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A neck lift is a surgical procedure that tightens loose skin and slack muscle in the neck and under the chin, smoothing sagging folds and vertical bands for a firmer, more defined profile. It is often chosen by people who feel their neck shows age more than their face, with a double chin, banding or loose skin that exercise and skincare cannot reach. Because the face and neck age together, a neck lift is frequently planned alongside a facelift for a balanced, natural-looking result.
Is this treatment right for you?
Suitable for: people with loose neck skin, visible vertical bands or a poorly defined jawline who are in good general health and have realistic expectations.
Less ideal if: your main concern is fullness under the chin with good skin tone, which may respond to less invasive options, or if health conditions or smoking make elective surgery inadvisable.
Suitability can only be confirmed by a qualified clinician after assessing you, which is why every plan begins with a free, personalised review rather than a fixed promise.
Benefits & risks
A balanced view matters more than a sales pitch. Weigh both sides and discuss them with a clinician before deciding.
Potential benefits
- Tightens loose, sagging skin on the neck and under the chin
- Softens the vertical bands caused by a slack platysma muscle
- Removes or repositions excess fat beneath the chin for a smoother profile
- Restores a more defined jawline and a sharper angle between chin and neck
- Incisions are typically hidden around the ears and in a crease under the chin
- Often combined with a facelift so the face and neck are treated as one unit
Risks & considerations
- Bleeding under the skin (haematoma), which occasionally needs further surgery
- Infection or delayed wound healing, particularly in smokers
- Visible or thickened scarring around the ears or under the chin
- Numbness or altered sensation in the neck, earlobes and under the chin, usually temporary but occasionally lasting
- Injury to the nerve that moves the lower lip, causing weakness that is usually temporary and rarely permanent
- Asymmetry, contour irregularities, anaesthetic risks and, in some cases, the need for revision surgery
Am I a candidate?
- Loose or sagging skin on your neck bothers you, sometimes described as a turkey neck
- You have visible vertical bands or a double chin that has not improved with a stable, healthy weight
- You are in good general health, a non-smoker or willing to stop before surgery
- Your weight is stable, as significant weight changes can affect the result
- You have realistic expectations about what a neck lift can and cannot change
Only a qualified clinician can confirm suitability after a personal assessment.
Process & recovery
A neck lift is performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and typically takes two to three hours, with a hospital stay of one night common. Incisions usually sit around and behind the ears, sometimes with a small one hidden under the chin; the neck muscle is tightened, excess fat is removed or repositioned and loose skin is redraped and trimmed. Bruising, swelling and tightness are expected for two to three weeks, and strenuous exercise is usually paused for several weeks. Risks include bleeding under the skin (haematoma), infection, scarring, numbness, asymmetry and, rarely, injury to the nerve that moves the lower lip; the treating surgeon discusses these with you before you decide.
What is a neck lift?
A neck lift, sometimes called a lower rhytidectomy or platysmaplasty, is an operation that addresses the visible signs of ageing in the neck and under the chin. With age, the skin of the neck loses elasticity, the thin sheet of muscle at the front of the neck (the platysma) can slacken and separate into two visible vertical bands, and fat may collect beneath the chin. Together these changes can create loose folds of skin, blur the line between the jaw and the neck and add heaviness to the profile, even in otherwise slim, healthy people.
It helps to be clear about what a neck lift does and does not treat. It tightens loose skin and muscle and can remove excess fat, but it does not change the surface quality of the skin itself: sun damage, crepey texture and fine lines may respond better to treatments such as laser skin resurfacing. Nor does it lift sagging cheeks or jowls higher up the face, which is the role of a facelift — one reason the two procedures are so often planned together.
How neck lift surgery works
On the day of surgery, a neck lift is typically performed under general anaesthetic or sedation and takes around two to three hours, depending on the steps involved and any combined procedures. Incisions usually begin around or behind the ears, sometimes with a short additional incision hidden in a natural crease under the chin. Through these, the surgeon tightens the platysma muscle, removes or repositions excess fat, redrapes the skin and trims what is no longer needed before closing with fine sutures. Small drains are sometimes placed for the first day, and a supportive chin strap or dressing is applied.
A neck lift is not one fixed operation but a combination of steps chosen for your anatomy:
| Component | What it involves | Typically suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Platysmaplasty | Tightening and re-joining the slack neck muscle, usually via a small incision under the chin | Visible vertical bands at the front of the neck |
| Cervicoplasty | Removing and redraping excess skin via incisions around and behind the ears | Loose, sagging neck skin and poor jawline definition |
| Neck liposuction | Removing fat under the chin through very small incisions | Fullness under the chin where the skin still has good tone |
The treating surgeon examines your neck, jawline and skin quality together and explains which combination they recommend, where the scars will sit and what each option can realistically achieve.
Recovery: what to expect
Recovery varies from person to person, but a general pattern looks like this:
| Timeframe | What to expect |
|---|---|
| First 48 hours | Swelling, bruising and a feeling of tightness; a supportive dressing or chin strap in place; rest with the head elevated |
| First 1–2 weeks | Bruising fades and sutures are checked or removed; many people feel ready for desk-based work towards the end of this period |
| Weeks 2–6 | Most visible swelling settles; light activity resumes; strenuous exercise usually still paused early on |
| 1–3 months and beyond | Residual swelling resolves, numbness typically improves and scars gradually fade and soften |
Numbness under the chin, in the earlobes and along the neck is common in the early months and usually improves, although in a small number of cases altered sensation can persist. Follow the treating surgeon’s advice on wound care, sleeping position and returning to exercise, and report any sudden one-sided swelling or pain promptly, as this can be a sign of bleeding under the skin that needs review.
Results and longevity
A well-planned neck lift aims for a naturally firmer neckline — a cleaner angle between chin and neck, softer bands and a better-defined jawline — rather than an over-tightened look. The results are long-lasting and many people enjoy them for years, but no operation stops the ageing process: skin quality, genetics, sun exposure, smoking and weight changes all influence how the neck continues to change. Scars are permanent, although they are hidden around the ears and under the chin and typically fade well. In some cases residual laxity, asymmetry or contour irregularities may lead to a discussion about revision surgery, which is why a thorough consultation and realistic expectations matter so much.
Having a neck lift in Türkiye
We are a facilitator, not a hospital: we coordinate your neck lift at accredited, Ministry of Health–authorised partner hospitals in Türkiye and connect you with the treating surgeon, who assesses your suitability and performs the operation. Your journey typically begins with a free online consultation and photo assessment, followed by a personalised, no-obligation treatment plan that sets out the recommended approach, the length of stay and what your all-inclusive package covers. Airport transfers, accommodation and interpreter support are arranged for you, so language is not a barrier at any point in your care.
After you return to the UK, follow-up continues remotely: the care team reviews your healing photos, answers questions and stays in touch throughout your recovery. You can see how each stage fits together on our patient journey page, or request a free, no-obligation personalised plan to find out whether a neck lift is right for you.
Before & after
Frequently asked questions
Can a neck lift be combined with a facelift? +
Yes — a neck lift and a facelift are often performed together, because the jawline and neck age as one unit and treating both tends to give a balanced, harmonious result. Combining them also means a single anaesthetic and one recovery period. The treating surgeon will advise whether a combined approach suits your anatomy and goals.
How long is recovery after a neck lift? +
Most bruising and swelling after a neck lift settles within two to three weeks, and many people feel comfortable returning to desk-based work after around one to two weeks. A feeling of tightness under the chin is common at first and eases gradually. Strenuous exercise is usually paused for four to six weeks, and subtle residual swelling can take a few months to resolve fully.
Will a neck lift leave visible scars? +
Every neck lift leaves permanent scars, but they are placed to be as inconspicuous as possible — usually around and behind the ears and sometimes in a natural crease under the chin. In most cases they fade considerably over several months. How well scars settle varies from person to person, and the treating surgeon will explain what to expect for your skin type.
How long does a neck lift last? +
The results of a neck lift are long-lasting, and many people enjoy them for years. The operation does not stop the natural ageing process, so the neck will continue to change gradually over time. A stable weight, sun protection and not smoking may help maintain the result.
Is a neck lift painful? +
A neck lift is performed under general anaesthetic or sedation, so you should not feel pain during the operation itself. Afterwards, most people describe tightness, tenderness and numbness rather than severe pain, and discomfort is typically managed with prescribed pain relief. It usually eases considerably within the first one to two weeks.
How long do I need to stay in Türkiye for a neck lift? +
Most patients stay in Türkiye for around seven to ten days for a neck lift, allowing time for the face-to-face consultation, the surgery, suture removal and an initial follow-up check before travelling. Your personalised treatment plan will confirm the exact stay recommended in your case.
When can I fly home after a neck lift? +
Many people are cleared to fly home around seven to ten days after a neck lift, once the treating surgeon is satisfied with early healing and any sutures have been checked or removed. Flying too soon may worsen swelling, so the timing is always confirmed individually as part of your personalised plan.
When will I see results after a neck lift? +
You will notice a smoother, firmer neckline as soon as the main swelling from a neck lift begins to settle, usually within two to three weeks. The final result typically emerges over three to six months as residual swelling resolves and the scars begin to fade and mature.