Neck and forehead lift – contours at the neck, an open gaze

The face and neck age together. That is why someone who only has the cheeks tightened often does not look harmonious. The eyebrows likewise shape the expression: if they droop, the gaze looks serious or tired – even if the eyelids are not the problem at all. Neck lifts, forehead lifts and eyebrow corrections are part of my range of facial surgery.

The neck: what happens over the years

Three things work together at the neck: the skin loses firmness, fat accumulates under the chin, and the flat neck muscle – the platysma – slackens. Vertical bands form, and the line between the chin and the neck becomes blurred. Depending on which component predominates, a different treatment is advisable.

Neck lift options

• Liposuction under the chin: when it is mainly fat that blurs the contour and the skin is still elastic
• Tightening of the neck muscle: through a small incision under the chin, the separated muscle edges are brought together – the neckline becomes defined again
• Removal of excess skin: excess skin is shifted backwards; the scar is hidden behind the ear
• Combination with the facelift: in a facelift, the deep tissue layer of the cheek, jawline and neck is lifted together

The forehead and the eyebrows

Drooping brows press down on the upper eyelid and make it appear heavier. Before I recommend upper eyelid surgery, I therefore always check the position of the eyebrows as well – sometimes a brow lift is the better or the complementary solution.

Techniques at a glance

• Classic forehead lift: incision in the hair-bearing scalp from temple to temple; effective, but moves the hairline back somewhat. With a high forehead, the incision can be placed along the hairline.
• Endoscopic forehead lift: through a few small incisions behind the hairline using a camera and fine instruments; the forehead is lifted and fixed. Gentle, but the durability is more limited because no tissue is removed.
• Temporal lift: small incision in the hair-bearing temple; mainly lifts the outer part of the brow.
• Direct eyebrow correction: a narrow strip of skin directly above the brow is removed; very targeted and long-lasting, but leaves a fine scar at the edge of the brow.

Which method is suitable depends on the hairline, hair density, forehead height and the desired effect.

Procedure

1. Consultation and examination I assess the skin, fat distribution, neck muscle or forehead and brows – and whether the eyelids or cheeks are also affected.
2. Planning We decide on the technique, incision pattern and type of anesthesia; smaller procedures are possible under local anesthesia.
3. Preparation pause anticoagulant medication only after consulting a doctor; if possible, do not smoke for a few weeks beforehand.
4. Surgery depending on the extent, on an outpatient basis or with a short inpatient stay.
5. Aftercare Cooling, elevation, check-ups and suture removal after a few days.

Risks

Possible risks include bruising, secondary bleeding, wound healing problems, conspicuous scars, temporary sensory disturbances and asymmetries. At the neck, irregularities of the contour can occur; at the forehead, changes in the hairline or temporary hair loss in the scar area. Smoking increases the risk of healing problems. I discuss all points in detail before the procedure.

Frequently asked questions