Neck Lift in London
At our custom-built luxury surgical centre on world-renowned Harley Street, Dr. Julian De Silva personally performs every procedure—specialising exclusively in facial surgery, where precision is measured in millimetres, not centimetres. With over 1,000 five-star reviews, Dr. De Silva is trusted worldwide for delivering subtle, natural enhancements that restore and rejuvenate
What is a Natural Neck Lift?
A neck lift procedure in London, also called platysmaplasty or cervicoplasty, gives the neck a firmer, smoother, and more elegant appearance. As the name implies, a neck lift is a surgical cosmetic treatment that enhances your neck’s look by lifting it. The specific technique or combination of procedures you need to have depends on what results you’re looking for. Often, neck contouring is part of a facelift, but it can be done separately if you’re happy with the appearance of your face.
Ageing of the face is characterised by three key changes, loss of volume of the fat and soft tissues in the face, gravitational descent of facial soft tissues and laxity of the skin. For some patients, the majority of the changes are in their neck as a combination of facial ageing and often genetics.
A neck lift operation in London can improve your jawline, restore a youthful angle to your neck and remove loose skin and fullness. As a face and neck specialist, Dr De Silva understands the importance of pulling the skin in the right direction to produce a naturally lifted neck. This way, a smooth transition between the jaw and the neck can be created.
What Does A Neck Lift in London Treat?
A neck lift is a cosmetic procedure that targets signs of ageing in the neck area, including sagging skin, excess fat, and muscle laxity. It’s ideal for addressing issues like double chins, "turkey neck," and jowls, helping to create a smoother, more defined, and youthful neckline.
Neck Skin Laxity (Turkey Neck)
“Turkey neck” describes wrinkled, sagging skin on the neck caused by the loss of collagen and elastin over time, essential proteins responsible for keeping it firm and supple. Factors such as sun exposure, genetics, and gravity accelerate this loss, leading to a crepey or drooping appearance. A neck lift resolves this by removing excess skin and tightening the remaining tissue for a smoother, more youthful contour.
Neck Muscle Laxity
As we age, the muscles in our neck weaken and lose their structure and elasticity. A neck lift surgery effectively addresses this by tightening these muscles to create a more defined, 90-degree neckline. By folding and tightening the neck muscles, the procedure allows for better redraping of the skin, achieving smoother and more refined results compared to techniques that do not address the muscles.
Neck Fat Deposits and Buildup
Over time, fat deposits often accumulate under the chin and around the jowls. In rare cases, a condition called Madelung's disease leads to an abnormal buildup of fat around the neck, shoulders, upper arms, torso, hips, and thighs. The extent of these fat deposits varies from person to person. Neck surgery can be an effective solution for removing these unwanted fat deposits, helping to restore a more youthful appearance.
Neck Wrinkles
Neck wrinkles are just like any other wrinkles that you can see on the different areas of your body. Although wrinkles are a natural part of ageing, other factors like smoking or too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can exacerbate their appearance. If your wrinkles concern you, you have many options available to you. These options vary from medications to skin resurfacing techniques, fillers, and a neck lift.
Crepey Neck Skin
Crepey skin, which resembles thin, wrinkled crepe paper, is often saggy, loose, and becomes more noticeable over time. It typically affects larger areas, such as under the eyes and on the upper arms, and can feel fragile and thin. As we age, the skin produces less oil, disrupting the lipid barrier that locks in moisture, which can lead to dryness and crepey skin. If the condition fluctuates with the seasons, it likely indicates a lack of moisture.
Underlying Jaw line & Chin
Genetically some people have a weaker jaw line and smaller chin, this can mean that the underlying bone structure is weak. In these patients Dr De Silva often discusses a customised natural chin implant to provide enhanced natural jaw line that improves the neck further. Key is that the chin implant is customised to match the individual persons natural chin and jaw line.
Neck Fullness
Genetically some people have fuller necks, this can result from deeper neck fat, salivary glands that have dropped beneath the jaw line and lower neck anatomy (e.g. hyoid bone). In these patients, Dr De Silva may suggest deeper neck surgery that includes shaving down the descended salivary gland and deeper fat. In these fuller necks, this additional detail to the procedure can result in a more contoured and shaped jaw line.
Are You An Ideal Candidate For Neck Lift Surgery?
Neck lift surgery is ideal for individuals experiencing sagging skin, excess fat, or muscle laxity in the neck area due to ageing, genetics, or significant weight loss. The procedure is well-suited for those in good overall health, with realistic expectations about the results. If you have a "turkey neck," double chin, or noticeable jowls, neck lift surgery can significantly improve the contour and definition of your neckline. A consultation with Dr De Silva will help determine whether neck lift surgery in London is the best option for achieving your aesthetic goals.
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View Our Harley Street Patient Neck Lift Before and After Results
Dr De Silva focuses on your areas of concern to create natural, subtle results that enhance your facial profile without looking overdone or artificial. View our patient transformations.
“Not pulled. Not tight. Just lifted, naturally, and just me.” This healthcare professional noticed she looked increasingly tired, and Dr. Julian De Silva restored her natural freshness using his 7-component Vertical Restore approach, including vertical deep plane facelift with neck lift, fat-transfer volume enhancement, and CO₂ laser skin resurfacing with regenerative medicine.
“I trusted Dr. De Silva because he’s an artist, not just a surgeon.” This patient sought Dr. Julian De Silva after noticing a tired, gaunt appearance with loose skin, jowls, neck bands, and facial volume loss. His natural facelift, neck lift, and fat transfer restored a refreshed, youthful look that still feels authentically her.
I saw this lovely patient 8 weeks after her facelift, and she looks fantastic. She came in concerned about drooping jowls, deep lines, a fuller neck, and loss of jawline definition. With a customized deep plane facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, and laser resurfacing, we restored a refined, youthful, and beautifully natural look.
“Not pulled. Not tight. Just lifted, naturally, and just me.” This healthcare professional noticed she looked increasingly tired, and Dr. Julian De Silva restored her natural freshness using his 7-component Vertical Restore approach, including vertical deep plane facelift with neck lift, fat-transfer volume enhancement, and CO₂ laser skin resurfacing with regenerative medicine.
“I trusted Dr. De Silva because he’s an artist, not just a surgeon.” This patient sought Dr. Julian De Silva after noticing a tired, gaunt appearance with loose skin, jowls, neck bands, and facial volume loss. His natural facelift, neck lift, and fat transfer restored a refreshed, youthful look that still feels authentically her.
I saw this lovely patient 8 weeks after her facelift, and she looks fantastic. She came in concerned about drooping jowls, deep lines, a fuller neck, and loss of jawline definition. With a customized deep plane facelift, neck lift, blepharoplasty, and laser resurfacing, we restored a refined, youthful, and beautifully natural look.
What Are the Different Types of Neck Lifts?
There is a large spectrum of techniques to improve the shape of the neck; the key is customisation. However, there are two main types of neck lifts:
Read What Our Satisfied Patients Say About Us
“Having Lower Blepharoplasty with Dr. De Silva gives you the benefit of years of experience, qualifications not only in the U.K. but also the U.S. and yet you don’t lose the gentle bedside manner from this doctor. From our first meeting, Dr. De Silva won me over because he gave me the time to obtain answers and explanations to all my questions in kind details, as many times as I needed.”
Twilight Sedation: A Gentler, Safer Approach to Neck Lift Surgery
Neck lift patients benefit from Dr De Silva’s twilight sedation technique, which eliminates the risks of general anaesthesia while maintaining full comfort and natural breathing. This controlled method supports less grogginess, reduced risk, and faster early healing, making it especially effective for neck lift procedures.
Why Choose Dr. De Silva As Your Neck Lift Surgeon?
Dr Julian De Silva is a highly regarded facial cosmetic and plastic surgeon, specialising in neck lift surgery and other facial treatments. He has built a reputation for delivering natural-looking results with a focus on fast recovery, personalising each procedure to the needs of his patients. Operating from a state-of-the-art clinic in London's prestigious Harley Street, Dr De Silva uses his pioneering techniques in neck lift surgery to achieve youthful and harmonious outcomes.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr De Silva has trained extensively in London, New York, and Los Angeles, earning both European and American qualifications in his field. He is one of the few surgeons to have completed two randomised control studies in surgery, the gold standard of surgical evidence. Known for his artistic approach, Dr De Silva combines science with aesthetics to create balanced and natural-looking results. Whether you are seeking to restore youthful contours or address neck ageing, Dr De Silva’s personalised approach ensures a safe, effective and natural outcome.
- ASOPRS Facelift and Neck Lift Course Director
- CQC (Care Quality Commission) Accredited Harley Street Clinic
- Over 30 Media Appearances As A Facial Aesthetics Expert
In the Press
Your Neck Lift Operation
Neck contouring can be done independently or in conjunction with other facial cosmetic surgery treatments to achieve more all-encompassing results.
Initial Neck Lift Consultation
During the planning stage, Dr De Silva will discuss his proposed strategy to sculpt your neck to achieve your desired results. He understands that each patient is different and therefore may also require the use of adjunct treatments such as fat reshaping and reduction or implants. Another advantage of working with Dr De Silva is that you’ll have access to his A+ clinical team as well. You’ll be given extensive pre- and post-op information, as well as plenty of opportunities to ask questions about your neck lift procedure.
Preparing For Your Neck Lift with Dr De Silva
Before your neck lift, Dr De Silva will complete a medical check-up to ensure that you have the ideal health to undergo surgery. Dr De Silva may ask you to reduce medications and to quit smoking. It is important to make some lifestyle adjustments ahead of surgery such as completing strenuous tasks beforehand, arranging transportation home, and planning for downtime post-surgery to ensure a smooth and rapid recovery.
Your Harley Street Neck Lift
Dr De Silva performs advanced neck lift procedures in London, combining traditional and minimal incision techniques to enhance jawline and neck contours. All procedures are carried out under sedation anaesthesia, a safer alternative to general anaesthesia, and innovations such as 3D telescopes and bio-therapy are incorporated for faster healing. Traditional methods address fat sculpting, tissue tightening, and excess skin removal, while minimal incisions offer subtle improvements with less scarring.
Key to the procedure is repairing the platysma muscle, which often causes vertical neck bands with age. Dr De Silva uses precise techniques, including a double imbrication method, to tighten the neck and provide lasting support against gravity. Scars are carefully concealed within natural folds using a triple-stitch microsurgical approach for minimal visibility.
For patients with significant jowls or skin laxity, Dr De Silva may recommend combining the neck lift with a facelift for more comprehensive rejuvenation. Additional procedures, such as chin augmentation are sometimes recommended to enhance the overall harmony of the face and neck. Dr De Silva also uses innovations like fibrin tissue adhesives to reduce bleeding and expedite recovery. Each neck lift is customised to the patient’s anatomy for natural and effective results.
Follow-up Appointments
Dr De Silva will assess your recovery and healing in a follow-up appointment shortly after your surgery. If sutures are used, these will be removed and the wound site assessed to ensure “barely there” scars and a quick, safe recovery.
Social Readiness
Following a neck lift treatment, just like after any other type of surgery, you will need to have a responsible adult, such as a member of your family, drive you home. Additionally, you will require the assistance of another person for 24 hours after your operation. It is important that you do your best not to take a bath for a minimum of two days, and you must avoid having hot showers or baths for 30 to 60 days after the procedure. You will benefit from using ice packs to help manage the pain and swelling in your body, while a strap for your chin will help to minimise swelling and provide pain relief. The strap fights gravity and works to stabilise your blood pressure after surgery. Most patients are able to return to social and professional activities after one to three weeks.
What to Expect from your Recovery
Dr De Silva has pioneered the use of regenerative medicine and oxygen therapy to speed up the healing process. Recovery from a neck lift procedure typically involves minimal discomfort and manageable side effects. Bruising is usually mild and resolves within 1-2 weeks. Though in rare cases, deeper bruising may take up to 6 weeks to heal. In all cases, the appearance of bruising can be concealed with makeup after the first week. Numbness around the ears and chin gradually improves over 6 weeks and may take up to a year to fully resolve.
Pain is minimal, often lasting less than 24 hours and easily managed with oral analgesics, though many patients require none. Scars are discreetly placed along natural curves behind the ears and under the chin, becoming barely visible after a few weeks and reaching their final appearance 6-12 months later. Light exercise can typically resume after three weeks, and major events should be delayed for at least six weeks post-surgery to ensure most swelling has subsided.
Combine your Neck Lift With Other Facial Surgeries
When you desire further facial enhancement to combat signs of ageing, Dr De Silva may also suggest to combine one or several of the following surgical procedures with your neck lift.
Facelift
Combining facelift surgery with neck lift enhances overall facial rejuvenation, addressing both sagging skin and muscle laxity in the face and neck for a more youthful, defined, and harmonious appearance.
Chin Implants
Pairing chin implants with neck lift surgery improves facial balance, enhancing the chin’s profile and creating a more defined, proportionate appearance, complementing overall facial rejuvenation.
Buccal Fat Reshaping
Simultaneous buccal fat reshaping and neck lift surgery refines facial contours, creating a slimmer, more sculpted appearance by reducing excess cheek fat and enhancing the overall balance of the face.
Patient Experiences
In this video, we'll take you through the patient's journey, starting from before the surgery, capturing her initial concerns and aspirations for the procedure. Then, witness the stunning results unfold as we reveal her post-op images taken at 10 weeks after the surgery. From addressing concerns about her appearance to regaining confidence and self-assurance, this journey exemplifies the transformative power of personalised cosmetic surgery.
Risks and Safety of Neck Lift Surgery
A neck lift is a complex procedure requiring detailed knowledge of anatomy and surgical precision. In Dr De Silva’s experienced hands, complications are rare, with swelling and bruising being the most common recovery aspects. Pain is minimal, often resolving within 24 hours, and infection is rare due to the use of prophylactic antibiotics.
Dr De Silva uses sedation anaesthesia to avoid risks associated with general anaesthesia, such as deep vein thrombosis or allergic reactions. Two rare and serious complications are skin necrosis (delayed healing of the skin) and stretching of a motor nerve (recovers over a 6-month period). Some other possible risks of neck lift surgery may include:
- Bleeding under the skin (hematoma)
- Thick scarring
- Blood clots
- Nerve injury
- Skin loss
- Open wounds
While no surgeon is completely free of revision cases, Dr De Silva’s meticulous approach keeps these to a minimum. Over 20% of his patients are those seeking revision surgery after procedures performed elsewhere, highlighting his expertise in corrective care.
Discuss Your Neck Concerns With Dr De Silva:
Book an appointment with Dr Julian De Silva at the Centre for Advanced Facial, Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery, located in Harley Street, London area, to learn more about how you can say goodbye to your saggy neck for good!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a neck lift and how is it different from a facelift?
What is a neck lift and how is it different from a facelift?
A neck lift, also known as a platysmaplasty or cervicoplasty, is a surgical procedure that addresses the signs of ageing in the neck and lower jaw area, including loose skin, excess fat beneath the chin, and weakened neck muscle. It restores a smooth, defined contour and a naturally elegant neck angle.
While a facelift and neck lift are frequently performed together, a standalone neck lift is appropriate for patients who are satisfied with the appearance of their mid and upper face but wish to specifically address the neck and jawline. Dr De Silva will assess at consultation whether a neck lift alone will achieve your goals, or whether combining it with a facelift would give a more complete and harmonious result.
Does a neck lift address the muscle, or just remove skin?
Does a neck lift address the muscle, or just remove skin?
This is one of the most important distinctions in neck lift surgery. Dr De Silva's approach addresses the platysma muscle; the sheet of muscle beneath the skin of the neck, as well as excess skin and fat. Techniques that only tighten the skin without addressing the underlying muscle tend to produce results that are shorter-lasting and can look pulled or unnatural.
By lifting and tightening the platysma directly, Dr De Silva creates a smoother, more defined neck contour that holds its shape more naturally over time. This deeper approach is particularly important for patients with visible vertical neck bands or significant muscle laxity, and is a central part of his neck lift technique at Harley Street.
Can a neck lift help with a double chin or turkey neck?
Can a neck lift help with a double chin or turkey neck?
Yes, both are among the most common reasons patients seek a neck lift in London. A double chin can result from genetic factors, excess submental fat, or weakened muscle, none of which respond reliably to non-surgical treatments. A turkey neck describes the loose, crepey skin and vertical banding that develop with age as the neck loses collagen and elastin.
Dr De Silva addresses both concerns surgically, combining soft tissue refinement, platysma muscle tightening, and precise skin redraping to restore a clean jawline and a well-defined neck angle. For younger patients in their 30s or 40s where the concern is primarily fat rather than skin laxity, liposuction or a less extensive procedure may be sufficient; this will be assessed at your consultation.
How long does a neck lift take and what anaesthetic is used?
How long does a neck lift take and what anaesthetic is used?
A standalone neck lift typically takes between one and a half to three hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure, the degree of laxity, and whether additional techniques such as fat refinement are included. A combined facelift and neck lift takes on average four to six hours. Dr De Silva allows sufficient time for each procedure; careful, unhurried surgery is fundamental to a natural result.
Dr De Silva performs all neck lift procedures under his patented Rapid Recovery Twilight Sedation (RRTS) protocol - a specialist sedation technique he has developed over more than a decade. Unlike general anaesthesia, twilight sedation allows patients to breathe independently, wake faster, and experience significantly less nausea and grogginess. In clinical audits, patients have rated their sedation experience an average of 9.4 out of 10.
What is the recovery time after a neck lift?
What is the recovery time after a neck lift?
Most patients return to social activities within two to three weeks of a neck lift, though individual recovery varies depending on the extent of the procedure and the patient's natural healing. Swelling and bruising are expected in the first one to two weeks and resolve gradually. Dr De Silva uses regenerative medicine techniques, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and lymphatic drainage to support faster healing and reduce downtime.
Some numbness in the chin and neck area is normal and can persist for up to six months as sensation gradually returns. Internal stitches continue dissolving for up to three months, and mild asymmetry during this healing period is entirely normal. Full, settled results are typically visible at 12 to 18 months, with the neck continuing to refine throughout this period.
How long do neck lift results last?
How long do neck lift results last?
A well-performed neck lift produces long-lasting results. Most patients enjoy the benefits for ten years or more, though the natural ageing process continues after surgery. The longevity of results is influenced by the technique used; procedures that address the platysma muscle as well as the skin tend to last significantly longer than skin-only approaches.
Dr De Silva uses long-lasting internal sutures to support the lifted tissue during healing, and his use of tissue adhesive (ARTISS) reduces bruising and supports optimal wound healing. Maintaining a stable weight, protecting the skin from sun exposure, and a consistent skincare routine all contribute to preserving your results over time.
Am I a suitable candidate for a standalone neck lift?
Am I a suitable candidate for a standalone neck lift?
You may be a good candidate for a standalone neck lift if your primary concerns are in the neck and lower jaw area, including loose neck skin, visible muscle banding, excess fat beneath the chin, or loss of the natural neck angle, while your mid-face and upper face remain relatively well-defined.
Ideal candidates are in good general health, non-smokers or willing to stop smoking well in advance of surgery, and have realistic expectations about what the procedure can achieve. Age is less relevant than the condition of your skin and tissue. Dr De Silva sees patients across a wide range from their 30s to their 70s for neck lift surgery, with the approach tailored to each individual's anatomy and goals. The first step is a private consultation at 23 Harley Street, where Dr De Silva will assess your neck, discuss your concerns, and recommend the most appropriate approach - whether standalone or combined with a facelift.
Dr. Julian De Silva is a renowned facial cosmetic surgeon at Harley Street, London, specializing in facelift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty. Known for natural-looking results, he has treated top celebrities and uses advanced technology for fast recovery. Dr. De Silva is also a recognized author and educator in aesthetic surgery.