Mini vs. Full Neck Lift: Which Surgery is Best for Your Double Chin or Turkey Neck?

Are you frustrated with a persistent double chin that won't go away with diet and exercise?

Or perhaps you're noticing loose, sagging skin on your neck, often referred to as a "turkey neck"?

While non-invasive treatments like Ultherapy offer subtle tightening, they often can't deliver the dramatic, long-lasting results that surgery can.

If you're considering a surgical solution, you've likely come across two primary options: the mini neck lift and the full neck lift.

But what's the difference, and which one is right for you?

As a board-certified plastic surgeon at Noonopi Plastic Surgery in Korea, I'm here to break down these procedures to help you understand the best path to a defined, youthful neckline.

Understanding the Problem: Is It a Double Chin or a Turkey Neck?

Aesthetic neck has some specific angles and defined lines.

So before choosing a procedure, it's crucial to correctly diagnose the issue, as a double chin and a turkey neck have different underlying causes.

What is a Double Chin?

A double chin is primarily caused by an excess of stubborn fat located just beneath the neck of the muscle. This is sometimes called as submental fat. It can be present even in individuals who are otherwise slim, often due to genetics. The main issue here is volume, not necessarily loose skin.

What is a Turkey Neck?

A "turkey neck" (or "wattle neck") is a more complex issue related to the signs of aging. It’s typically a combination of two main factors:

Loose, Sagging Skin:

Loss of skin elasticity causes the neck skin to droop.

Weakened Neck Muscles: 

The platysma muscle, a sheet-like muscle at the front of the neck, can weaken and separate, creating two vertical bands (platysmal bands).

Neck Lift Comparison: Mini vs. Full

The best surgical approach depends directly on whether you have a double chin, a wattle neck, or a combination of both. Here’s a quick comparison:

The Submentoplasty: A Focused Solution

A mini neck lift, also known as a Submentoplasty, is a less invasive procedure designed to specifically target the area directly under your chin.

It is the ideal double chin operation for patients whose primary concern is excess fat and early signs of muscle laxity, but who still have good skin elasticity. Through a small, well-hidden incision under the chin, the surgeon performs three key steps:

a) Neck Liposuction or Lipectomy

Excess fat is permanently removed. Since no skin is directly excised, the contour relies on the skin's natural ability to retract and conform to the new neck line.

b) Muscle Tightening

The underlying platysma muscles are sutured together to create a stronger, smoother "internal corset" for the neck.

This tightening effect is particularly visible in the side profile, even when you lower your head.

c) Gland reduction

Although the necessity of submandibular gland reduction has been discussed by doctors for many years, the procedure is not popular among plastic surgeons because of its technical difficulty. The procedure requires a deep understanding of anatomy and advanced vessel ligation techniques; for this reason, not many clinics perform it even today.

The Full Neck Lift: The Comprehensive Solution

A full neck lift is the gold standard for comprehensive neck rejuvenation and the most effective turkey neck surgery. It addresses all three components of an aging neck: fat, muscle, and loose skin.

This procedure involves the same steps as a submentoplasty (an incision under the chin for fat removal and muscle tightening) but adds incisions discreetly placed behind each ear. 

These additional incisions allow the surgeon to:

• Remove Excess Skin: The loose, sagging skin is gently redraped, trimmed, and tightened.
• Create a Defined Jawline: The procedure provides a powerful lift that defines the jawline and smooths the entire neck contour.

This is the best option for patients with significant skin laxity or small retruded chin.

The Detail for a Perfect Jawline: Submandibular Gland Reduction

Sometimes, even after removing fat and tightening the muscles, a bulge can remain under the chin. This may be due to an enlarged submandibular gland.

At Noonopi Plastic Surgery, if necessary during a neck lift, we perform a submandibular gland excision by removing a portion of the enlarged gland. This is a sophisticated procedure that requires a deep anatomical understanding and a high level of technical skill. It creates a perfectly smooth and sharp neckline without obstruction.

Submandibular gland excision video performed at Noonopi

What About Non-Surgical Neck Lifts?

Some people may wish to improve their neck's appearance with non-surgical options to benefit from a quicker recovery and fewer risks. These treatments can be effective for very mild concerns:

• Botox®: Can be used on vertical neck bands to relax the platysma muscle and soften their appearance temporarily.
• Radiofrequency (RF) Microneedling & Ultrasound (Ultherapy): These energy-based devices stimulate collagen production to improve skin quality and provide modest skin tightening.

However, it's important to have realistic expectations. The results from these non-surgical treatments are far less dramatic and long-lasting than what can be achieved with a double chin surgery. They cannot remove significant fat, tighten deep muscles, or remove loose skin.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best Neck Lift for You

Neither a mini neck lift nor a full neck lift is absolutely "better" than the other. The most important thing is to accurately diagnose your current problems and choose the optimal solution that fits.

• If your main concerns are double chin fat and early muscle laxity, a mini neck lift is the right answer.
• If you need to address loose skin, vertical neck bands, and a loss of jawline definition, a full neck lift is necessary.

The most crucial first step is a consultation with a skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon who can accurately diagnose your condition. At Noonopi Plastic Surgery, we provide a precise diagnosis to help you reclaim a natural and effectively youthful neck and jawline.

If you have more questions about neck lift surgery, please contact us via 🔗WhatsApp