What is the best age for a neck lift?
Yes, a great question indeed! Getting a neck lift is a significant decision and one that shouldn’t be made lightly. As to what age you should be before seeking a neck lift depends entirely on your skin concerns and condition, and your own personal desires. As genetics, age and the environment impact each of us very differently, even patients of the same age may display prominent signs of aging at different points in their life, making it difficult or impossible to assign a blanket number as the ideal age for a neck lift for all people collectively.
But we can provide some valuable information that will help you make the right decision.
Broadly speaking, most people start developing and displaying considerable signs of aging, such as skin laxity and heavy wrinkles, by their early- to mid-40s. So if you’ve started noticing sagging skin or the dreaded “turkey neck,” you’re likely at an ideal age to consider a neck lift. However, you can also get a neck lift earlier or later. Some people get a neck lift in their 30s to stave off the early signs of aging, retaining their youthful appearance as long as possible. Others get a neck lift in their 60s and 70s, as long as they’re in good general health.
It’s also worth considering that the duration of the neck lift also changes as you grow older. By “duration,” we refer to the amount of time it takes for your skin to return to its pre-surgery condition. A neck lift reverses the signs of aging, taking a few years off your face, but it doesn’t stop the aging process altogether. Generally speaking, people who seek a neck lift in their 40s may maintain the results for up to 10 years. However, people who seek a neck lift in their 60s or 70s may maintain the results for around 6 to 7 years.
A neck lift in your 30s
It’s relatively rare for patients to get a neck lift in their 30s because the skin is still relatively strong and taut at that age. Patients in their 30s often opt for nonsurgical lifts in the form of dermal fillers or injectables that stimulate collagen production. If you’re aging at a fast pace, you can get a minimally-invasive surgical procedure like cervicoplasty. A cervicoplasty trims excess skin tissues from your neck to tighten and contour your neck.
A neck lift in your 40s
Opting for a neck lift in your 40s allows you to turn back the clock by up to 10 years, making it seem like you’re in your 30s. However, people in their 40s usually experience early signs of hanging skin tissues, neck banding, and moderate to severe skin laxity. You can opt for a SMAS neck lift to treat skin laxity and tighten your underlying muscles to produce a contoured and streamline appearance.
A neck lift beyond your 50s
People in their 50s and beyond experience severe skin laxity, neck banding, deep creases, and a “turkey wattle,” i.e., loose folds of skin hanging from the neck. At this age, you need an advanced neck lift procedure that removes excess fat tissues, trims excess skin tissues, and tightens your underlying muscles. Getting a neck lift in your 50s reverses the signs of aging by 6 to 7 years.
Broadly speaking, that covers the important distinctions to be made when considering a neck lift — and we’d always be pleased to give you a complimentary personal consultation. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.