Deep Plane Neck Lift

Dual Plane Reduction / Contouring Neck Lift is a surgical procedure designed to lift and contour the neck by addressing tissues at multiple anatomical levels, including structures associated with the platysma muscle and the deeper tissues beneath it (subplatysmal plane). It may be considered for concerns such as neck laxity, a double chin, poorly defined jawline, or excess fullness beneath the chin and around the neck.

Unlike procedures that focus solely on removing fat beneath the chin, this approach involves assessing whether neck fullness or laxity originates from the skin, fat above the platysma, the platysma muscle, or deeper subplatysmal structures before determining the appropriate extent of surgery.

At Dr. Gorn Aesthetique, Dual Plane Neck Lift procedures are planned according to each individual's neck anatomy, jawline, hyoid bone position, platysma muscle, fat distribution, and the proportions between the chin and neck.

What Is Dual Plane Reduction / Contouring Neck Lift?

The term Dual Plane refers to planning tissue adjustments at more than one anatomical level. Depending on the underlying concerns, both the tissues above and below the platysma muscle may be evaluated.

The procedure may involve adjustments to:

• Fat beneath the chin and around the neck
• The platysma muscle
• Deeper tissues beneath the platysma, when indicated
• Loose skin around the neck
• The transition between the chin and neck
• The jawline and lower facial contours

This does not mean that every patient requires treatment of every tissue layer. The physician selects the structures to address based on the specific causes of each patient's concerns.

What Is the Platysma Muscle?

The platysma is a thin muscle located along the front of the neck that extends upward toward the lower face.

With aging or changes in the surrounding tissues, the platysma may become lax or separate along the midline, contributing to features such as:

• Reduced neck definition
• Visible platysmal bands
• A poorly defined angle between the chin and neck
• Loss of continuity along the lower facial contour

A neck lift may therefore require assessment and adjustment of the platysma rather than focusing only on the skin.

What Is a Deep Neck Lift?

Several anatomical structures beneath the platysma can contribute to fullness under the chin or around the neck.

For patients whose neck fullness originates from deeper structures, liposuction alone may not address all the underlying causes.

Deep Neck Contouring therefore refers to assessing and, when indicated, modifying deeper anatomical structures to improve the relationship between the chin, jawline, and neck.

Because this region contains important anatomical structures, surgery requires detailed planning by a qualified physician.

How Is Dual Plane Neck Lift Different from Double Chin Liposuction?

Submental Liposuction primarily focuses on reducing accessible fat beneath the chin through liposuction.

However, a thick-looking neck or double chin is not always caused by fat alone. Contributing factors may include:

• Subcutaneous fat
• Platysma laxity
• Platysmal bands
• Deeper tissues beneath the platysma
• Excess skin
• Chin and hyoid bone anatomy

A Dual Plane Neck Lift therefore aims to address the anatomical tissue layers responsible for the concern rather than simply reducing fat volume.

What Can Deep Neck Contouring Improve?

Depending on individual anatomy and the extent of surgery, the physician may plan treatment to:

• Reduce fullness beneath the chin
• Improve jawline definition and continuity
• Refine the cervicomental angle between the chin and neck
• Address platysma laxity
• Improve the appearance of platysmal bands
• Manage excess skin when appropriate
• Improve neck contours in relation to the chin and lower face

The goal is not to make the neck as thin as possible, but to create neck proportions that complement each individual's anatomy.

Who May Be Suitable for Dual Plane Neck Lift?

Individuals with the following concerns may consider a surgical assessment:

• Neck laxity or excess skin
• A double chin or submental fullness
• Poorly defined lower facial contours or jawline
• Visible platysmal bands
• A poorly defined chin-to-neck angle
• A combination of excess fat and neck muscle laxity
• Persistent fullness beneath the chin despite weight loss
• Residual fullness from other anatomical structures after previous double chin liposuction
• Combined lower face and neck laxity

Can Dual Plane Neck Lift Be Combined with a Deep Plane Facelift?

Combining these procedures may be considered, particularly for individuals with both lower face and neck laxity.

High SMAS / Extended Deep Plane Facelift primarily focuses on repositioning tissues in the midface and lower face, while Dual Plane Neck Lift focuses on the submental area, platysma, and neck.

Planning a combined Face & Neck Lift allows the physician to assess the transition from the lower cheeks and jawline to the neck as a whole.

Does the Platysma Muscle Need to Be Cut?

Not in every case.

Several techniques may be used to address the platysma, ranging from suturing and repositioning to adjusting muscle tension or modifying selected tissues when indicated.

The physician selects the technique according to the condition of the platysma, the degree of laxity, and individual anatomy. The same technique should not automatically be applied to every patient.

Where Are Dual Plane Neck Lift Incisions Located?

Incision placement depends on the extent of surgery. A small submental incision beneath the chin may be used to access structures in the central neck.

If additional neck skin lifting and repositioning are required, incisions around or behind the ears may also be needed, depending on the technique.

The physician determines incision placement based on individual anatomy and the amount of tissue requiring adjustment.

How Long Is Recovery After Dual Plane Neck Lift?

After surgery, temporary swelling, bruising, tightness, or changes in sensation around the neck may occur, especially during the initial recovery period.

These symptoms gradually subside as healing progresses. The jawline and neck contours continue to change as swelling decreases.

Recovery time depends on the extent of surgery. When combined with a facelift or adjustments to multiple anatomical layers, recovery may differ from that of neck contouring alone.