Restore a cleaner, crisper chin, jaw, and neckline with a Natural Neck Lift. David T. Morwood, MD, FACS, uses a custom-designed neck rejuvenation approach to treat loose skin, excess fat, platysmal bands, and a poorly defined cervicomental angle, helping you improve your neck while preserving the natural character of your face.
Before & After Natural Neck Lift
*Actual Patient Disclaimer: there is no guarantee of specific results and the results can vary.
In Dr. Morwood's Words:
A neck lift is typically combined with a facelift, or each component can be done separately – each individual is best served by a custom designed approach.
David T. Morwood, MD, FACS
The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
This Procedure Treats:
- Mild to moderate neck laxity and loss of contour
- Early jowling and blurring of the jawline
- Excess skin and soft tissue along the neck
- Submental fullness that softens the cervicomental angle
- Early signs of vertical neck banding
Restore a Cleaner, Crisper
Neck Contour
The Natural Neck Lift is a system of careful analysis evaluating your appearance, anatomy, and goals, enabling a custom-designed approach to neck rejuvenation. Dr. Morwood proceeds layer by layer, examining the skin, subcutaneous fat, fascia, platysma muscle, and deeper structures. Based on this, he selects appropriate techniques to address loose skin, excess fat, muscle laxity, and volume changes. The goal is to create a crisper cervical mental angle (jaw-neck angle) and a more defined chin, jaw, and neckline.
Natural Neck Lift Treats:
- Loose, sagging skin in the neck
- Excess submental and cervical fat
- Poorly defined chin and jawline
- Platysmal bands and cords under the chin
- An obtuse cervicomental angle between the jaw and neck
- Descended soft tissues and heaviness in the neck
- An imbalance between the face and neck
- Fullness beneath the jaw and chin
Techniques Commonly Included in a Natural Neck
Lift by Dr. Morwood
Micro Liposculpture
of the Neck
Micro liposculpture is used to remove excess fat from the submental and cervical areas when skin quality and muscle support are adequate. Dr. Morwood makes small access incisions, one in the submental crease and one near each earlobe, to introduce a cannula. Through careful crosshatching and contouring techniques, fat is removed while shaping the soft tissues. This technique helps create a cleaner, smoother, and more defined chin, jaw, and neckline.
Platysmaplasty for Muscle Laxity
When the platysma muscle becomes loose and forms visible bands or cords, a platysmaplasty is performed to restore support. Dr. Morwood accesses the muscle through a submental incision and, when needed, additional incisions behind the ears. The muscle is tightened, repositioned, or reapproximated to create a supportive sling or “hammock.” This improves the cervical mental angle and produces a firmer, more youthful contour of the neck and jawline.
Direct Skin Excision and Redraping
For patients with significant loose or redundant skin, direct excision may be used to remove excess tissue and improve contour. An incision is typically made in the submental area, allowing Dr. Morwood to remove and re-drape the skin for better support and positioning. This technique directly addresses skin laxity and can produce a smoother, firmer-looking neck, though it may result in a visible but strategically placed scar under the chin.
Volumetric Repositioning of Soft Tissues
As part of a custom-designed approach, descended soft tissues may be elevated and repositioned to restore balance between the face and neck. Through carefully placed incisions, Dr. Morwood repositions volume that has shifted downward with aging back to a more youthful location. This technique helps reduce heaviness in the neck while enhancing facial harmony, contributing to a more natural, refreshed appearance without altering the face.
Videos
Natural Neck Lift: Educational Presentation
The Doctor Is In: The Natural Neck Lift
What is the Cervicomental Angle, and Why is It Important?
The cervicomental angle is the angle formed between the underside of your jaw and the front of your neck. A more acute angle creates a cleaner, crisper, and more youthful appearance. When that angle becomes obtuse or rounded, the neck appears heavier and less defined. Many techniques in a Natural Neck Lift are structured to improve and refine this angle.
Natural Neck Lift FAQs
What Causes the Neck to Look Heavy or Aged?
As you mature, several changes occur layer by layer. The skin loses resilience and support, the fascia weakens, and the platysma muscle becomes loose, creating visible bands or cords. At the same time, facial soft tissues may descend into the neck. These changes can create a heavier neck, obscure the jawline, and produce a less defined cervicomental angle.
Can I Improve My Neck Without Changing My Face?
Yes. Many patients come in saying, “I like my face, but this neck needs help. ”The Natural Neck Lift is specifically designed for that concern. Dr. Morwood focuses on your neck, improving loose skin, excess fat, and platysma muscle laxity, without changing your face. By carefully analyzing your anatomy and goals, a custom-designed neck rejuvenation plan can improve areas that need it while preserving the natural character and expression of your face.
Can Non-surgical Treatments Improve My Neck?
In selected cases, minimally invasive treatments may offer some improvement. For example, Botox can help relax platysmal bands, and injectable treatments such as Kybella may reduce small pockets of fat. However, these treatments have limitations and require repeat sessions. When structural issues such as loose skin, muscle laxity, or deeper volume changes are present, a surgical approach is typically more effective and predictable.
How Does Dr. Morwood Decide Which Techniques to Use?
The decision is based on a careful analysis of your anatomy and your goals. Dr. Morwood evaluates the skin, fat, fascia, muscle, and deeper structures, as well as the chin and jaw. He then matches the right procedure with the right patient for the right indication at the proper time in your life. This individualized approach is the foundation of the Natural Neck Lift.
Have More Questions?
Learn More About Natural Neck Lift in The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer
If you want a deeper understanding of neck rejuvenation, Dr. Morwood’s book, The Truth About Plastic Surgery: An Educational Guide for the Consumer, provides detailed insight in his own words. You’ll learn about the cervicomental angle, platysma muscle, micro liposculpture, and the importance of a custom-designed plan, helping you better understand your options and how to achieve a cleaner, crisper outcome.
Client Testimonials
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Rejuvenate Your Neck Profile With Natural Neck Lift in Monterey
Dr. David Morwood is a board-certified surgeon with over 34 years of experience in facial, neck, and eye surgery. During your consultation, you will sit together, review your concerns in a mirror, analyze photographs, and develop a custom-designed approach based on your anatomy. This is a thoughtful process focused on achieving natural results. Schedule your private consultation to explore the Natural Neck Lift in Monterey and take the next step toward a crisper neckline.
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