Neck and brow lift – a clear neckline, an alert look

The face and neck age together. Anyone who only has their cheeks tightened therefore often does not look harmonious. The eyebrows shape the expression in a similar way: if they droop, the eyes look serious or tired – even when the eyelids are not the cause at all. Neck lifts, forehead lifts and eyebrow corrections are therefore part of my range in facial surgery.

The neck: what happens over the years

On the neck, three things work together: the skin loses its firmness, fat accumulates under the chin, and the flat neck muscle – the platysma – slackens. Vertical bands form, and the transition between chin and neck becomes blurred. Depending on what predominates, a different treatment is appropriate.

Options for a neck lift

• 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 edges of the muscle are brought together and the neckline is defined again
• Removal of excess skin: Excess skin is shifted backwards; the scar is hidden behind the ear
• Combination with a facelift: In a facelift, the deep tissue layer of the cheek, jawline and neck is lifted together

Forehead and eyebrows

Drooping brows press on the upper eyelid and make it appear heavier. Before I recommend upper eyelid surgery, I therefore always check the position of the brows 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 its 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, height of the forehead and the desired effect.

Process: preparation, procedure, aftercare

The extent and technique determine the process. Smaller procedures are possible under local anaesthesia. We decide on the place of the procedure during the consultation.

1. 01before the procedurePreparation

   Examination of the skin, fat distribution, neck muscle or forehead and brows; planning of the technique, incisions and type of anaesthesia; informed-consent discussion.

2. 02day of surgeryProcedure

   depending on the extent, outpatient or with a short inpatient stay.

3. 03the first few weeksAftercare

   Cooling, keeping the head elevated, check-ups and removal of stitches after a few days.

1. Consultation I also assess whether the eyelids or cheeks are affected – this influences which procedure is appropriate.
2. Preparation Pause anticoagulant medication only after consulting a doctor, and if possible do not smoke for a few weeks beforehand.
3. Procedure The incisions lie in natural folds, under the chin, behind the ear or in the hair-bearing scalp.

Risks

Possible risks are bruising, secondary bleeding, wound-healing problems, conspicuous scars, temporary sensory disturbances and asymmetries. On the neck, irregularities of the contour may occur; on the forehead, changes in the hairline or temporary hair loss in the area of the scar. Smoking increases the risk of healing problems. I discuss all these points with you in detail before the procedure.

Frequently asked questions