Platysmaplasty can be performed alone or with additional facial surgery

Michael Law, MD answers: Treatment for neck bands when Botox and neck lift aren't options?

I am 39 and have decent skin tone and texture but hereditary Platysmal banding...no smoking at all and a positive history of sun exposure but no sun in the last 5 years (religious use of sunscreen in 7 years).

I have had several consults with surgeons (board certified plastic and facial plastic) regarding my neck. I have platysmal bands that go down from chin to my scapular bone and have had Botox 3 times in this area with no result and Total FX (conservatively done).

No improvement with Botox with three attempts by two surgeons (despite their incredible credentials). The two surgeons also didn't consider me a face lift/neck lift candidate and don't do isolated neck lifts in their practices due to inconsistency of results....therefore they won't work on me because I'm not a face lift candidate.

Can someone suggest another option for my platysmal bands besides a neck lift or Botox?


Michael Law, MD
11 months ago

Immediately under the skin of the neck is the platysma muscle, which you can easily see in a mirror when you clench your teeth and tighten your jaw. In youth, this paired muscle meets in the midline below the chin. With age, the right and left sides of the platysma often separate, producing vertical 'cords' in the anterior neck.

The platysma can be divided anteriorly and tightened during neck lift cosmetic surgery to permanently eliminate these 'cords' and improve the neck contour. One tightened in the midline below the chin, lateral traction on the platysma then creates a 'sling' which elevates the soft tissues below the jawline.

No two facial rejuvenation procedures are ever exactly the same because no two patients are exactly the same. Find an experienced plastic surgeon with expertise in neck rejuvenation, he or she will design a plan with you to help you achieve the results you desire.

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