How do I treat Platysmal Bands when I'm too young for a neck lift and don't want to keep shelling out money for Botox? (Photo)

Question

I'm only 31 and have relatively really nice facial skin but my Platysmal Bands make my neck look 71 not 31. I think they are pretty extreme for my age. What can I do to correct this when I think I'm too young for a necklift and $250 every 3 months for Botox just seems silly. Is there anything else that can be done? It really bothers me and I hate to take pictures because of it. What would be causing this for me to have these at this age? Please help!

Lu-Jean Feng, MD · Answer

Botox is still your best option in your non-surgical options. With continuous use of Botox, it may induce muscle atrophy so that you won't need as much with repeated treatments.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

There
 are not too many great options for neck tightening, besides surgery and 
plastysmaplasty IF someone is a candidate (older age).  However, there are some good noninvasive options.  Botox works to tighten the 
muscles of the neck and jawline; fillers into the lateral neck and skin 
folds work great to fill out lines and give lift; radiofrequency 
treatments like sublative/viva, laser treatments fraxel/clear and 
brilliant/co2 help texture and tone as well as give lift; ultrasound 
(ultherapy) and deep radiofrequency (thermage, velashape, venus legacy) can help 
give tightening and lift as well but often require more than one 
treatment and are best combined with the other mentioned treatments and 
by doing the full face rather than just the neck.  I suggest seeing a 
cosmetic dermatologist or plastic surgeon who specializes in noninvasive
 options and thinks outside the box.  Best, Dr. Emer.

Mark Glasgold, MD, FACS · Answer

The neck bands are caused by flexing of the platysma muscle.  The best thing is to try and lengthen the muscle.  Facial yoga exercises, which can be found on the internet, can be very helpful in improving them.

Robert G. Fante, MD, FACS · Answer

Unfortunately, Botox is
still one of your best options.  Platysma
muscle surgery would provide much longer lasting improvement but you’re right
that you are young for this and your neck skin is not particularly lax.  Other additive non-invasive alternatives such
as peels or radiofrequency or ultrasound tightening might improve the overall
appearance of your neck but would not eliminate the bands themselves, which
have probably started earlier in life than usual as a consequence of your
genetics.  Finally massage or yoga to
relax the platysma muscles might be helpful if you can find the right person in
your community to guide you.

How do I treat Platysmal Bands when I'm too young for a neck lift and don't want to keep shelling out money for Botox? (Photo)

Answers (4)

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