Botox on Platysma Bands Usually Successful in Younger Patients?

Dear Beach,

In posing the question, you have the right idea. BOTOX and also Dysport are effective at softening the bands. This can be a great option for a small neck cord. Treatment effect typically lasts for many months.

However, when the effect is not strong enough, surgery becomes a consideration. The neck cords that are modest but not sufficiently improved by BOTOX or Dysport can be amenable to an isolated platysmaplasty. This is a procedure done in the office under local anesthesia. The muscle cords are trimmed and then sew back together. This can also be combined with lower face and neck liposuction for results that can rival a facelift. For larger neck cords, a lower face and neck lift is the answer. This surgery continues to be the most powerful surgery for improving facial appearance.

This tends to work best in patients with hyperactive platysma muscles creating vertical bands regardless of age. Generally Botox is advised for patients under the age of 65. The "good or bad" idea of its use depends on how it is applied.