Neck-vember: Your Guide to a Smoother, More Defined Neck

We spend so much time focusing on facial aging that it's easy to overlook one area that can reveal just as much about our age: the neck.

You might notice it in photos first. A jawline that doesn't look quite as defined as it once did. Loose skin beneath the chin. Vertical bands that become more noticeable over time. Or fullness under the jaw that seems to stick around regardless of your weight.

While these concerns can appear together, they don't necessarily have the same cause - or require the same solution.

That's why we're celebrating Neck-vember at Mays Plastic Surgery!

Throughout November, we're shining a spotlight on neck rejuvenation, the different factors that influence the appearance of your neck, and the surgical options available with Dr. Chet Mays and Dr. Jeffrey Gross.

And because understanding your options is the first step, Dr. Gross is offering $50 off surgical consultations!

Why Does the Neck Show Signs of Aging?

The neck is one of those areas we don't always think about until something starts to change.

As we age, several factors can affect the appearance of the neck and jawline: 

• Skin laxity: Gradual changes in collagen and elastin can contribute to loose or sagging skin. 
• Muscle changes: The platysma muscle can become more prominent or contribute to visible vertical neck bands. 
• Submental fat: Fat beneath the chin can create fullness and soften the transition between the jawline and neck 
• Underlying anatomy: The position and prominence of deeper structures, including the submandibular glands, can influence neck contour. 
• Genetics: Some patients naturally have less jawline definition or more fullness beneath the chin even at a younger age.

The important thing to understand is that what looks like a double chin or sagging neck isn't always just excess fat or loose skin.

Sometimes the issue lies deeper.

What Is a Traditional Neck Lift?

For patients experiencing more noticeable signs of aging through the neck and jawline, a traditional neck lift may be an appropriate option.

Dr. Chet Mays performs neck lift surgery to address concerns such as loose skin, excessive tissue, and changes in the underlying neck muscles.

Depending on the patient's anatomy and surgical plan, a neck lift may involve removing or repositioning excess tissue, tightening underlying structures, and improving the transition between the chin, jawline, and neck.

The goal is to create a smoother, more defined neck contour that complements the patient's natural facial features.

A neck lift may be particularly beneficial for patients concerned about: 

• Loose or hanging neck skin 
• Visible neck bands 
• Loss of definition along the jawline 
• A heavier or sagging appearance through the lower face and neck

For some patients, neck rejuvenation may also be discussed alongside facial surgery when aging affects multiple areas.

What Is a Submentoplasty?

Not everyone concerned about their neck has significant loose skin.

Some patients may be more bothered by fullness beneath the chin, a poorly defined neck angle, or changes in the deeper structures that affect their profile.

That's where submentoplasty, a procedure offered by Dr. Jeffrey Gross, may enter the conversation.

Submentoplasty focuses on reshaping and refining the area beneath the chin and upper neck.

Depending on the patient's anatomy, the procedure may involve addressing excess fat and the underlying platysma muscle to improve neck contour and create a more defined transition between the chin and neck.

For appropriately selected patients, this targeted approach may improve neck definition without requiring the same extent of skin repositioning as a more comprehensive neck lift.

However, submentoplasty isn't necessarily the best choice for patients with substantial excess skin.

What About Submandibular Gland Removal?

Here's something many patients don't realize:

Not all fullness beneath the jaw comes from fat.

The submandibular glands are salivary glands located beneath the jaw. In some patients, their size or position can contribute to visible fullness in the upper neck.

This means a patient could have relatively little excess fat but still notice a bulge or lack of definition beneath the jawline.

For certain carefully selected patients, Dr. Gross may discuss submandibular gland removal as an additional component of submentoplasty when gland prominence contributes to the contour concern.

This is not a routine step for every patient.

Because the glands serve an important function and surgery in this area involves delicate anatomy, gland removal requires a thorough evaluation and discussion of its specific risks and benefits.

The key takeaway?

Sometimes improving neck contour requires looking beyond the skin and fat to understand the deeper anatomy.

Submentoplasty vs. Neck Lift: What's the Difference?

Although both procedures can improve the appearance of the neck, they aren't interchangeable.

Primary Focus: 

• Submentoplasty: Contour beneath the chin and upper neck 
• Traditional Neck Lift: More extensive neck and jawline rejuvenation

Common Concerns: 

• Submentoplasty: Submental fullness, muscle contour, deeper anatomy 
• Traditional Neck Lift: Loose Skin, neck bands, sagging tissue

Approach: 

• Submentoplasty: More targeted, depending on anatomy 
• Traditional Neck Lift: Broader correction of skin and underlying structures

At MPS: 

• Submentoplasty: Dr. Jeffrey Gross 
• Traditional Neck Lift: Dr. Chet Mays

Neither procedure is automatically better.

A patient with minimal skin laxity and deeper fullness may have very different surgical needs than someone experiencing significant sagging and excess neck skin.

That's why the most important part of choosing a procedure is identifying what's actually creating the appearance that bothers you.

Am I Too Young for Neck Rejuvenation?

Not necessarily.

Although neck lifts are often associated with older patients, concerns about neck definition aren't exclusive to a particular age group.

Some younger patients naturally have fullness beneath the chin or a less defined neck angle due to genetics and anatomy.

Others begin noticing skin laxity or changes in their neck contour earlier than expected.

The right procedure depends on your anatomy, concerns, overall health, and goals - not simply your age.

And for patients who aren't candidates for surgery, other approaches may be worth discussing.

Why a Consultation Matters

If you've ever looked at your neck and thought, "I just want a more defined jawline," you may habe assumed the answer was liposuction.

Or perhaps you've been researching neck lifts without knowing whether you actually need one.

But because the neck contains several layers of skin, fat, muscle, and deeper anatomical structures, the right treatment isn't always obvious from the outside.

During a surgical consultation at Mays Plastic Surgery, your surgeon can evaluate your anatomy, discuss the changes you've noticed, and explain which surgical approach - if any - may help you achieve your goals.

You don't have to know whether you need a neck lift, submentoplasty, or another procedure before scheduling.

That's what we're here to help you figure out.

Celebrate Neck-vember at Mays Plastic Surgery

This November, we're putting neck rejuvenation in the spotlight.

Whether you're bothered by loose skin, fullness beneath the chin, visible neck bands, or simply a jawline that doesn't look as defined as it once did, understanding the cause is the first step toward exploring your options.

At Mays Plastic Surgery, Dr. Chet Mays offers traditional neck lift surgery, while Dr. Jeffrey Gross offers submentoplasty, including the option of addressing prominent submandibular glands for appropriate candidates.

And in celebration of Neck-vember, Dr. Gross is offering $50 off surgical consultations!

If you've been curious about improving your neck or jawline, this is a great opportunity to learn more.

Schedule your surgical consultation  and discover what a more defined neck contour could look like for you.