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Lower Facelift
What it is: A lower facelift targets loose, sagging skin in the neck, chin, and jawline area. “This type of facelift is primarily a resuspension procedure—meaning we’re repositioning tissue rather than adding to it,” Athré says. “Additional fat grafting, which we often use in other facelift types, isn’t typically needed here. That’s part of what leads to a really nice, long-term cosmetic result.”
Recovery: Athré says the recovery time for a lower facelift is roughly the same as what you’d see with a full facelift—typically between seven and 10 days. But it can take a couple of months before the full results are visible. “One of the perks of doing this procedure in the fall or winter is that people can wear a scarf or a turtleneck to cover any bruising, which makes it easier to get back to their routine sooner,” Athré says.
Who’s the ideal candidate? Athré says the typical patient for this type of procedure is on the younger side and usually healthy with good skin tone, elasticity, and overall volume. “Typically, it’s someone in their early to mid-30s who says, ‘Hey, listen, I’ve always had a neck I didn’t like. I work out, I’m in pretty good shape overall, but I just want more definition in my neck area, and I’m unhappy with the fullness there,'” he explains.
The ideal candidate for a direct neck lift is typically a man who is only looking to address excess sagging skin on his neck. “Male candidates tend to be better suited because their skin is thicker, which improves the scar profile, and the hair-bearing skin helps to camouflage the scars,” Athré says.
