Many people start looking into facial surgery because of their jawline, and then find they cannot tell which operation would help. Here is the short answer. A facelift mainly lifts the lower face, especially the jowls, while a neck lift works on loose neck skin and excess fat below the jawline. The two are often done together, and the right plan comes from an in-person assessment with a surgeon.
What a facelift treats
A facelift lifts and pulls back the facial skin. The NHS page on facelifts says it mainly targets loose skin on the lower face, especially the jowls, and the neck. Facial fat may also be moved or added during the operation.
BAPRAS, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, describes facelift surgery as lifting and repositioning the skin and facial tissues. It covers the lower half of the face, from the eyes and ears downwards. The upper face is a different area. A brow lift is the separate operation for the forehead and brows.
There are several facelift techniques, and our facelift centre lists the types offered at the practice, including the mini facelift, SMAS facelift, deep plane facelift and full facelift. Which one suits you depends on your face and your aesthetic goals. Your surgeon will explain the options at your consultation.
What a neck lift treats
A neck lift focuses on the neck and the lower jawline. BAAPS, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, says a necklift tightens and lifts the skin of the neck. The neck muscle and the skin over it can be tightened with stitches, and excess skin is removed.
Our neck lift surgery page explains that the operation can address excess fat as well as loose skin, and that the platysma muscle in the neck can separate with age and form vertical bands. Tightening it, often through a small incision beneath the chin, is one part of neck surgery. BAAPS patient information names ageing, sun damage and significant weight loss as causes of lost skin elasticity, and says the skin and underlying muscle of the neck lose tone with age.
Facelift vs neck lift at a glance
The figures below come from published NHS and BAAPS information. BAAPS gives joint guidance for facelifts and necklifts, so its figures are not specific to a neck lift alone. They are general guides, and your own surgeon will give you timings for your operation.
| Facelift | Neck lift | |
| Main area | Lower face, especially the jowls, and the neck | Neck and jawline |
| What it addresses | Loose skin on the lower face | Loose neck skin, excess fat and neck bands |
| Anaesthetic | Usually general anaesthesia, sometimes local anaesthesia with sedation (NHS) | Usually general anaesthesia, sometimes local anaesthesia with sedation (BAAPS) |
| Hospital stay | Usually one night (NHS) | Usually one night, sometimes home the same day (BAAPS) |
| Time off work | About 2 to 4 weeks (NHS) | Often a couple of weeks (BAAPS) |
| Bruising and swelling | Bruising for at least 2 weeks; full effect can take 6 to 9 months (NHS) | Can take weeks to settle; final result can be judged after about 6 to 9 months (BAAPS) |
Can you have a facelift and a neck lift together?
Yes, the two are often combined. BAAPS describes a combined facelift and necklift as one way the surgery is done, and its patient information says a face and neck lift can also be combined with other treatments, such as eyelid surgery or a brow lift. The NHS page also gives cost guidance for a “face and neck lift” as one procedure. Whether you need one, the other or both depends on how your face and neck have changed.
Ask your surgeon how the recovery period changes if you have both operations at once. The surgical team should also explain how long the combined operation takes and what to expect in the first week. Write the answers down.
Who is an ideal candidate for a facelift compared to a neck lift?
Only a surgeon who examines you can say which operation suits you. Our facelift centre page gives one general rule. When the main concern is the neck and jawline rather than the mid-face, it says a neck lift on its own may be a better option than a full facelift.
You can prepare by noting your areas of concern before your consultation. Look in a mirror and take side-on photos. Write down whether your primary concern is the jowls and lower cheeks, or the skin and fullness under your chin, sometimes called a double chin.
What are the typical results of a facelift versus a neck lift?
Results differ from person to person, so treat any figures as a rough guide. The NHS says the full effect of a facelift can take 6 to 9 months to show. BAPRAS says a facelift can give a marked change, but it warns that no facelift will make anyone look 18 again.
Our neck lift page describes the aim of a neck lift as better definition and a more balanced neck contour. Neither operation stops the face and neck from ageing. When you weigh up the results, ask to see before-and-after photos of the surgeon’s own patients.
How long do the results of facelift and neck lift surgeries typically last?
There is no fixed answer, because the face and neck keep ageing after any surgical procedure. Our neck lift page says longevity depends on factors such as skin quality, ageing and lifestyle. We cover the facelift side in our guide to how long a facelift lasts.
Is there a big difference in cost between a facelift and a neck lift?
Prices vary between clinics and with how much surgery is needed. The NHS says consultation and follow-up appointments may cost extra, so check what each quote includes.
Our neck lift page explains that a personalised quotation is given after your consultation. When you compare quotes from different clinics, compare the full package, including aftercare, and not only the headline price. Ask for every quote in writing.
Risks to know about
Both are plastic surgery, so both carry a risk of complications. The NHS lists the small general risks of any operation as heavy bleeding, a blood clot in a vein, infection and an allergic reaction to the anaesthetic. For a facelift, the NHS also lists these possible problems:
- nerve injury, causing loss of feeling or movement in the facial muscles
- features that look uneven, including the position of the earlobes
- hair loss, or thinner hair growth around the scars
- thick or obvious scars
- problems with healing
- a result you are not happy with, which may lead to another operation
For a neck lift, BAAPS says the signs of an infection are pain, redness, swelling and pus in the wound, and that you may also have a temperature. If you have any worries after your operation, it advises speaking to a doctor or going to A&E. Your surgeon should talk you through the full list of risks before you agree to go ahead. Keep the clinic’s number to hand.
Questions to ask your surgeon
The NHS suggests asking how many of these operations the surgeon has done and what follow-up you can expect if something goes wrong. Use these to compare your options:
- Is a facelift, a neck lift or both the best fit for my concern, and why?
- How many of these operations have you performed?
- How long should I plan to take off work?
- What follow-up appointments are included?
- What happens if I am not happy with the result?
Check the surgeon on the General Medical Council register. In England, the NHS says every independent clinic or hospital that offers cosmetic procedures must be registered with the Care Quality Commission, which publishes inspection reports.
Planning your recovery
Once you have made your decision, our guide on what to expect during facelift recovery covers the weeks after surgery. Dr Nizar Hamadeh sees patients for facial plastic surgery at 10 Harley Street, London, and a consultation is the place to settle which operation fits your goals for facial rejuvenation.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. All surgery carries risks and results vary, so please consult your GP or a GMC-registered surgeon before making any treatment decision.