Prominent Platysma Bands After Facelift and Lifting Weights, What's The Cause? What Can Be Done?

   Contraction of the platsyma can expose areas of banding particularly during strain.  In addition, if you have lost body fat due to increased workload at the gym, the bands may be more noticeable.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

The two folds of skin that go vertically from the chin down the front of the neck are called platysma bands because they are related to a separation of the underlying muscle, called the platysma. I routinely repair this when doing a facelift, using a technique called platysmaplasty. That involves an incision under the chin. So in your case, it all depends on whether the platysmaplasty was done with your facelift or not. Discuss it with your plastic surgeon.

Platysmal bands vertical lines found in the central neck.  They tend to become more prominent with age and can be very bothersome.  They are formed by the leading edge of the platysmal muscles on either side of the neck.  The platysmal bands are typically treated with a procedure called a platysmaplasty.  This procedure is done through a small incision beneath the chin.  The edges of the platysma muscles are trimmed and sewn together.

Its possible, though somewhat unlikely, that exercise could undo the binding sutures after a platysmaplasty (if this was even been done in your case!).  Unfortunately, if this did occur, It is unlikely to go away by stopping exercise.  Your best options are:


give it time to see if the problem resolves with healing (recommended)

Botox/Dysport/Xeomin

revision platysmaplasty


Hope this helps!