Restoring a defined jawline and smooth neck — addressing the laxity, banding, and loose skin that make the neck age visibly before the face does.
Neck Lift at Natural Results Plastic Surgery is performed personally by Dr. Carlos Mata — board-certified plastic surgeon (ABPS/FACS), Castle Connolly Top Doctor since 2018, and Newsweek America's Best Plastic Surgeon — at the practice's AAAASF-accredited surgical suite in Scottsdale, Arizona. 25,000+ procedures performed.
The neck is often the first place patients notice aging — loose skin, vertical bands, or a loss of jawline definition. A neck lift addresses all three, either as a standalone procedure or combined with a facelift for comprehensive lower facial rejuvenation.
A complete neck lift addresses three distinct issues: excess skin (cervicoplasty), separated platysma muscle bands (platysmaplasty), and often fat beneath the chin (submental liposuction). Treating only one of these produces a partial result.
Dr. Mata's technique tightens the platysma muscle in the midline, removes excess skin through incisions behind the ears, and contours submental fat as needed. The result is a defined, youthful neck and jawline.
Younger patients (typically 40s–early 50s) with isolated neck aging can sometimes achieve a significant result with a neck lift alone. The incisions behind the ears leave minimal visible scarring.
For patients whose aging includes the midface, jawline, and jowls, a combined facelift-neck lift is the right procedure. Doing them together is more efficient, produces more harmonious results, and requires only one recovery period.
For early neck aging, non-surgical options can produce meaningful improvement. Morpheus8 (microneedling with RF energy) tightens skin. Submental injectables (Kybella) reduce under-chin fat. Botox can soften platysma bands temporarily.
Surgery becomes the right answer when these reach their limits — typically with significant skin laxity, prominent muscle bands, or volume that doesn't respond to injectables.
Candidacy is ultimately a conversation. Dr. Mata will determine the right path at consultation.
Schedule ConsultationEvery patient heals at their own pace. These milestones offer a realistic roadmap based on hundreds of procedures performed by Dr. Mata.
Compression garment around neck. Head elevated while sleeping. Swelling and bruising peak day 3–5. Drains may be placed briefly. Pain manageable with medication.
Most bruising resolved or easily concealed. Drains removed if placed. Return to office work typical end of week 2. Scarves and collars help.
Residual swelling decreasing. Most social activities comfortable. Mild numbness along incisions is normal.
Full exercise with clearance. Final contour visible. Scars pink but well-healed.
Final result fully settled. Scars progressively fade to invisible.
A small selection of neck lift cases. Every patient is unique — these are illustrative outcomes, not guarantees.
Every procedure at Natural Results is quoted privately after a thorough consultation with Dr. Mata. We believe pricing should reflect your anatomy, your goals, and the specific technique required — not a template.
Neck lift pricing reflects whether it's performed alone or combined with facelift. Standalone neck lifts start at $20,735; a combined facelift-neck lift starts at $25,635 (see facelift page). Every quote includes surgeon fee, facility, anesthesia, and all post-operative visits.
Not necessarily. If your aging is concentrated in the neck — loose skin, bands, poor definition — a neck lift alone can produce excellent results. If your jowls and midface also show aging, combining procedures makes sense. Dr. Mata will assess this directly at consultation.
Typically 10 years or more. The neck continues to age after surgery, but at a much slower pace. Maintaining stable weight and avoiding sun exposure on the neck significantly extends the longevity of the result.
Scars run behind the ears and sometimes under the chin in a natural crease. Once healed (usually 3–6 months), they're very difficult to see. The behind-the-ear scars are hidden unless hair is pulled straight back.
For early signs, yes — Botox softens platysma bands and fillers can improve jawline definition. For established neck laxity or prominent muscle banding, non-surgical approaches will disappoint. Surgery is the right tool when anatomic structure has changed.
Consultations with Dr. Mata are private, unhurried, and typically last 45 to 60 minutes. Your first conversation sets the foundation for everything that follows.
