Botox for Relaxing Neck Bands?

Botox injections are effective at softening the neck bands (also known as platysmal bands). The treatment can also be combined with a “Nefertiti Treatment”, which will improve the definition of your jaw line and create a beautiful neck lift at the same time. The cost of your treatment depends on the number of units administered.

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.

There is some retraction of the neck bands, making them look better in some, but not all individuals. When used in this off-label approach, it involves the same side effects as Botox when administered in facial regions such as brusing, but there is a risk that the neck muscles might be so relaxed that you could find it difficult to raise your head out of the hair salon’s shampoo sink, and a few cases of hoarseness have been reported.
Also, a very, very rare but serious side effect had been reported where a patient had difficulty swallowing, but this was not permanent. These worrisome side effects are possibly dose-related so reasonable number of units delivered to the area of the neck bands do not cause this to happen. Alternative treatment is a surgical neck lift. External radiofrequency devices may help minimally.

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.

Hi lk,
Botox can be very effective at relaxing platysmal neck bands. It can also be used to lift the neck (The Nefertiti Lift). It does take higher units to achieve excellent results, so do speak to you injecting physician about costs prior to your treatment.
The neck is an area where you should seek out an expert because of the higher doses used, and the possibility of significant complications is placed improperly. Good luck and be well.
Dr. P

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 bands usually require 50 to 100 units of Botox, which costs somewhere between $600 and $1800 for treatment. Good luck.

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. In this situation, Botox will likely be disappointing.
The only time I would consider Botox for the neck is if one is concerned with tight vertical muscle bands showing due to animation (i.e., laughing, grimacing etc.)
Although Botox is not FDA approved for platysmal banding, I would consider is relatively safe.
I hope this helps!

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) depending on the individual. Cost will depend very much on what your doctor charges for a unit of Botox. Longevity is about 4-5 months. Not everyone has a great response to Botox for the neck cords. The alternative treatment is a facelift so for many it is worth trying the Botox treatment.

When injected into the platysmal muscle on both sides of the neck, Botox allows it to relax and so that it no longer pulls downward. This not only softens the appearance of the neck, the skin actually retracts slightly, since it is no longer being pulled downward. A variation on this is called the Nefertiti lift, which also cleans up the jawline. Please schedule a consult with a board-certified dermatologist to get the more youthful neck you desire.

Tight platysma neck bands show up as bowstringing.  The platysma goes from the clavicle to the chin and when tight it will pull forward as an annoying neck band.Botox is an excellent temporary solution to the neck band problem.Usually small doses such as 10 or 20 units are effective.Best wishes,Dr. Denkler