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• Lower Face Rejuvenation: Should You Get a Facelift, a Neck Lift, or Both?

Lower face rejuvenation at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery can be tailored with a facelift, a neck lift, or a combination, depending on whether you want to refine your jawline, smooth your neck, or rejuvenate both areas together for a seamless result.

At Shumway Cosmetic Surgery in La Jolla, board‑certified facial plastic and cosmetic surgeon Dr. Robert A. Shumway customizes every surgical plan to your anatomy, goals, and lifestyle. He evaluates your facial structure, skin quality, and neck contour to recommend whether a facelift, a neck lift, or a combined approach will best rejuvenate the lower third of your face.

What Does a Facelift Do for the Lower Face?

A facelift lifts and tightens sagging facial tissues, especially in the middle and lower face. The procedure goes into deeper facial layers to reposition structures and remove excess skin, helping you look younger while still looking like yourself. A lower facelift typically improves:

• Jowls along the jawline
• Deep creases around the mouth (marionette lines)
• Sagging cheeks and lower mid‑face descent
• Mild to moderate neck laxity related to facial sagging

At Shumway Cosmetic Surgery, Dr. Shumway employs facelift techniques chosen to create natural‑looking results rather than a “pulled” appearance. By lifting the underlying tissues as well as tightening the skin, a facelift can restore a crisper jawline and softer folds while preserving your unique facial character.

What Does a Neck Lift Improve Under the Chin and Jawline?

A neck lift focuses specifically on the neck and area under the chin where sagging skin and excess fullness can blur your profile. This procedure refines the transition from face to neck and can dramatically improve how youthful and slender your lower face appears. A neck lift is ideal for concerns such as:

• Loose, crepey neck skin
• A “turkey wattle” or banding in the neck
• Fullness or a “double chin” that doesn’t match your weight
• Poorly defined jawline caused by neck laxity

During a neck lift, Dr. Shumway removes and repositions excess skin and fat and tightens underlying muscles to create a smoother, more defined neck and jawline. He can also combine a neck lift with facelift for a more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Should You Choose a Facelift, a Neck Lift, or Both?

The best option depends on where aging is most visible, how dramatic you want your results to be, and whether you wish to address every concern with one surgery and subsequent recovery. You may benefit most from a facelift alone if:

• Your main concerns are jowls, sagging cheeks, or deep facial folds
• Your neck still looks relatively smooth and firm
• You want a more youthful lower face without additional neck surgery

You may benefit most from a neck lift alone if:

• Your neck looks older than your face
• You struggle with a double chin or prominent neck bands
• Your facial skin is in good shape, but your neckline makes you look heavier or older

You may benefit from combining a lower facelift and neck lift if:

• You have visible sagging from the mid‑face through the neck
• You want a seamless rejuvenation from cheek to collarbone
• You prefer one comprehensive procedure and recovery rather than staging multiple surgeries

Many patients who combine both procedures appreciate the ability to rejuvenate the jawline and neck together for a more balanced, all‑around improvement in photographs and real life.

What Can You Expect From Surgery and Recovery?

Dr. Shumway performs facelift and neck lift procedures on an outpatient basis, so you go home the same day in the care of a trusted adult. Surgery time varies based on whether you have a facelift, a neck lift, or both together. In the first days after surgery, it is normal to experience swelling and bruising for a week or two. Expect tightness along the neck, jawline, and cheeks. You may also experience change in sensation around the incisions. You will receive detailed post‑operative instructions about incision care, sleeping position, medications, and activity restrictions, along with scheduled follow‑up visits so Dr. Shumway can monitor your healing. Most people feel ready to return to social activities within a few weeks, with results continuing to refine as swelling fades. While no surgery can stop the aging process, lifting deeper tissues and removing excess skin can “turn back the clock” so you look refreshed and more youthful for many years.

How Can You Enhance and Maintain Your Results?

Dr. Shumway may recommend complementary facial procedures to help your results look harmonious and natural. Depending on your concerns, these might include:

• Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) to open and refresh the eye area
• Brow lift to address a heavy or drooping forehead
• Chin augmentation to sharpen the profile and balance the jawline
• Nonsurgical treatments to improve skin tone and texture

To support and maintain your results, it helps to protect your skin from the sun by using daily SPF and wearing large brim hats to shield the sun. Also, follow a consistent, medical‑grade skincare routine and schedule periodic maintenance as recommended. The goal at Shumway Cosmetic Surgery is not just tighter skin, but a balanced, age‑appropriate rejuvenation that keeps your features in harmony while restoring a more youthful, confident version of you. If you are ready to explore whether a facelift, a neck lift, or both are right for your lower face rejuvenation, you can learn more by scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Robert Shumway in La Jolla and San Diego, CA.