Worried about scarring after a neck lift?
I’m Dr. Dominic Castellano from Elite Facial Plastic Surgery, and I’m going to explain the incisions involved in a neck lift and prevention of scarring.
Be sure to read the whole article, because toward the end I’ll include some guidelines that will help you prevent scarring or hyperpigmentation from your incisions as you’re healing.
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Where Is the Neck Lift Incision Placed?
With a neck lift, that incision is fairly small. It’s normally going to be about 1.5 inches, and it tucks up underneath the chin.
Everybody has a natural crease between the chin and the neck.
When you tilt your head down and up, there’s a natural line that we all have. That’s typically the area where I like to place the incision.
Let’s face it—it’s already there.
Why Do We Place The Incision Here?
The benefit of placing the incision in that natural crease is:
- Once it heals up, it should barely be perceptible.
- There shouldn’t be much tension on that incision line.
- Ultimately, it will not be visible once you’re healed.
How Long Does It Take a Neck Lift Scar to Heal?
The key is understanding what “healed” really means.
Any incision you make on the body, especially in the head and neck area, takes about 6 months to fully mature.
During that time:
- The incision may appear pink.
- It may feel firm.
- It continues remodeling beneath the surface as scar tissue forms and matures.
How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation and Visible Scarring
Here in Florida, where I am, I often recommend patients:
- Make sure you’re wearing sunscreen when you’re outdoors.
- Wear a hat if you’re going to be outside for an extended period.
This really helps prevent getting what’s called hyperpigmentation, or a darkening of the incision.
Preventing Hypertrophic or Keloid Scars
The risk of getting problems such as hypertrophic scarring or keloid formation is very unlikely in that area.
But ultimately, when it does heal after 6 months, it’s a barely perceptible incision.
Factors That Affect Neck Lift Scar Healing
There are several factors that can affect the appearance of how the incision ultimately heals and help prevent a visible scar:
Incision Placement
As I said earlier:
- There’s a natural crease between the chin and neck.
- It’s really important to take advantage of that.
- It helps camouflage the scar when it heals.
Following Your Surgeon’s Instructions
Another key factor is:
- Following your surgeon’s recommendations.
- Not doing too much after the procedure.
- Giving your body time to heal.
The sutures are there to:
- Help approximate the skin.
- Give your body time to make scar tissue.
- Prevent the incision from opening.
It’s also important:
- Not to leave sutures in for an extended period of time.
- To protect the incision from prolonged sun exposure.
- To wear sunscreen and a hat if you’ll be outdoors.
Optional Scar Care Products
Other adjunctive things you can do, if you’d like, include:
- Vitamin E oil
- Mederma
- Silicone gel or silicone sheets
Neck Lift Recovery Timeline: What to Expect
This brings me to the timeline of recovery after your neck lift procedure.
Immediately After Surgery
Post-op, what can you expect?
- The first day, you’ll be wrapped up with what I call a “Q-tip” dressing.
- You’ll normally take that outer wrapping off shortly after the procedure.
- You’ll leave the elastic garment on (the Velcro wrap that goes on top and behind the head).
From the point of surgery to your one-week follow-up, that garment will stay on.
Most people are going to feel:
- Numbness
- Tightness
And that’s totally normal.
1-Week Follow-Up
At your one-week appointment:
- We’ll remove the sutures.
- We’ll inspect the incision line.
- We’ll make sure things are healing up well.
Weeks 1–2: The Contraction Phase
From one week to two weeks:
- You’ll start to notice a contraction phase in the neck skin.
- The skin and deeper tissues begin tightening.
- It may feel a little lumpy and bumpy.
Usually at the two-week mark, when I see you back:
- I start discussing massaging the neck area.
- This helps the firmness and unevenness settle out.
Weeks 2–6: Continued Settling
From the two-week period to about 4 to 6 weeks:
- The firmness continues settling.
- The tissues soften gradually.
3 Months Post-Op
By 3 months:
- The incision line is healing nicely.
- You may still have a little bit of pinkness.
- The firmness you had should be pretty much resolved.
- Numbness and tingling should be improving as well.
6 Months: Final Scar Maturity
At 6 months:
- The incision line is fully mature.
- You should have minimal, if any, visible evidence of that incision.
Redefine Your Profile With A Neck Lift from Dr. Dominic
Ready to refine your profile and take years off your appearance? Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dominic Castellano uses careful neck lift techniques to remove sagging skin with minimal scarring.
Book your consultation today. Let’s start planning your transformation.
