Botox for relaxing neck bands?

Neck bands develop as we age. There is a thin layer of muscle called the Platysma.  The sole function of that muscle is to maintain contour of the neck by sharpening the neck angle below the chin. There is a strip of this muscle on either side of the front of your neck. As we age, the muscle loosens... more

I routinely use Botox to treat platysmal neck bands.  I usually start with 40 to 60 units and dilute this in twice the normal amount of saline to provide uniform coverage.  It is safe and effective and cost much less than a traditional neck lift or platysmaplasty.

Dear Iksugarman, Neck cords are caused by laxity of the platysma muscle at the angle of the neck and laxity of skin. Botox can improve the appearance of these cords by relaxing the muscles bands that are producing the cords. Be aware that this treatment can use up a good amount of Botox (25 to 50 units)... more

Treating platysmal bands (neck bands that run down from chin to chest) with Botox is a great way to improve the neck angle without surgery. It is subtle, but pleasing, and has a very low risk profile if done by an experienced board certified dermatologist. Since price and degree of improvement needed varies,... more

Botox relaxes muscles; it can not tighten loose muscle. Although Botox has been proposed for neck bands, the efficacy is rather limited. If the neck muscle (a.k.a. platysma muscle) is loose under the chin, leading to platysmal banding, a necklift including platysmaplasty will be the most effective treatment.... more

To lksugarman, Hi.  Commonly, neck bands are caused by the platysma muscle.  Relaxing this muscle with Botox can really clean up the neck. This is totally safe if injected properly (superficially).  It is more expensive than Botox in other areas (frown lines, for example) because the platysma is... more

LK, Botox can indeed be used to soften neck bands as an off label use. I have found it to be very effective and safe. The cost depends on the size and extent of the bands. The alternative, surgical correction is, of course, more invasive, more costly, and requires a recovery. Good luck!

This may be very effecitve for you. It should be low risk, and not that expensive. The down side is that it is temporary. Also, it will not tighten skin, and it will not address any fat pads that may be present.

Botox Cosmetic works great for vertical neck bands. If you tighten up your neck and see vertical neck bands (bands running up and down like columns) then Botox will likely be very effective for you. However, Botox is not effective for the horizonal neck creases - this usually requires a neck lift. Neck... more

Greetings, As the other physicians have pointed out, Botox cosmetic does work for neck bands, but this is an off label use. What was not mentioned is that injection in the neck can lead to difficulty swallowing necessitating a feeding tube if injected improperly or there is migration of the injection. If you... more