Nefertiti Lift

Soften Vertical Neck Bands and Restore a More Refined Jawline

Also known as Botox for Platysma Bands, the platysma is a thin, broad muscle that extends from the upper chest and neck into the lower face. As this muscle contracts, it can create visible vertical neck bands and exert a downward pull along the jawline.

Precisely placed BOTOX® Cosmetic can temporarily reduce this muscle activity, softening the appearance of moderate to severe platysma bands and improving the visible transition between the jaw and neck.

At Skin Canvas Aesthetics in Irvine, treatment is customized to your anatomy, muscle activity, neck structure, and aesthetic goals—with an emphasis on natural-looking refinement rather than a frozen or overtreated appearance.

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Explore Your Neck and Jawline Treatment Options

Irvine facial balancing model with black hat

What Are Platysma Bands?

Platysma bands are vertical cords that may become visible between the jawline and neck, particularly when speaking, smiling, grimacing, or contracting the neck muscles.

These bands form as the edges of the platysma muscle become more prominent. Genetics, muscle activity, aging, changes in skin elasticity, and loss of structural support can all influence their appearance.

Platysma bands are different from horizontal neck lines, loose skin, submental fullness, or excess fat beneath the chin. Although these concerns may occur together, they do not necessarily respond to the same treatment.

A personalized assessment helps determine how much of your concern is caused by active platysma muscle contraction and whether BOTOX® Cosmetic is the most appropriate solution.

How Does Botox Treat Platysma Bands?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is a prescription form of onabotulinumtoxinA that temporarily reduces targeted muscle activity.

When injected into carefully selected areas of the platysma, BOTOX® Cosmetic can soften prominent vertical bands and reduce some of the downward muscular pull affecting the jawline and neck.

In October 2024, BOTOX® Cosmetic received FDA approval for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe platysma bands associated with platysma muscle activity in adults.

The FDA-approved treatment pattern includes injections into the upper platysma below the jawline and into visible vertical neck bands. The exact dose is based on the number and severity of the bands identified during assessment.

What Is a Nefertiti Neck Lift?

The Nefertiti neck lift—also called Botox for Platysma Bands—is a nonsurgical technique that uses botulinum toxin injections to reduce downward platysma activity along the jawline and neck.

The name references Queen Nefertiti’s famously defined jawline and elongated neck. The treatment may help soften platysma bands and create a more refined-looking transition between the lower face and neck.

The term “Nefertiti lift” is commonly used in aesthetic medicine, but it is important to understand that it is not a surgical lift. It does not remove excess skin, eliminate fat, rebuild structural support, or reproduce the results of a neck lift.

Treatment that follows the FDA-approved BOTOX® Cosmetic dosing and injection pattern for moderate to severe platysma bands is an approved use. Customized injection patterns beyond the approved indication may be considered off-label and should be discussed during informed consent.

Irvine facial balancing model with blonde hair

Benefits of Platysma Band Treatment

Depending on your anatomy and treatment plan, BOTOX® Cosmetic may:

Soften moderate to severe vertical platysma bands
Reduce visible banding during neck contraction
Improve the appearance of the transition between the jaw and neck
Reduce downward muscular pull along the lower face
Create subtle improvement in visible jawline definition
Provide a nonsurgical treatment option with minimal interruption to daily activities
Complement a broader lower-face or neck rejuvenation plan
Create natural-looking refinement without adding facial volume

Results vary, and the treatment is most effective when muscle activity is a primary contributor to the patient’s concern.

What Botox Cannot Correct

BOTOX® Cosmetic does not directly:

Remove excess or hanging skin
Eliminate fat beneath the chin
Permanently lift the neck or lower face
Tighten significantly lax skin
Replace a surgical neck lift
Resurface crepey or sun-damaged skin
Restore lost facial volume
Reliably erase deep horizontal neck lines caused by multiple factors

If skin laxity, volume loss, submental fullness, or structural changes are contributing to your concern, a different treatment—or a thoughtfully combined plan—may be more appropriate.

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Who Is a Good Candidate?

Treatment may be appropriate for adults who:

Have moderate to severe vertical platysma bands
Notice cords becoming more visible when contracting the neck
Are bothered by downward muscular pull along the jawline
Want subtle jawline and neck refinement without surgery
Have realistic expectations about temporary, nonsurgical treatment
Understand that neurotoxin improves muscle-related concerns rather than excess skin or fat
Are medically appropriate candidates for BOTOX® Cosmetic

Treatment may not be appropriate for individuals with an infection at a proposed injection site or a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin preparation or formulation component.

Additional caution or medical evaluation may be necessary for patients with neuromuscular conditions, pre-existing swallowing or breathing difficulties, significant neck-muscle weakness, previous neck surgery, or medications that may interfere with neuromuscular transmission.

The effects of BOTOX® Cosmetic during pregnancy and breastfeeding have not been adequately studied. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, medical conditions, and all medications should be discussed before treatment.

Individual candidacy is determined during consultation.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your Assessment

Your provider will evaluate your neck at rest and during animation. You may be asked to contract the platysma so the location, number, and severity of the bands can be assessed.

The examination also considers:

Jawline definition
Skin quality and elasticity
Submental fullness
Lower-face proportions
Previous treatments or surgery
Swallowing, breathing, muscular, and neurological history
Whether your concern is primarily muscular or structural

Your Treatment Plan

For FDA-approved treatment of moderate to severe platysma bands, the labeled BOTOX® Cosmetic dose is based on band presentation, it can range from 26 units to 36 units

BOTOX® Cosmetic units are product-specific and cannot be directly converted to units of another botulinum toxin product.

The Procedure

The skin is cleansed, treatment areas are identified, and small amounts of BOTOX® Cosmetic are injected into selected areas of the upper platysma and visible neck bands.

The procedure is typically brief, although appointment time varies based on assessment, photography, informed consent, and whether other areas are being treated.

Temporary pinpoint redness, small bumps, tenderness, or bruising may occur at the injection sites.

Results and Recovery

Improvement develops gradually as BOTOX® Cosmetic begins reducing targeted platysma activity. Results should not be judged immediately after injection.

The FDA clinical trials evaluated the primary treatment response 14 days after treatment. Individual onset and response can vary.

Results are temporary. Duration depends on individual anatomy, muscle activity, dose, treatment pattern, metabolism, and response. The safety and effectiveness of administering BOTOX® Cosmetic more frequently than every three months have not been clinically evaluated.

Most patients can return to normal daily activities soon after treatment, although temporary redness, swelling, tenderness, bruising, or headache may occur.

A follow-up assessment may be recommended after the treatment has had time to fully develop.

Important Safety Information

BOTOX® Cosmetic has a boxed warning stating that the effects of botulinum toxin may spread beyond the injection area and produce symptoms consistent with botulinum toxin effects. These symptoms may occur hours to weeks after treatment and can include generalized muscle weakness, double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, voice changes, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing.

Swallowing and breathing difficulties can be life-threatening. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing.

BOTOX® Cosmetic is contraindicated in individuals with an infection at a proposed injection site or a known hypersensitivity to any botulinum toxin preparation or formulation component.

Tell your provider about all medical conditions, particularly neurological or muscular disorders, existing swallowing or breathing problems, previous facial or neck surgery, and all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.

Treatment along the lower face or neck requires careful anatomical assessment because inappropriate placement or unwanted muscle weakening may affect facial movement, smile symmetry, neck strength, speech, or swallowing.

A comprehensive consultation and informed-consent process will review potential benefits, limitations, alternatives, and treatment-specific risks.

Before Your Appointment

Before treatment:

Provide a complete and accurate medical history.
Disclose all medications, vitamins, and supplements.
Tell us about previous reactions to any botulinum toxin product.
Inform us of previous facial or neck surgery, trauma, or injectable treatment.
Tell us if you have a neurological, muscular, swallowing, speech, or breathing condition.
Notify us of any infection, rash, irritation, or inflammation near the treatment area.
Inform us if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
Arrive with clean skin when possible.
Follow all personalized instructions provided by Skin Canvas.

Some medications and supplements can increase bruising. Do not discontinue anticoagulants, aspirin, prescription medications, or medically necessary treatments unless instructed by the clinician who prescribed them.

After Your Treatment

After treatment:

Follow all individualized instructions provided by your Skin Canvas clinician.
Avoid rubbing, massaging, or applying unnecessary pressure to the treated areas unless directed.
Avoid strenuous exercise, excessive heat, alcohol, and other restricted activities for the period specified in your instructions.
Allow small injection-site bumps or redness to resolve naturally.
Do not attempt to manipulate the treated muscles.
Contact Skin Canvas if you experience unexpected weakness, significant asymmetry, worsening pain, or symptoms that concern you.
Seek immediate medical attention for difficulty swallowing, speaking, or breathing.

These are general guidelines and do not replace your personalized medical instructions.

View Official Pre- and Post-Care Instructions

Why Choose Skin Canvas Aesthetics?

The lower face and neck require a detailed understanding of anatomy, muscle movement, facial balance, and the relationship between the platysma and surrounding structures.

At Skin Canvas Aesthetics, treatment begins with identifying what is actually creating the concern. A visible neck change may be caused by muscle activity, skin laxity, fat distribution, volume loss, structural anatomy—or a combination of factors.

Our approach emphasizes:

Personalized facial and neck assessment
Conservative, anatomy-based treatment planning
Natural-looking outcomes
Honest conversations about treatment limitations
Careful differentiation between muscular and structural concerns
Patient education and informed decision-making
Long-term aesthetic planning rather than unnecessary treatment

Our goal is not to make the neck look motionless. It is to create a refined result that remains balanced with your face.

Before and After Platysma Band Treatment

A More Refined Transition Between the Jaw and Neck

Explore authentic Skin Canvas patient results to see how personalized BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment may soften platysma bands and improve visible jawline definition.

Before-and-after photographs should be taken using consistent lighting, positioning, camera settings, distance, and neck contraction. Include both relaxed and contracted views when appropriate.

Individual anatomy, dosage, muscle activity, and outcomes vary. Photographs are for educational purposes and do not guarantee a particular result.

Tell your provider about all medical conditions, particularly neurological or muscular disorders, existing This patient was concerned about visible platysma bands and downward muscular pull affecting the jawline. A personalized BOTOX® Cosmetic treatment was used to temporarily reduce targeted platysma activity and soften the appearance of the bands. Individual results vary.swallowing or breathing problems, previous facial or neck surgery, and all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements.

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Platysma Bands and Nefertiti Neck Lift Frequently Asked Questions

Is Botox FDA-approved for platysma bands?

Yes. BOTOX® Cosmetic is FDA-approved for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe platysma bands associated with platysma muscle activity in adults. The approved treatment pattern includes injections into the upper platysma below the jawline and into visible vertical bands.

Is the Nefertiti neck lift FDA-approved?

BOTOX® Cosmetic is FDA-approved for moderate to severe platysma bands using a specific dosing and injection pattern. “Nefertiti lift” is a broader aesthetic term rather than a separate FDA-approved procedure name. Customized injections outside the approved indication or labeled pattern may be off-label.

Can Botox tighten loose neck skin?

BOTOX® Cosmetic reduces targeted muscle activity; it does not directly tighten or remove loose skin. Some patients may notice a more refined neck and jawline after downward platysma activity is reduced, but patients with significant skin laxity may benefit more from skin-tightening treatments, collagen-stimulating procedures, or surgical evaluation.

Can a Nefertiti lift eliminate jowls?

It cannot remove jowls or restore lost structural support. Reducing downward platysma activity may create subtle improvement in the visible jawline for carefully selected patients, particularly when muscle pull contributes to the concern. More pronounced jowling may require filler, collagen stimulation, skin tightening, or surgery.

How many units are used for platysma bands?

The FDA-approved BOTOX® Cosmetic doses are 26, 31, or 36 units, depending on whether one or two visible bands are present on each side. Your provider will determine the appropriate dose and whether the FDA-approved treatment pattern fits your anatomy and goals.

How much does treatment cost?

Treatment cost varies based on your anatomy, the prominence of your platysmal bands, and the number of units needed. During your consultation, we’ll assess your concerns, recommend a personalized treatment plan, and review pricing before you decide to proceed.

When will I see results?

The effect develops gradually rather than immediately. The pivotal clinical studies evaluated the primary response at Day 14, making approximately two weeks an appropriate time to assess the developed result. Individual onset and response vary.

How long do the results last?

Results are temporary and vary based on muscle strength, anatomy, dose, metabolism, and individual response. The safety and effectiveness of treatment more frequently than every three months have not been clinically evaluated. Your provider can recommend an appropriate reassessment schedule.

Does the treatment hurt?

Most patients describe brief pinching or stinging during the injections. The treatment involves multiple small injection points along the jawline and visible bands. Individual sensitivity varies, and appropriate comfort measures can be discussed during your appointment.

Will my neck look frozen?

The goal is to soften excessive or visible platysma activity while maintaining a natural-looking appearance. Results depend on anatomy, dose, injection placement, and individual response. Conservative planning helps reduce the likelihood of an overtreated appearance, although all neurotoxin treatment carries potential risks.

Can platysma Botox be combined with other treatments?

Yes, when medically appropriate. Depending on the cause of your concerns, platysma-band treatment may complement chin or jawline filler, full-face balancing, Sculptra, or skin-quality and tightening treatments. Combination treatment should be based on anatomy and goals rather than automatically treating multiple areas.

Nefertiti Lift in Irvine, CA