Facial aging rarely affects a single area in isolation. Changes in the lower face and neck tend to occur together, which is why comprehensive evaluation and thoughtful surgical planning matter. At Guelph Facial Plastics, this philosophy is guided by Dr. Matthew D. Brace, MSc, MD, FRCS(C), Medical Director and double-board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. With advanced fellowship training and a practice dedicated exclusively to surgery of the face and neck, Dr. Brace brings focused expertise to procedures that demand precise anatomical understanding and long-term judgment. His approach emphasizes natural balance, structural support, and results that evolve gracefully over time, rather than surface tightening alone. Here’s what you need to know about whether a deep plane facelift can be safely and effectively combined with a neck lift.
Why the Face and Neck Are Often Treated Together
The face and neck function as a single aesthetic unit, and aging rarely respects artificial boundaries between these areas. Laxity in the lower face contributes to jowling, while changes beneath the chin and along the neck disrupt jawline definition and profile balance. Treating one region without the other can leave the result looking incomplete or mismatched.
A deep plane facelift repositions the deeper facial tissues that descend with age, restoring support to the lower face and jawline. A neck lift addresses skin laxity, muscle banding, and fullness beneath the chin. When planned together, these procedures create smoother transitions between the face and neck, producing a result that appears cohesive, intentional, and naturally refreshed.
What Makes the Deep Plane Approach Different
A deep plane facelift addresses facial aging at a deeper anatomical level than traditional facelift techniques. Rather than relying on skin tightening, the underlying muscular and connective tissue layers are released and repositioned as a unified structure. This allows correction of midface descent, jowls, and jawline laxity at their source.
Because the skin is redraped without excessive tension, facial movement and expression are preserved, and results tend to appear more natural and durable. This deeper approach also makes the procedure particularly well suited for patients who show concurrent aging in the face and neck. The goal is balance and harmony, not exaggeration or overcorrection.
How a Neck Lift Complements a Deep Plane Facelift
Neck aging varies widely from patient to patient. Some individuals experience submental fullness or a double chin, others develop visible platysmal banding, and some are primarily concerned with loose or excess skin. When these concerns coexist with lower facial aging, combining procedures often produces the most refined outcome.
A coordinated approach allows the surgeon to address multiple contributing factors in a single plan:
- Jawline definition: Coordinating lower face lifting with neck contouring restores cleaner, more continuous lines from the cheeks to the collarbone.
- Muscle banding: Platysmaplasty smooths visible neck bands while the facelift restores structural facial support.
- Submental fullness: Fat removal or contouring beneath the chin sharpens the cervicomental angle.
- Skin laxity: Excess neck skin can be corrected without relying on surface tension alone.
Treating these elements together supports unified surgical planning and avoids results that appear segmented or incomplete.
Is Combining Procedures Safe?
When performed by a surgeon with dedicated facial and neck training, combining a deep plane facelift with a neck lift is not only safe for appropriate candidates, it is often advantageous. Completing both procedures in a single operative setting allows for one recovery period, coordinated healing, and more predictable aesthetic balance.
Dr. Brace’s background in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex anatomy involved. Each surgical plan is individualized, taking into account facial structure, airway considerations, skin quality, and long-term aesthetic goals.
Explore Combined Facelift and Neck Lift Surgery
A deep plane facelift can be combined with a neck lift when neck aging contributes to loss of facial harmony, but this decision requires expert evaluation and precise planning. At Guelph Facial Plastics, Dr. Brace brings advanced fellowship training, academic leadership, and focused surgical experience to every case. If you are considering facial rejuvenation and want clear, individualized guidance on whether combining procedures is right for you, we invite you to schedule a private consultation with our team today.
