Combatting the Pitfalls of Aging with a Baltimore Neck Lift
Loose skin, a softening jawline, blunted angle between the chin and neck, and visible neck bands can add years to your appearance. A neck lift provides refined, targeted rejuvenation, restoring a smoother neck and sharper jawline without appearing overdone. Many of Dr. Shermak’s patients prefer the subtle improvement that a neck lift without facelift provides.
At her Lutherville, Maryland, practice, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Michele Shermak helps patients restore balance and confidence with expert, personalized care. With decades of experience as a national leader in plastic surgery, Dr. Shermak brings thoughtful details and beautiful outcomes to every patient and procedure.
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A neck lift is designed to tighten sagging skin of the neck, re-establish the integrity of the neck muscles, remove excess fatty tissue in the neck, and improve the jawline.
The approach to a neck lift depends on the patient’s individual anatomy, but in general, incisions are strategically placed in the natural creases around the ear up to the sideburns, and under the chin. The objective is a refreshed, rejuvenated appearance that looks effortlessly beautiful and natural. The goal is not to change how you look, but to restore definition and youthfulness in a way that aligns with your features and lifestyle.
Neck lift surgery is performed under general anesthesia at Dr. Shermak’s fully accredited outpatient facility. After marking key anatomical areas, small incisions are made around the ears and, when needed, beneath the chin. The platysma muscles are tightened, excess skin is removed, and liposuction and direct fat excision may be used to contour under the chin and jawline.
The result is a smoother, firmer neck with improved angles and proportions, often restoring years of youthful definition. Some patients actually look lighter, too.
A neck lift is ideal for treating:
The neck lift procedure offers highly targeted results that can elevate your entire appearance. Benefits include:
Good candidates for a neck lift are men and women between 30 and 80 years of age who are in good physical and psychological health with a poorly defined neck and jawline. A neck lift helps rejuvenate patients who exhibit signs of aging or individuals who have undergone significant weight loss.
This procedure can be combined with a full facelift, brow lift, blepharoplasty, facial fat grafting, or chin implant to achieve a more balanced appearance throughout the face and neck. During the initial consultation, you will discuss with Dr. Shermak what you would like to improve so she can understand your expectations and determine how to best achieve your desired results.
Surgery is performed on an outpatient basis, with neck lift patients returning home the same day. You may experience temporary swelling, numbness, and bruising that respond well to head elevation, compressive wrapping, ice packs, and Arnica Montana herbal supplementation.
You will be seen in the office within 1 to 3 days to have dressings removed. Sutures are removed after one week. Makeup may be applied 2 weeks after surgery. Most clients resume regular activities and return to work within 1-2 weeks, and swelling may take up to a month to resolve.
Initial improvements are visible as soon as swelling subsides, typically within two weeks.
Final results refine over several months and can last 8–10 years or longer, depending on your lifestyle, skin quality, and ongoing care. Dr. Shermak’s technique ensures your results never look pulled or unnatural—just a smoother, firmer neck and better overall facial balance.
Dr. Shermak has helped many Baltimore neck lift patients achieve a more youthful, lean-looking profile, bolstering their self-confidence in the process.
We invite you to call Dr. Shermak’s Baltimore plastic surgery office at 410-324-6592 to schedule your personal consultation today. You can also learn more about the kind of results to expect by visiting our online library of before-and-after photography of patients who have kindly shared their results.
Dr. Michele Shermak is board-certified and nationally recognized for her leadership in plastic surgery. As a member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery and chair of patient education for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), she brings unparalleled knowledge, attention to detail, and warmth to every consultation. Patients across Baltimore, the Mid-Atlantic, and the country trust Dr. Shermak for neck rejuvenation because she listens, plans with precision, and creates results that feel authentically yours.
Many of Dr. Shermak’s patients are 50 years or older; however, neck lift surgery is performed in patients even in their 20’s and 30’s if they have a disproportionately full neck or have sustained significant weight loss resulting in advanced aging.
The starting cost for a neck lift is $9400. Final costs depend on the complexity of the procedure and whether it’s combined with other facial surgeries or surgery on other body regions.
They are related but not identical. A neck lift focuses solely on the neck and jawline, while a lower facelift may include the lower cheeks as well.
Most results last 8–10 years, depending on your skin quality, age, and overall health.
Dr. Shermak places incisions in natural creases around the ears and sometimes under the chin. With time, these lines typically fade and are very discreet.
Most patients feel ready to return to non-strenuous activities within 1 to 2 weeks of surgery.
