A layered approach to neck lift

Abstract

Neck aesthetics are a vital and indispensable component of cervicofacial beauty. Cosmetic deformities may be due to congenital or acquired etiologies and successful management depends on accurately diagnosing the underlying anatomical problems and applying the appropriate surgical and non-surgical procedures to achieve the desired result. For clinical evaluation and treatment, neck anatomy may be conceptualized into three layers wherein the superficial layer consists of the skin and subcutaneous fat, the intermediate layer of platysma muscle and interplatysmal fat, and the deep layer of subplatysmal fat, digastric muscles, submandibular glands, and skeletal support structures. The goal of this article is to review neck aesthetics, cosmetic deformities, and indications for different treatment techniques by way of a systematic layered approach.