Recent advances in plastic surgery mean that the problem areas in the lower third of the face, especially the neck, jawline and 'jowls', can now be helped with new procedures which provide natural looking and lasting results. This is the first time plastic surgery has been able to provide really good results in this significant area of ageing. The articles below address some of the most common problems associated with the neck, jawline and jowl area.

Neck, jawline and jowl lift

Liposuction for 'ugly' necks

Before	After

The appearance of 'jowls' is undoubtedly one of the most dreaded aspects of facial ageing. Many patients recall seeing this laxity along the jawline on their mother or grandmother and are dismayed when the same changes start to appear on them.

To see this area, and understand how it can be improved, stand in front of the mirror, place your hands along the side of your neck just under your ears, and pull up and out gently. The firmed up effect along and under the jaw is what patients frequently ask for. The latest technique, described below, now offers this benefit but with a totally natural appearance, unlike the slightly stretched look your hands produce.

For many years this part of the face was a challenge to plastic surgery and poor quality surgery is still being performed in this area. Many surgeons continue to rely upon pulling the skin and underlying support layer (SMAS) of the neck to 'tighten up' the area, invariably producing a short term result, a stretched appearance and, frequently, visible scaring around the ear when the skin stretches over time.

Other, more advanced techniques, which avoid skin tension and scarring, have risks associated with potential nerve damage.

Fortunately, recent developments in our understanding of facial anatomy in the lower third of the face have led to a new technique which not only offers a natural and lasting result, but also slows the future appearance of ageing. It also smoothes those unwanted creases which run downwards from the edge of the lips, creating a 'bulging' effect at each side of the mouth where the jowls start to become visible.

The procedure is minimally invasive to the face, so very little post-operative bruising and swelling occurs and is almost entirely restricted to the area below the ear. For most patients it takes only one week (two at the most) for the signs of surgery to become imperceptible.

Safety concerns regarding the facial nerves in the area have been completely overcome with the procedure, as the area containing those nerves does not need to be touched at all.

The procedure can be performed on people of any age as ageing along the jawline can often occur quite early, especially if it 'runs in the family'. Addressing the problem early has many advantages as it 'solves' the problem in its early stages, before deterioration has become noticeable to others, and means it is no longer a future issue needing to be addressed.

People with advanced ageing and skin laxity under the chin (frequently referred to as a turkey neck) can be further helped with an additional procedure which removes excess fat and brings the neck muscles together to create a 'support curtain' under the chin.

The anatomical understanding which has allowed the development of the lift for the jawline, jowls and neck is so new it is only just being published in plastic surgery literature. It represents a major advance for patients and, finally, a natural, lasting solution for the 'dreaded jowls'.

For some people, the main problem is simply the shape of the neck itself, which is not always related to ageing. Commonly, the neck appears either as overly full or simply poorly defined (stretching in a straight line from chin to chest). Younger people with this problem can be greatly helped by local liposuction. This is one of the areas where liposuction is really useful, providing an effective solution without major surgery or inconvenience. In most instances liposuction to the neck can be performed under a local anaesthetic and the results are virtually immediate.

If the problem is caused by an underdeveloped jaw, this can be overcome by the use of a small implant in the area, which provides a permanent improvement to the jawline and produces a more natural concavity of the neck. For more information on implants click here.

For more information on the latest jawline, jowl and neck lift, or liposuction for unattractive necks, please contact the surgery and speak to Gilda, our Patient Advisor, or to Dr. Mendelson.