Why Men Are Choosing Neck Lifts
A neck lift procedure involves removing excess skin and fat from the neck while tightening the underlying muscles to create a smoother, more contoured appearance for a youthful look. Both men and women choose the procedure to eliminate the sagging skin commonly known as “turkey neck” and look younger. Men, however, often wish to boost their confidence to improve both business and social interactions. Most also crave a more masculine jawline.
While a neck lift procedure is essentially the same for men and women, differences between the two genders do make for a few small differences. You’ll want to choose an experienced surgeon who understands these subtle but crucial differences so you can get the best surgical results possible.
Key Differences in Male Neck Lift Aesthetics
While men and women both wish to look younger, they don’t necessarily want to look like each other after surgery. While neither gender wants it to be obvious that they’ve had work done, men are often fearful that they may be left with an overly soft, feminized appearance after surgery.
Men desire a strong, more defined jawline and chin after a neck lift with a sharper neck contour. They also want a surgeon who can perform their surgery in a way that doesn’t disrupt their beard line or create a facial bald spot. This involves strategic incision placement and skin removal. A skilled surgeon will also take care not to disrupt the beard line by pulling the skin on the neck too taut.
Unique Anatomical Considerations for Men
Men’s and women’s bodies aren’t the same, and this means that surgeons may have to do some things differently when performing neck lifts on men.
Thicker Skin and Heavier Muscles
Men have thicker skin than women and, as a result, hold more collagen. This excess collagen makes the skin more supple and allows it to hold tension better. Understanding this prevents your surgeon from pulling your skin as tightly as he would a woman’s, which can result in a tight and obviously overdone look.
It’s also vital that your surgeon tightens your neck muscles as necessary without smoothing them out too much. Men naturally have more pronounced neck muscles, and surgery should correct problems without altering or diminishing the muscle’s natural appearance.
Natural Fat Distribution in the Neck and Jawline
Men carry more subcutaneous fat around their necks, especially around the chin and jawline. In order to achieve the right contour during your neck lift, your surgeon may need to remove excess fat more aggressively than he would for a woman. It’s often necessary to perform a bit of chin lipo during the lift to get the desired results.
Prominent Adam’s Apple
Perhaps the most obvious difference between a man’s neck and a woman’s is the Adam’s apple. Your surgeon will need to tighten your neck muscles and skin carefully since overtightening can flatten out the Adam’s apple, thereby feminizing the neck. Although most people don’t focus on your Adam’s apple when they look at you, diminishing its appearance can make people notice that something is off, even if they can’t put their finger on what.
Ideal Candidates for a Male Neck Lift
While a neck lift is an option for most men, not everyone is a good candidate. Ideal candidates for a male neck lift are those who meet the following criteria:
- Are bothered by signs of aging in the neck area such as sagging skin, turkey neck, or muscle banding (horizontal lines)
- Enjoy good skin elasticity and muscle tone
- Don’t smoke or are willing to quit for surgery
- Are willing and able to maintain a stable weight
- Understand what surgery can and can’t accomplish
Incision Placement and Scarring Considerations
Scarring is always a concern when performing surgery on a highly visible area of the body. Fortunately, neck lift scars are extremely discreet. Your surgeon will make an incision behind each of your ears and beneath your chin. They will take care to place your chin incision as close to your natural chin crease as possible so that it’s all but invisible.
Recovery and Aftercare for Men’s Neck Lifts
Surgery can be a transformative experience, but recovering from it definitely interrupts the flow of your life for a time. This can be frustrating, but it’s important that you don’t rush the healing process. Remember that though it may feel long some days, recovery is temporary.
Typical Recovery Timeline for Male Patients
It sometimes takes men a bit longer to recover from a neck lift than it does women. Their thicker skin may hold more fluid, leading to an increase in swelling. At the same time, their stronger muscles are more resistant to surgical manipulation, leading to increased bruising. Everyone is slightly different, but most men follow a similar healing pattern:
- Day 1-3 (Immediate Post-Op): Discomfort and soreness are expected and managed with prescription pain medication. Resting is critical, but you should get up and walk a bit to improve circulation. Keep your head elevated and refrain from turning or bending the neck as much as possible. Wear compression garment 24/7.
- Day 4-7 (Early Recovery): Swelling will begin to go down and your discomfort will begin to noticeably ease. Stitches removed, if applicable. Resume light activities, but avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, or excessive neck movement.
- Week 2 (Initial Healing): Bruising will fade significantly, but you may still wish to wear a high-collared shirt if you wish to conceal your surgery. Wear compression garment only at night.
- Weeks 3-4 (Intermediate Recovery): Swelling is significantly reduced and not noticeable. Resume light exercise. Begin using scar treatments, if desired.
- Month 2-3 (Continued Healing): Although not final, results are starting to show and the neck looks improved. Resume normal exercise regimen and activities.
- Month 3-6 (Final Results): Final results take shape. Scars fade and soften, becoming barely noticeable.
Managing Swelling and Bruising
You should expect to experience swelling and bruising after surgery, but you can take steps to minimize both. All of the following will help:
- Wear your compression garment as directed
- Keep your head elevated
- Apply ice packs to the area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time for the first two days after surgery
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
- Eat foods with anti-inflammatory properties
- Perform lymphatic neck massage if allowed and shown proper technique by your surgeon
Returning to Work and Normal Activities
So long as your job isn’t physically demanding, you’ll likely return to work about two weeks after your surgery. You may still have some visible bruising when you do. You can hide this, if desired, with a high-collared shirt or concealer. If you’re not sure how to deal with concealer, there are tons of makeup tutorials online. You can also seek help from a woman whose makeup always looks nice.
You can resume light exercise three to four weeks after your procedure. More strenuous workouts and activities, however, will need to wait for about two to three months.
Long-Term Outcomes for Men’s Neck Lifts
The results of your neck lift can easily last 10 to 15 years or longer, but the aging process will continue and could impact your surgical results over time. While you can’t stop the clock, you can take steps to increase the longevity of your new neck contours. These steps include:
- Protecting your neck from the sun by using sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol consumption, both of which can age your neck skin faster
- Maintaining a stable weight to avoid creating excess fat in your neck
- Getting into a skincare routine that includes moisturizer, retinoids, and antioxidants
Recap
Men and women aren’t the same, and the differences between them impact the way a man’s neck lift is performed. Men desire different aesthetic results such as a masculine jawline and strong chin. They also have significant anatomical differences that impact surgery, including thicker skin and stronger neck muscles. A skilled plastic surgeon understands these differences and adapts to the specific needs of men.
Of course, just as men and women aren’t the same, neither are all men. It’s important to consult with a plastic surgeon about your unique concerns, anatomy, and desired surgical outcome. We would be pleased to offer you a free virtual consultation and provide you with answers specific to your situation.