Neck Contouring
A neck lift removes excess skin and fat around the jawline and adjusts the tissue underneath, leaving a smoother neck and a cleaner profile. Dr. Mafi chooses the technique from your skin, your anatomy, and your goals. It cannot stop the aging process, but the improvement it makes is long-lasting.
Book a consultationWhat is
Neck Contouring?
Neck contouring, also called a neck lift or neck rejuvenation, removes excess skin and fat around the jawline to create a smoother, more youthful neck and profile. It addresses sagging skin, sometimes described as a “turkey neck,” fullness beneath the chin, and the muscle banding that shows as visible cords.
There is no single neck lift. Dr. Mafi will recommend the approach that best fits your needs and goals, based on your skin's elasticity, how much fat you have under your chin, and how much loose skin you have. For younger patients with good skin elasticity and a small amount of excess fat, liposuction alone may be enough. If you have more loose skin, a neck lift can tighten the skin and the tissues underneath through small, discreet incisions behind the ears and under the chin, creating a smoother, more defined neck and jawline.
An anterior neck lift is performed through a small incision beneath the chin to tighten and reposition the tissues in the neck, followed by gently smoothing the skin for a natural, refined appearance. When there is a significant amount of loose skin, a Z-plasty can be used to remove and reposition the excess skin while creating a smoother, more defined neck contour. The incision is carefully placed to help minimize its visibility.
An extended neck lift is performed along with a facelift when the goal is to rejuvenate the face and neck together. Small incisions beneath the chin, around the ears, and along the hairline allow Dr. Mafi to tighten and reposition the tissues beneath the skin while removing excess skin. Combining the two procedures can create a smoother, more balanced, and natural-looking transition from the face to the jawline and neck.
Swelling and bruising are common after surgery and gradually improve over the following weeks. You will be instructed to keep your head elevated, avoid excessive bending or turning of your neck, and may be asked to wear a compression garment to help reduce swelling and support healing.
A neck lift cannot stop the aging process, but the improvement it makes is long-lasting.
Liposuction, an anterior neck lift, an extended neck lift with a facelift, or a Z-plasty. The approach is chosen for your anatomy and your goals rather than picked off a menu.
Fullness under the chin is only part of the picture. The tissues underneath are adjusted and the skin repositioned, which is what addresses banding and loose skin.
The extended technique is performed alongside a facelift, which is why many patients plan the neck and the lower face together rather than months apart.
A neck lift does not stop aging. What it does is reset the line between jaw and neck, and that improvement holds for years.
Am I a candidate for neck contouring?
Sagging skin, fullness under the chin, and visible cords, addressed together.
The right technique is chosen after an in-person evaluation. Neck contouring may help if you have:
Sagging Neck Skin
Loose skin below the jaw, often described as a “turkey neck.”
Fullness Under the Chin
Excess fat beneath the chin and along the jawline.
Visible Neck Cords
Muscle banding that stands out along the front of the neck.
A Blurred Jawline
A profile that has lost the clean line between jaw and neck.
Good Skin Elasticity
Firm skin with localized fat, where liposuction alone may be enough.
Planning a Facelift
Neck rejuvenation combined with facial surgery in one stage.
A jawline,redrawn.
The case below is one patient of Dr. Mafi, photographed from three angles before surgery and after healing. Drag the seam to compare. The jawline and the line beneath the chin are where the change shows first.
See the full galleryIndividual results vary. These are patients of Dr. Mafi, photographed at Mafi Plastic Surgery, and published with their permission. They are not a guarantee of your own outcome.
Common questions about neck contouring
The cost depends on the technique that is right for you, how much treatment is needed, and whether the neck is treated on its own or combined with another procedure. Because every treatment plan is different, you will receive a personalized quote at your consultation rather than a general price range online. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by insurance. We offer financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi, which allow you to spread the cost into monthly payments. Our team is happy to help you with the application process and answer any questions you may have. Call (559) 890-6500 for more information.
How much does neck contouring cost, and can I pay over time?
The cost depends on the technique that is right for you, how much treatment is needed, and whether the neck is treated on its own or combined with another procedure. Because every treatment plan is different, you will receive a personalized quote at your consultation rather than a general price range online. Cosmetic surgery is generally not covered by insurance. We offer financing options through CareCredit, Cherry, and PatientFi, which allow you to spread the cost into monthly payments. Our team is happy to help you with the application process and answer any questions you may have. Call (559) 890-6500 for more information.
A Smoother Neck,
A Cleaner Profile
If loose skin or fullness under the chin is the thing you notice first, ask Dr. Mafi what neck contouring would involve for you.
Prefer to talk? Call (559) 890-6500.
Medically reviewed by Parham Mafi, M.D., F.A.C.S., board-certified plastic surgeon at Mafi Plastic Surgery. This page is for education and is not a substitute for a personalized medical consultation.
Last medically reviewed August 2026Updated