Neck Lift

Conveniently located to serve the areas of Algonquin, IL

A neck lift is a surgical procedure that improves the aesthetic appearance of your neck and jawline. This procedure has been gaining popularity in the United States over the last several years, seeing more than a 2% increase in performance between 2023 and 2024. (1) Through careful repositioning, tightening, and excision, a neck lift can help you achieve a more slender and youthful-looking neck.

Utku Dolen, MD, is a plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgeon at Northwest Plastic Surgery. He is board-certified in both the United States and Europe by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery.

To get started, please visit our office or call (847) 854-3522.

About Neck Lifts

Over time, factors such as aging, gravity, genetics, and lifestyle habits can change the appearance of your neck, resulting in sagging skin, muscle banding, as well as the appearance of creases, lines, and wrinkles. (2) Dr. Dolen can perform a neck lift to address these changes, restoring a smoother and tighter appearance to your neck and jawline.

Benefits

Neck lifts offer several notable benefits, including:

  • Enhanced Jawline Definition: A neck lift can improve the definition and sculpt of your jawline, resulting in a sharper appearance.
  • Reduced Neck Banding: This procedure helps reduce the appearance of muscle bands around your neck, leading to a smoother and more slender look and shape.
  • Long-Lasting Results: When paired with healthy lifestyle habits and care, the results of a neck lift will last for years to come.
  • Revitalized Appearance: A neck lift can effectively address sagging skin, wrinkles, and other signs of aging around the neck, restoring a more refreshed and rejuvenated appearance.
  • Elevated Confidence: After seeing their results, many patients report an improvement in their self-esteem, which may lead to a greater sense of confidence and body positivity.

Candidates

Candidates for a neck lift include anyone interested in addressing signs of aging around their neck and jawline. Patients who experience sagging or loose skin, as well as those concerned with the appearance of vertical neck bands, may also make suitable candidates. (3)

Anyone interested in this procedure should be in good general health and maintain realistic expectations regarding their results. Dr. Dolen will determine each patient’s eligibility for a neck lift during their consultation.

Personal Consultation

Before scheduling your neck lift procedure, you will need to attend a personal consultation. During this consultation, Dr. Dolen will meet with you individually to discuss what a neck lift encompasses. He will also ask several questions about your medical history, concerns, and ideal aesthetic to further understand your motivations and get to know you more personally. He will evaluate the condition and quality of your neck skin, as well as your overall anatomy.

Dr. Dolen will use the details shared throughout this conversation to determine your candidacy and develop your treatment plan. Dr. Dolen will recommend the best surgical strategies for your circumstances, and he may suggest additional procedures to enhance your desired appearance. Throughout the consultation, he will also take the time to answer any questions you may have. By carefully listening to your goals, Dr. Dolen can provide a tailored solution that addresses each of your unique concerns.

To schedule this consultation and receive your tailored treatment plan, please visit our office or call (847) 854-3522.

Our office proudly serves the areas of:

  • Barrington
  • Schamburg
  • Hoffman Estates
  • Arlington Heights
  • McHenry
  • Crystal Lake
  • Lake in the Hills
  • Algonquin
  • St. Charles
  • Union
  • Huntley
  • Carpentersville
  • DeKalb
  • Marengo
  • Woodstock
  • Carry
  • Bartlett
  • Streamwood
  • Wauconda
  • Dundee
  • Elgin
  • Aurora
  • Naperville
  • Fox Lake

Preparation

After scheduling your procedure, we will provide you with pre-operative instructions. These instructions may vary between patients, but they are essential for a safe and successful procedure. They might include:

  • Discontinue medications and supplements that have blood-thinning properties.
  • Avoid alcohol consumption for at least two weeks before the procedure.
  • Completely stop using nicotine at least two months before the procedure.
  • Plan time away from work and other responsibilities to focus on your recovery.
  • Arrange transportation home after your procedure.
  • Fill all prescribed medications in advance.

Procedure

When you arrive for your procedure, Dr. Dolen will cleanse your skin, and you will receive general anesthesia. Dr. Dolen will place incisions behind your ears or below your chin to minimize visible scarring. After making these incisions, he can tighten the platysma muscle in the neck. This is often a key component of the neck lift procedure, as this muscle is the primary contributor to visible neck banding. Dr. Dolen will also remove excess skin for a smoother and tighter appearance.

If necessary, Dr. Dolen can use liposuction to remove stubborn fat from the treatment area. To perform liposuction, he will place an incision beneath the chin, inject a tumescent solution to swell the fat cells and numb the area, then insert a thin tube called a cannula. He will use the cannula to break up the fat and gently suction it out.

Recovery

You should follow all post-operative instructions we provide for a quick recovery and optimal results.

In the initial stages of your recovery, you can expect to experience swelling, bruising, and discomfort around the treated areas. These effects are temporary and will subside on their own, but you can also manage them with sufficient rest and prescribed medications. You will use a specialized compression garment to wear, which will minimize additional swelling and protect your new contours as your body heals.

You will likely feel ready to return to work within two weeks, depending on the nature of your job. However, you will need to avoid physical exercise or strenuous activities until Dr. Dolen provides clearance.

Results

The results of your neck lift will become more apparent as any residual swelling subsides in a couple of months. You will be able to enjoy the appearance of a slender neck, as well as a sharper and more defined jawline. You can also enjoy a more youthful-looking appearance, with the reduction of creases, wrinkles, lines, and folds around the neck and jaw. The results of a neck lift are long-lasting, especially when patients maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Corresponding Procedures

Facelift

A neck lift is often performed as part of a facelift procedure. Because the neck and lower face age as a unit, it is beneficial to rejuvenate these areas together. During a facelift, Dr. Dolen will lift and reposition the underlying tissues of the face while also removing excess skin. The result is a reduction in deep folds, improvement in facial definition and proportions, and a more youthful look overall.

To learn more about the other procedures that can enhance your neck lift, we encourage you to read the Northwest Plastic Surgery blog.

Cost of a Neck Lift in Algonquin, Illinois

When determining the price of a neck lift, we consider the surgical techniques, the extent of correction, whether we perform any additional procedures, and a handful of other factors. Dr. Dolen will discuss the cost of your neck lift after establishing your treatment plan during your consultation.

To learn more about the cost of your procedure, please visit our office or call (847) 854-3522.

FAQ

Can a neck lift help me address the appearance of jowls?

Yes, a neck lift can help improve the appearance of jowls by tightening underlying muscles and reducing excess skin along the jawline and neck. During your consultation, Dr. Dolen can evaluate your concerns and recommend whether a neck lift alone or in combination with other procedures will provide the best results.

How long will the results of my neck lift last?

The results of a neck lift are long-lasting, with many patients experiencing effects that last for many years.

Will a neck lift leave any visible scarring?

As with any surgical procedure, there is a chance that there will be visible scarring after you heal. Dr. Dolen takes great care to place incisions in discreet and inconspicuous locations, and will discuss scar-minimizing agents with you as well after your incisions have fully healed.

Is there a specific age I should be to undergo a neck lift?

Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria may undergo a neck lift regardless of their age; however, patients between the ages of 40 and 60 with visible signs of aging will see the most significant results. (3)

Can I combine my neck lift with another aesthetic treatment?

Yes, many patients choose to combine their neck lift with another procedure or treatment for more cohesive and comprehensive results. If you are interested in combining your procedure, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Dolen for personalized suggestions and further information.

References

  1. ASPS. 2024 ASPS Procedural Statistics Release. American Society of Plastic Surgeons ® Endorsed Partner; 2024. https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/news/statistics/2024/plastic-surgery-statistics-report-2024.pdf
  2. Paloma Pérez, Hohman MH. Neck Rejuvenation. Nih.gov. Published September 4, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562229/#article-102110.s4
  3. Alexander L, Patel BC. Platysmaplasty Facelift. Nih.gov. Published September 4, 2023. Accessed September 12, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK563291/#article-21529.s4