Botox and Potential Dangers of Platysmal Band Injections?

Question

I'm a 45 year old woman considering botox for platysmal bands but very concerned about swallowing/breathing difficulties reported. However unlikely. I have googled any number of key words, but not been able to find what kind of dosage level the people had who had trouble? And would it be a sensible strategy to have the dosage in two batches - say 20 units one week with another20 the next? To establish that placement of the 1st ok and neither dosage of itself big enough to paralyse esophagus?

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Typically platsyma bands benefit from 20 to 60 units of BOTOX.  My typically platysma band treatment is in the 20 unit range.  Diffusion of BOTOX is not the issue here.  Like any BOTOX service, a small percentage of sensitive patients can have a systemic effect from BOTOX treatment performed for platysma bands.  In my practice, the incidence of this sensitivity is about one case in 2500 treatments for a total treatment dose of 33 units of BOTOX.  That incidence is an estimate but it gives you an idea that it is rare but does occur.  With increasing dose, the incidence of systemic side effects that are well described elsewhere increases.  It is my opinion that botulinum toxin A sensitivity that results in the sensation of difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, anxiety, etc is an absolute contraindication for having future cosmetic botulinum toxin treatments.  When botulinum treatment is performed for medical reasons, patients and their doctors need to individualize the response to these types of side effects in deciding if future botulinum toxin A treatment is worth the side effect.

	It is reasonable to try a lower dose if you are concerned about this issue.  You might also discover that you can get a treatment result with less BOTOX and save yourself some money.

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hi Kap1,Thanks for your question. Botox is just like anything else. It always carries a risk just like driving in a car. It rare but it does happen. Neck bands or platysmal bands vary from patient to patient. The risk is about the same whether you do half a neck or not as the amount does not vary side by side but by the amount or number of bands. Usually is 1-2 units per 2cms and it depends on how long the band actually is. You can always under treat and return for more to minimize your risks. Seek a qualified botox specialist that is comfortable with neck anatomy! Good Luck,All the best,Carlos Mata MD, MBA, FACSBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Botox can be a very safe and effective way
 in helping to soften the appearance of neck bands by relaxing the 
muscles.  I would recommend visiting with a  board certified plastic 
surgeon or dermatologist in your area to address your concern as it is 
an advanced area to treat.  And in addition, there may be alternatives 
that can be used as a standalone or in conjunction with Botox to provide
 an even more effective treatment.Splitting the treatment as you suggested would be a very reasonable strategy.

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Your question makes good scientific sense, but the toxicity has not been studied so well as to provide us answers to give you. If there were a very high number of units needed (that should not be the case) then you could consider to have one side done and a week later to do the other so that the number of units is limited per session, but this is just not done on a practical basis. Most patients will see board certified dermatologists or plastic surgeons and have average number of units injected. It may not be the total amount of units that was the cause for the few reported cases of complications, but possibly inadvertent entry of Botox into a blood vessel. In order to minimize complications, only 2 units are injected per site and the sites are spread apart to allow for diffusion from each injection.

David Shafer, MD, FACS · Answer

Please make sure that you are being injected by a board certified and qualified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in Botox injections.  Doses vary from patient to patient and desired treatment effect, so without seeing  you in person, it is impossible to give you an absolute number of units.  However Botox treatment of platysmal bands can be very safe and effective.

	 

	Good Luck.

Channing R. Barnett, MD · Answer

The most important advice I can give you is that you consult with and get treated by a board-certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon. As mentioned by other physicians in their answers, it is impossible to answer your question regarding dosages and units without evaluating you in person. Dosages very from patient to patient depending on the location, nature of the areas involved, and the desired outcomes. We do a lot of botox to the platysmal bands in our practice with great success. In the hands of a well-trained, board-certified dermatologist or facial plastic surgeon, botox treatment of this area is very safe and effective. Hope this helps!

Sheri G. Feldman, MD · Answer

Platysmal bands can respond very well to Botox in some patients and not at all in others. I will have the patients grimace in such a way that forces their bands to become more prominent. Then I inject while holding the bands away from the rest of the neck. The number of units also varies from patient to patient. There is no set formula or number of units. I have used as little as 20 or as much as 80 depending on the number and length of the bands. This is a treatment that must be individualized for each patient.

Emily Altman, MD · Answer

Botox injections of platysmal bands can greatly reduce the appearance of vertical neck lines. To decrease the risk of side effects from platysmal band injection with Botox, very small amounts of Botox should be injected per site - approximately 1-2 units every 2 cm of the band.

	I would not suggest repeating the injections in a week as full action of Botox may not fully manifest until 2 weeks after injection.

	The most important point is that you have the injections performed by a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon with training and experience in Botox injections.

Francis R. Palmer, III, MD (retired) · Answer

Botox, Dysport and Xeomin are neurotoxins that relax muscle responsible for causing unwantd lines, wrinkles, hypertrophy or buching(chords) as in the anterior neck. Using them to relax the platysmal muscle, in the neck, can cause difficulties in swallowing. You may want to atart out with very small doses spread out along the anterior platysmal bands and if tolerated, slowly have more Botox injected in a month or so.

Barry Lycka, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

If you are worried and want to correct horizontal lines, get a physician trained in MicroBotox. Used intradermally, it has very little chance of causing the problems you worry about

Botox and Potential Dangers of Platysmal Band Injections?

Answers (11)

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