularly affected by environmental factors like sun damage, smoking, and weight change, which play a role in wrinkles, lines, and sagging skin developing. Here at Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis, we often hear from patients who are concerned about noticeable aging in their face and neck areas. Many want a more youthful appearance but without a drastic change. Fortunately, our neck and chin contouring procedures can do just that!

Neck lifts and chin implant surgery can be performed separately or as a combined procedure to address the obvious signs of again and improve a patient’s facial balance. A neck lift, or platysmaplasty, is a cosmetic plastic surgery procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the neck to address wrinkling and creasing in this area. This provides patients with a smoother, slimmer, and more youthful profile. We can further create facial harmony with a chin augmentation procedure, which reshapes or enhances the size of the chin. Chin implant surgery is frequently combined with a neck lift or face lift to improve the overall contour of the neck.  

Let’s take a look at what each procedure entails, and how our talented team of surgeons can use them to turn back the hands of time!

Neck contouring 

Patients who have a “heavy” neck, ill-defined jawline, or loose and sagging skin beneath the chin may benefit from neck contouring. There are a few different options when it comes to these procedures. 

Laser-assisted neck contouring—uses a specialized laser to break up the fatty tissue and a liposuction cannula to remove it. 

Submentoplasty—involves the surgical removal of excess skin under the chin. With this method, we may also tighten the platysma muscle, which is a thin muscle protecting the deeper structure within the neck.

Neck lift—a neck lift may incorporate laser-assisted neck contouring and tightening of the platysma muscle along with surgical repositioning of the loose neck skin.

Direct excision—this is a smaller procedure that some men choose to directly remove loose skin and excess fat in the area under the chin and in front of the neck. This method also tightens the platysma muscle. The scar will usually blend in well with even short beard hairs.  

The incisions for a neck lift are typically hidden in the hairline behind the ears and under the chin. The procedure is usually available on an outpatient basis under local or general anesthetic, with patients home and resting the same day. Recovery time is brief. Some swelling and bruising may appear initially, but this is only temporary and should resolve relatively quickly. Many patients are back to their normal routine within 5-7 days.  

What are the benefits of neck contouring?

There are numerous benefits associated with neck contouring procedures. Because the skin of our face and neck are influenced by both environmental and hereditary factors, some change is hard to accomplish with diet and exercise alone. A neck lift is able to zero in on these issues and can give patients a beautifully sculpted neck and jawline. 

A neck lift works by lifting sagging muscles and skin and putting them back into place. This can reduce the appearance of loose skin and give the appearance of weight loss, particularly when combined with other procedures, like liposuction or Botox. Neck contouring can be an excellent option for individuals who aren’t ready for a full face lift, but still desire a more youthful appearance. 

Chin augmentation surgery with implants

Chin augmentation surgery, sometimes referred to as chin enhancement or genioplasty, helps sharpen the facial features and create more defined contours around the neck and jowls. Like a neck lift, it can be performed on its own or combined with other procedures such as rhinoplasty, a face lift, or neck contouring

Our practice uses chin implants to accomplish the desired results. These are biocompatible devices that have been designed to simulate the shape and size of a well-proportioned chin. These come in a variety of materials, although most implants are made of silicone for a natural feel and look. They also come in a range of different sizes and can be further trimmed to customize their appearance. 

During the procedure, the implant is placed on top of the lower jaw bone underneath the skin and soft tissue. This ensures its stability. There will be some swelling of the chin and lower lip after the procedure. This can take 1-2 weeks to fully resolve. The final results will be apparent about 3 months post-surgery, and are typically long-lasting.  

Neck And Chin Contouring

What are the benefits of chin augmentation surgery?

A small, recessed, or “weak”chin can create a sense of facial imbalance. It can even make your nose appear larger! Chin implants can be ideal for anyone who would like to:

  • balance the proportions between their chin size and other facial features
  • augment a weak or recessed chin to strengthen the facial profile
  • sharpen the neck or jawline for a more defined look
  • minimize the full or “double” chin effect that is often caused by a small chin

Chin augmentation comes with a number of benefits. Implants can strengthen a weak and undeveloped chin, producing a more attractive jawline. This procedure can also minimize the appearance of jowls or a double chin, and bring balance to the facial features overall by increasing the height or width of the chin. 

Restore a youthful appearance with neck and chin contouring by Plastic Surgery Group of Memphis

Neck and chin contouring procedures can be highly effective for the right patient, but not everyone will be a good candidate. During your consultation in our Memphis office, your doctor will discuss your concerns, listen to the aesthetic goals you have for yourself, and evaluate your current health to determine if these procedures could be right for you.  

If you’re looking to restore a radiant look without a full face lift, neck and chin contouring could give you the results you desire! To learn more about how these procedures can transform your appearance, get in touch today to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons.