Key Takeaways
- MyEllevate uses a permanent, FDA-cleared suture system to lift the neck and jawline without surgical incisions.
- Dr. Jeff Birchall at Dermacare offers the treatment as an option for patients who want more than skincare but aren't ready for surgery.
- The procedure takes about an hour under local anesthesia, and most patients return to normal activities within a few days.
- Results commonly last five years or longer, though individual outcomes vary with skin quality and lifestyle.
- MyEllevate suits mild to moderate neck and jawline laxity, while significant loose skin usually calls for a surgical neck lift.
You’ve probably noticed it before anyone else did. The jawline that once looked sharp in photos has started to soften, and the skin under your chin doesn’t bounce back the way it used to. At Dermacare Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Jeff Birchall, who has practiced aesthetic medicine in San Diego for more than twenty-five years, hears this concern often from patients who aren’t ready for a surgical neck lift but want more than skincare alone can offer.
MyEllevate in San Diego has become one of the more requested answers to that in-between stage. If you’ve come across the name and aren’t sure what it actually involves, review our guide to what the procedure is, how it works, and whether it fits your goals.
What Is MyEllevate?
MyEllevate is a minimally invasive, FDA-cleared procedure that uses a permanent suture system to lift and support the neck and jawline without incisions or skin removal.
The treatment relies on the ICLED Surgical Suture System, a light-guided device that allows a continuous suture to be placed beneath the skin with precision. A fiber-optic rod illuminates the tissue as it travels, tracking the depth and direction of the suture during placement. The suture itself is permanent rather than dissolvable, which sets MyEllevate apart from thread lifts that rely on absorbable material.
The suture supports the tissue from underneath, working much like scaffolding for the jawline. This kind of structural support fills a real gap for patients who want a lifted, defined neck and jawline without going under the knife.
What is the MyEllevate Procedure Like?
The MyEllevate procedure takes about an hour and is performed in-office under local anesthesia.
-
1
Marking the area: The jawline and the area beneath the chin are marked to guide suture placement.
-
2
Placing the suture: Small punctures, not incisions, allow the light-guided suture rod to travel beneath the skin.
-
3
Tightening and securing: Once the suture's path and depth are confirmed, it's tightened to lift the underlying tissue and secured in place.
-
4
Closing up: Since the process uses punctures rather than open incisions, there's no suturing of the skin itself and no visible scarring to manage afterward.
Local anesthesia keeps the procedure comfortable, with light sedation available for patients who prefer it.
Who Is a Good Candidate for MyEllevate?
Good candidates typically have mild to moderate laxity in the neck or jawline, along with skin that still has some elasticity to work with. Most patients fall in their 30s through 60s, though age alone doesn’t determine candidacy. Muscle banding along the neck, often called platysmal bands, responds particularly well to the suture’s lifting effect.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for MyEllevate?
MyEllevate typically isn’t recommended for patients with significant excess skin, pronounced sagging, or a heavier “turkey neck” appearance. The reason for this is that these types of patients usually see better, longer-lasting results from a surgical neck lift, which removes excess skin rather than just supporting what’s already there.
During a consultation, a doctor will examine your skin quality and the extent of laxity before recommending a path forward.
What to Expect During MyEllevate Recovery
Recovery from MyEllevate is closer to a non-surgical treatment than a surgical one. Most patients return to normal activities within a few days, with some mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness along the treated area during that time.
Since there’s no general anesthesia and no large incisions, there’s little of the downtime associated with a traditional facelift or neck lift. You can expect to see an initial improvement right away, with the final contour settling in over the following weeks as any swelling resolves.
MyEllevate vs. Neck Lift, Thread Lift, and Other Options
Dermacare offers several ways to address neck and jawline laxity, and each one solves a slightly different problem. Knowing what separates them makes it easier to figure out which conversation to have with your doctor:
MyEllevate vs. a Surgical Neck Lift
A surgical neck lift removes excess skin and tightens muscle through incisions, making it the better option for significant sagging. MyEllevate skips incisions and skin removal, trading some dramatic correction for a much shorter recovery.
MyEllevate vs. Silhouette InstaLift
Both treatments use sutures placed beneath the skin, but Silhouette InstaLift relies on dissolvable material that the body absorbs over several months, with results generally lasting around one to two years. MyEllevate’s suture is permanent, which is part of why its results tend to hold longer.
MyEllevate vs. Precision Tx™ Neck Lift
Precision Tx™ Neck Lift uses laser energy to melt stubborn fat beneath the chin and stimulate collagen production, making it a better match for patients whose main concern is fullness rather than muscle laxity. MyEllevate addresses the supporting structure instead, so some patients benefit from combining the two.
Common Questions About MyEllevate
How long does MyEllevate last?
Results commonly last five years or longer, though outcomes vary from patient to patient.
This figure comes from data reported by the treatment’s manufacturer, and actual results depend on skin quality, age, and habits like sun exposure.
How much does MyEllevate cost?
Cost varies based on how much correction you need and whether MyEllevate is combined with other treatments.
There’s no single price that fits every patient, since the right treatment plan depends on the extent of laxity and your specific goals. Dermacare works with a range of budgets and accepts financing options including CareCredit®. A consultation is the most accurate way to get a price that reflects your actual treatment plan.
Is MyEllevate worth it?
Whether MyEllevate is worth it depends on your goals, anatomy, and how much correction you’re hoping to see.
Patients with mild to moderate laxity tend to be happiest with their results, while those with more significant sagging often get better value from a surgical neck lift. A consultation is the best way to know which category fits you.
Ready to Define Your Jawline Without Surgery? Receive a MyEllevate Consultation at Dermacare San Diego
If you’re interested in receiving a neck lift in San Diego, MyEllevate is worth discussing with Dr. Birchall at Dermacare. He’ll walk you through whether your skin and muscle laxity make you a good candidate, and if MyEllevate isn’t the right match, he can point you toward an option that is.
Learn more about Dermacare’s non-surgical facelift options, and schedule a consultation to find out which approach fits your goals.