Neck Lift in Farmington Hills

What a neck lift addresses

A neck lift targets signs of aging in the neck and jawline, aiming for a more defined profile. It can address:

• sagging skin along the jawline (jowls)
• excess fat beneath the chin
• loose, crepey skin on the neck
• visible muscle bands, sometimes called “turkey neck”
• loss of definition between the neck and jawline

Am I a good candidate?

Candidates are generally in good overall health, do not smoke, and have realistic expectations. A neck lift may suit you if you have excess skin and fat in the neck, visible muscle banding or a poorly defined jawline. For mild to moderate skin laxity, a less invasive option such as Profound by Candela, which combines radiofrequency energy with microneedling, may be recommended instead.

Candidacy is decided at consultation, where Dr. Hardaway evaluates your skin, muscles and fat distribution and reviews your medical history and current medications.

How the procedure is performed

A neck lift is performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia and typically takes two to three hours, depending on complexity and on whether other procedures are performed at the same time. Incisions typically begin in the hairline at the level of the sideburn, continue around the ear and end in the hair behind it. A small incision under the chin is sometimes needed to reach the neck muscles and remove fat. Through these incisions, the main steps are:

• Tissue repositioning — underlying tissues are repositioned to restore contour.
• Muscle tightening — the platysma muscle is tightened to reduce banding.
• Fat removal or redistribution — excess fat is removed or repositioned for better definition.
• Skin redraping — excess skin is removed and the remaining skin is redraped over the new contours.
• Closure — incisions are closed with sutures designed to minimize visible scarring.

A light compression bandage is applied afterwards to minimize swelling and support the new contours. Surgery takes place in a QUAD A accredited surgical suite.

Preparing for surgery

In the weeks before your neck lift you will need to:

• stop smoking and avoid nicotine products
• avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements
• arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery
• prepare your recovery space with the supplies you need

Recovery

You wear a supportive neck garment for about a week. Mild to moderate swelling and bruising are normal and typically resolve within two to three weeks. Discomfort is usually managed with prescribed medication for the first few days, then over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.

Most patients return to work and light activities within 10 to 14 days. Full recovery, including the resolution of all swelling, can take three to six months. Regular follow-up appointments let Dr. Hardaway monitor your healing.

Procedures often combined with a neck lift

• Facelift, for the upper and mid-face
• Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
• Chin augmentation
• Fat grafting to restore facial volume
• Dermal fillers
• Laser skin resurfacing

Choosing a surgeon

Dr. Michelle Hardaway is a board-certified plastic surgeon and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. She is a former Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Detroit Receiving Hospital and an Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at Wayne State University, where she also completed a burn fellowship. Her hospital affiliations in Metro Detroit include Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, Henry Ford Providence Southfield Hospital, the Detroit Medical Center Hospitals, and Henry Ford St. John Hospital.