Is It Normal to Have a Vertical Neck Band at the Age of 25? (photo)

Question

I'm 25 years old, 5'1 weigh 90. I've been underwaight for more than 8 years. I recently notice a sagging skin and a big vertical cord start to appear under my chin when I turn my head or smile, and I start to hate my neck. The change on my neck makes me feel down. Is there any things I can do to improve the appearance of sagging neck, tighten and firm neck skin, and if possible remove the appearance of the vertical bands? please help me.

Richard G. Schwartz, MD · Answer

The vertical neck band in your photo is most likely the edge of your platysma muscle. Because of your young age, the muscle probably isn't loose and saggy, but is pulling down due to muscle tension. Therefore, Botox injections might help by relaxing the muscle. Some people just have very active neck muscles with bands popping out due to constant muscle tension. We usually see this in thin patients without much fat between the skin and muscle. Surgery would be a last resort, but the platysma muscles could be partially cut horizontally to relieve the contraction and the 2 muscles than stitched together (underneath the skin) to create a smooth muscle hammock held upward. However, I would try the nonsurgical approach first.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

"Injecting soft fillers like Belotero in this area can reduce lines, wrinkles and folds as well as improve skin texture with long-term collagen production. Fillers are being used more frequently to contour and lift rather than solely line fill. Of course, fillers are best used in combination with lasers and microneedling with PRP to get the optimal outcome.

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

I suggest getting a formal evaluation with a cosmetic dermatologist to create an individualized treatment plan that works for you. Best, Dr. Emer"

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

There are several non-surgical treatments that may help address your concern. Therefore, it would be best to consult with a board-certified surgeon in-person as you may have more than one option. 
During your consultation, the presence of banding down the front of the #neck, and, amount of excess skin and condition of your skin are among some factors which will determine the options to #rejuvenate your neck. However, chin deficiency with the neck and jawline are also taken into consideration. A weak #chin implies a lack of chin support for the skin along the neck line. As a stand-alone procedure, chin augmentation can be performed in the office under local #anesthesia. I suggest consulting with a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn if you a are indeed an #candidate and also more about the #options available and which of those may be best for you.

Dana Goldberg, MD · Answer

Thin people can notice the visible edges of the platysma muscle in the neck very early on. This doesn't necessarily have to do with the aging process, more your anatomy, but it is associated with aging, so I can understand why you would want to address it. Botox or Dysport can help relax the muscles so the tight vertical band is not visible. Since the average number of units needed is anywhere between 10 and 30, the price would be somewhere between $200 and $400 every four months or so. You mention you are underweight. If you have previously lost weight, then the bands could also be related to a little looseness of the skin. This is much less likely at your age, but if the Botox didn't resolve the problem fully, a skin tightening laser or radiofrequency treatment may be considered. At our office, we have seen good results with Ulthera in this area.

Frank P. Fechner, MD · Answer

Normalcy is a spectrum - the mild band shown in the photo certainly can be seen at age 25. I would recommend conservative treatments with injectables as the first line of defense.

Stephen Prendiville, MD · Answer

The picture shows an early platysmal band. The best way to approach this area of anatomy at age 25 is with a neuromodulator (Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin). Surgery is not appropriate at your age. Although a number of minimally invasive techniques could tighten the skin, it is doubtful you will achieve much more improvement over your current baseline.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I would certainly start with Botox.  The band or bands can be released in the future, if necessary.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Dominic Bray, MBBS, FRCS · Answer

in the visible platysma band will certainly help in my opinion. You would not warrant surgery in my practice

Kamran Jafri, MD · Answer

Hi Layla, sounds like your genetically predisposed to be thin and petite but certainly always follow with your primary doctor to ensure you have appropriate nutritional and dietary intake. You are too young for surgery and based on the picture your anatomy doesn't look to fall into the surgical category, so avoid it until you really need it. You may want to consider botox injections for the muscle bands that appear when you turn your head. It is an effective way to help improve this common problem. Take care, Dr. Jafri

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

Neck Bands can occur at any age. Botox is the first answer. That will help. Once you have Botox working for you , you will like your neck. I suppose sometime you could have a simple platysmaplasty to correct the band. Do not despair. there are solutions. My Best, Dr C

Is It Normal to Have a Vertical Neck Band at the Age of 25? (photo)

Answers (10)

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