Can Botox be used to slim the neck?

Question

I notice that naturally slim people have slender neck and rib cage. Now I reckon that the rib cage is impossible to change, but can something be done to the neck? Perhaps using Botox to slim the neck muscle the same way it does to the masseter muscle?

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

I have been injecting Botox for aesthetic purposes for about twenty-five years. During that time I have never heard of its use for slimming the neck in the way we have been using it for the past decade to taper thick masseter muscles. We have, however, used it for many years to treat ropey cords in the neck, to tighten a saggy jawline, and for restoring the sharp chin/neck angle characteristic of youth--a technique that has come be known as the "Nefertiti Lift," named for the stepmother of King Tut who whose bust stands in the Berlin Museum and whose chiseled profile is considered an ideal of beauty. This technique involves treating the long, thin platysma muscle that sweeps like a sheet from the chest to above the mandible. It does not involve the thick muscles of the neck arising from the back. The latter should not be treated with Botox as this might lead to instability in the region. You would do well to discuss your desires with a board certified aesthetic physician. Best of luck.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

​A combination of non-surgical options like Kybella, PDO NovaThreads, Ultherapy and Thermage would do well in combination for skin tightening for the neck. VASER Liposuction (with ThermiRF, Renuvion and InMode FaceTite) is a great alternative for contouring and tightening the chin and neck and can be combined with a neck lift at the same time, if you're a candidate. I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to develop a long-term treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer.​

Martin Jugenburg, MD · Answer

Botox cannot be used to slim the neck.  You can use botox in the platysmal bands to create a more chiseled jaw line but will not have a slimming effect.

Thomas Trevisani, MD · Answer

Without photos and the benefit pf physical exam- it is a challenge to give the best answer. If you have sagging skin and muscle- there is no better way to reduce or eliminate it- than a full neck lift. There is no substitute.

Ian MacArthur, MD, FRCSC · Answer

Thanks for your question. While you are correct that Botox can reduce the size of the masseter muscles which serve to slim the lower face, it is unfortunately not possible to slim the neck. Botox is sometimes used to reduce platysmal bands in the neck (the vertical cords that are present in some people) but is not able to reduce the overall width of the neck. The most powerful way to improve the aesthetic appearance of the neck is with a (surgical) face and neck left.

Shaun Patel, MD · Answer

Botox cannot be used to slim the neck. The aging neck is a cosmetic concern for many patients of mine and I do commonly use Botox to address platysmal bands and to sharpen the jawline (Nefertiti lift). It can, as you mentioned, be used to slim the lower face in patients with masseteric hypertrophy but again, no slimming of the neck. Kybella and CoolMini can be used to address fat in the submental region if that is a concern to you and energy based devices can also be used to improve the quality of the neck skin and increase collagen.

Martie Gidon, MD, FRCPC, FAAD · Answer

Botox does not slim the neck.  It can soften neck bands and necklace lines to smooth the neck and firm the jawline.

Alex Eshaghian, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question HarryWash. Botox
is a purified protein used to address wrinkles associated with facial
expressions. To address fullness in the neck treatments such as Kybella, Ultherapy, and SkinTyte can be used as Botox will not slim the neck. Botox can be placed in the masseter muscle to decrease the size of the muscle, but there is no corresponding muscle in the neck. Please consult with a doctor for specific
recommendations.  Good luck!

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

The aging neck is of concern to many patients.  There are non-surgical ways to tighten the neck such as Thermage and BBL, Botox, and filers.  If there is fat under the chin then Kybella and Coolsculpting work extremely well.  Please consult an expert.  Best, Dr. Green

William Marshall Guy, MD · Answer

Hello HarryWash,Botox cannot be used to slim the neck.  As you mentioned, it can help slim the face in patients who have a prominent masseter muscle.  In the neck the muscles that support your head make up the bulk of the size (called the trapezius and sternocleidomastoid).  It would take large doses to immobilize these muscles which would increase the risk of spread affecting other important nerves in the area, and once you reached the result you couldn't support your head.  Now if there is excess skin or fat causing your thicker neck, there are surgical and non surgical options you may want to look into.I'd recommend you consult with a facial plastic surgeon to learn about these other options.I hope this helps and good luck.

Can Botox be used to slim the neck?

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