3 Reasons to Combine Facelift and Neck Lift (Benefits, Techniques, Key Considerations)

2025-04-27

Noonopi Plastic Surgery · Dr. Nk Park

3 Reasons to Combine Facelift and Neck Lift (Benefits, Techniques, Key Considerations)

Many patients seek facial lifting to improve nasolabial folds, sagging cheeks, or double chins.
In this post, I’ll explain the differences between facelift and neck lift, and why doing both procedures together can significantly improve both results and safety.
If you prefer to watch, check out the video below:
▶️ Why Double Chin Liposuction Often Fails

What’s the difference between facelift and neck lift?

The face is composed of five layers: skin, subcutaneous fat, facial expression muscles (SMAS layer), deep soft tissue, and the periosteum (bone covering).
 

facial anatomy SMAS layer

Layer anatomy of the face

A traditional facelift involves separating both the subcutaneous and SMAS layers, then lifting the sagging tissues.

facelift dual plane subcutaneous and SMAS dissection

Dual plane Subcutaneous and SMAS dissection

Dual plane facelift overview

Dual plane facelift overview

Because two layers are dissected, it’s often referred to as a dual plane facelift.

Facelift Incisions and Dissection Range

Incision: Front and partially behind the ear

facelift incision location

facelift incision location

Dissection range: Cheeks and jawline

facelift dissection area

facelift dissection area

Neck Lift Incisions and Dissection Range

Mini neck lift (short scar neck lift): A small incision under the chin to improve double chin

Mini neck lift incision and dissection area

Mini neck lift incision and dissection area

Extended, ful neck lift: Combines mini neck lift with incisions behind the ear to improve sagging skin more thoroughly

full neck lift incision location

Full neck lift incision location

Why You Should Combine Facelift and Neck Lift

Overlapping incision and dissection areas

As you can see above, facelift and neck lift surgeries share overlapping areas.
If done separately, the second procedure may be compromised due to scar tissue or inflammation caused by the first surgery.
Performing them together improves efficiency and shortens recovery time.

Combined facelift and neck lift in one surgery

Combined facelift and neck lift in one surgery

Greater surgical safety

During facelift surgery, if the retaining ligaments are mishandled, there is a risk of facial nerve damage.
However, by making a small incision under the chin (as in neck lift), surgeons can access and manage these ligaments safely and directly, reducing nerve injury risk.

facial retaining ligaments and nerve pathways

facial retaining ligaments and nerve pathways

Case of nerve damage after facelift(by unknown surgeon)

Case of nerve damage after facelift(by unknown surgeon)

revision Facelift before after korea

Facelift revision 7 months after

Effectively corrects double chin

Through neck lift surgery, we can remove deep fat and submandibular glands, and tighten the platysma muscle.
This addresses the main cause of a double chin, rather than just surface fat removal.

double chin surgery via neck lift

double chin surgery via neck lift

Real Patient Cases

Mini neck lift (under the chin incision only)

mini neck lift before after photos

mini neck lift before after photos

Extended neck lift (incision on chin and back of the ear)

full neck lift before after results

full neck lift before after results

Combined facelift + neck lift

face and neck lift korea before after

Noonopi clinic combined facelift necklift patient review

face and neck lift before after

simultaneous facelift and necklift results

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Individual results may vary.
All medical procedures carry potential risks, side effects, and complications.
Please consult a qualified medical professional.