Neck Lift

Refine and Tighten Your Neck to Restore a Youthful Appearance in Chicago and Winnetka

FAQs

Facelift vs. Neck Lift: How Do They Compare?
What Are the Benefits of a Neck Lift?
Which Types of Neck Lifts Does Dr. John Q. Cook Perform?
How Long is the Recovery for a Neck Lift?

When it comes to anti-aging, attention is often centered on the face, while areas like the neck, chest, and hands are often overlooked — even though they tend to reveal signs of aging just as early, if not earlier. A firm, smooth neck complements the face and even enhances its features. For those who feel their upper face still appears youthful but notice that the neck area doesn’t match, a neck lift can offer rejuvenation without undergoing a full facelift. A neck lift in the Chicago area by distinguished, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. John Q.Cook at Whole Beauty® Institute, who is at the forefront of innovation in aesthetic surgery, can restore a younger-looking appearance. This procedure can enhance the appearance of the neck, jaw, and lower face.

Neck Lift Basics: What Causes Signs of Aging on the Neck?

Have you ever wondered – what happens to the neck as we age? With each passing decade, the neck—like the face—undergoes noticeable changes due to prolonged sun exposure, environmental factors, gravity, and the natural aging process. These changes often result in skin laxity and sagging around the jawline, neck, and upper chest (décolletage). This occurs as collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity, begin to break down. Interestingly, the neck is one of the earliest areas to exhibit signs of aging. Despite the attention many give to facial skincare, the neck is frequently neglected. With time, the muscles that help maintain a smooth neck contour can lose their tone, forming visible vertical bands from the jaw down to the collarbone. In addition, fat may build up under the skin in the neck area, further altering its appearance.

What Is a Neck Lift?

A neck lift, also known as a lower rhytidectomy, is a cosmetic surgical procedure designed to reduce visible signs of aging along the neck and jawline. This procedure, which is one of the lesser-known cosmetic surgeries, is designed to improve the appearance of the neck and jawline by tightening loose skin, removing excess fat, and restoring the underlying muscles for a more defined and youthful contour. Neck lift surgery effectively addresses common signs of aging such as sagging skin, muscle banding, a double chin, and loss of definition along the jaw. Depending on the patient’s needs, a neck lift can be performed on its own or in combination with other procedures, such as a facelift, for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

Facelift vs. Neck Lift: How Do They Compare?

What is the difference between a facelift and neck lift? Is a neck lift better than a facelift? Patients are often unsure if they should get one or the other.

Facelift

A facelift is a surgical procedure designed to address visible signs of aging in the mid-to-lower face and jawline. It typically targets sagging cheeks, deep nasolabial folds, jowls, and loss of skin elasticity. During surgery, excess skin is removed, underlying tissues are lifted, and facial contours are tightened for a more youthful appearance. A facelift does not usually address the neck unless combined with a neck lift.

Neck Lift

A neck lift focuses specifically on improving the appearance of the neck and the area under the jawline. It treats loose, sagging skin, vertical banding caused by muscle laxity, and excess fat beneath the chin. The procedure may involve tightening neck muscles (platysmaplasty), removing fat (liposuction), and excising excess skin. A neck lift is often performed alongside a facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation, but can also be done on its own.

What Are the Top Benefits of a Neck Lift?

Have you been wanting to know, “What is the best procedure to tighten loose skin on the neck?” “What does a neck lift help?” or “Is it worth getting a neck lift?” A neck lift at Whole Beauty® Institute, with the latest techniques for 2025, 2026, and beyond, offers improved definition and smoother contours by removing excess skin and fat from the neck area. It also involves repositioning and tightening the underlying neck muscles, helping to restore a more defined and youthful neckline. While a neck lift can be performed on its own, it is often combined with other procedures, like a facelift or fat transfer, for more comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

The following are some of the top benefits of a neck lift:

• Addresses excess fat, loose muscles, and sagging skin in one operation
• Reduces heavy wrinkles and creases
• Provides long-lasting and natural-looking results
• Any scars are minimal, discreetly placed, and fade over time
• Can be combined with a facelift for more comprehensive revitalization

The goal of the neck lift procedure will vary as it depends on the components that you and Dr. Cook have decided on. It can involve reducing excess skin beneath the chin area, tightening the platysma muscles, reducing unwanted fat that creates the appearance of a double chin, or a combination of all of the above.

Which Types of Neck Lifts Does Dr. John Q. Cook Perform?

When it comes to rejuvenating the neck and enhancing definition along the jawline, there are several surgical and minimally invasive options tailored to individual needs. The right type of neck lift depends on factors such as skin laxity, muscle tone, and the degree of structural change. “What is the best type of neck lift?” “What are the different types of neck lifts?” If these or similar questions have been on your mind, here’s what you should know about Dr. Cook’s neck lift techniques.

Why Choose Whole Beauty® Institute for a Neck Lift in the Chicago Area?

Dr. John Q. Cook’s innovative approaches to rejuvenation of the face and neck have established him as a recognized leader in the field. His naturalistic approach to facial aesthetic surgery is the product of years of study of the intricacies of facial form and motion. This knowledge base has allowed Dr. Cook to develop an extensive repertoire of techniques for face and neck lift at his Chicago-area practice, so that he can properly respond to each patient’s needs. In some cases, the patient’s goals may be met by procedures that can be accomplished under local anesthesia in the office. In other cases, more extensive neck lift surgery is required. Patients trust Dr. Cook to provide them with optimal individualized solutions that take into account each person’s aesthetic sensibility and time available for recovery.

Our attentiveness to your needs extends to the recovery process from neck lift surgery at our Chicago or Winnetka offices. Whether you are from the Chicago metropolitan area, outside the Chicago region, or from outside the United States, we will design a custom recovery program that will respect your taste and need for privacy. Our office and surgical facility are located within a few minutes of the leading hotels in Chicago, a city that beckons to an increasingly international clientele.

Meet John Q. Cook, M.D.

The Whole Beauty® Institute team is directed by Dr. John Q. Cook, a recognized leader in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Every team member has extensive experience and shares Dr. Cook’s passion for natural results. We form a bond of trust with our extended patient family.

What Are Some Alternatives or Complementary Options for a Neck Lift?

For patients seeking facial rejuvenation without surgery, several minimally invasive and non-surgical options can produce noticeable improvements. Treatments like FaceTite^®, which uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid production, can enhance jawline definition and create a more youthful appearance. Similarly, MyEllevate^® offers a minimally invasive solution for lifting and contouring the neck using light-guided technology. While the results are not as dramatic as surgical procedures, they offer a compelling alternative for those not ready for more invasive options. Neuromodulators such as BOTOX^®Cosmetic,Dysport^®, and Xeomin® reduce dynamic wrinkles, while injectable facial fillers help soften deeper lines and folds like nasolabial creases. Treatments like Erbium laser skin resurfacing, Morpheus8, HALO fractional laser, Sofwave™, and advanced chemical peels improve overall skin tone and texture, and can be used to complement or enhance the results of surgical procedures.

For more advanced signs of aging, cosmetic surgery remains the most effective solution. A facelift typically addresses mid-to-lower face concerns, while a neck lift targets laxity and sagging in the neck and jawline. To rejuvenate the upper face, procedures like blepharoplasty (for sagging eyelids) or a brow lift (to elevate a drooping forehead) may be more suitable. Each treatment—surgical or not— can be tailored to the patient’s needs and aesthetic goals.