Neck botox relaxes the platysma, the superficial muscle running across the neck, to soften the appearance of the vertical bands that become prominent when you speak or make expressions, and to support a more defined jawline.1 It is also known as the Nefertiti lift.2 At my clinic in Nişantaşı, Istanbul, I plan this treatment assessing the neck and jawline together.
The platysma and the jawline
The platysma is a thin, broad sheet of muscle running from the jawline down to the collarbone. Its function is to tension the skin of the neck, but it also applies a downward pull on the lower face.
Two things happen with age: the muscle itself becomes prominent, forming the vertical bands visible during speech, and its downward pull becomes dominant over the muscles holding the face up. As a result, definition along the jawline reduces.
The treatment temporarily weakens that downward pull. As the lifting muscles become relatively more dominant, shadowing along the jawline can reduce. The effect here is not a lift but a change of balance; I discuss that distinction particularly at the examination, because setting the expectation correctly is directly linked to satisfaction with the result.
Who it suits
- People whose vertical neck bands become prominent when speaking or making expressions
- Those wanting to recover some definition along the jawline
- People whose neck lines have developed through posture habits or long periods looking at a screen
This is a non-surgical option for mild to moderate concerns. In people with marked skin laxity it may not meet the expectation; in that case I say so plainly and suggest a surgical assessment.
The procedure
At the examination I ask you to clench and tense the neck muscles so I can assess the position and strength of the platysmal bands. Band position varies between people, so injection points are mapped to your own muscle pattern rather than to a standard scheme.
Micro-doses are given with fine needles along the jawline and into the mapped bands. Depth control matters as much as dose in this area; the treatment is kept in the superficial plane. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes.
The effect begins within 3 to 4 days and settles by day 10 to 14. Because the platysma is broad and active, duration is usually 3 to 4 months — somewhat shorter than facial treatments. I recommend leaving at least 3 months before repeating.
If the jawline is your main concern, planning this together with masseter botox often gives a more complete result: one reduces the downward pull while the other balances the width of the lower face.
Visiting Istanbul or living here?
A large part of my patients are people living in Istanbul as foreign residents or visiting the city, so the practical questions come up often.
Same-day, no stay required. This is a walk-in treatment. There is no recovery period and you do not need to extend your trip for it.
Flying is not a problem. Cabin pressure does not affect the result. You can travel the same day.
Aftercare
For the best result, a few simple points on the first day are enough:
- Stay upright for the first 4 hours. Do not lie face down or keep your head bent forward.
- Do not massage or rub the treated area.
- Avoid very hot showers for 24 hours, and saunas and steam rooms for the first week.
- Avoid heavy exercise and intense cardio for the first week.
- Avoid alcohol on the day of treatment.
For this area specifically: avoid working with your head bent forward for long periods on the first day, and avoid tight collars.
Mild redness or a small bruise may appear at the injection points and settles within a few days. Allergic reactions are rare, which is why treatments are carried out under medical supervision.
What we review together at your consultation
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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An active skin infection at the treatment site
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Neuromuscular junction disorders
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Known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin components
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Your current medication and general health
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Any swallowing difficulty or hoarseness, which should be assessed beforehand
If any of these applies to you, we plan a more suitable alternative rather than proceeding.
Frequently asked questions
Will my swallowing be affected?
The muscles responsible for swallowing sit in the deep plane of the neck; the treatment is given to the platysma in the superficial plane. With correct depth and dose selection that area is protected. This is one of the regions where it matters that the treatment is carried out by a physician with a command of the anatomy.
Will it reduce fat under the chin?
No. Botox acts on muscle and has no effect on fat tissue. If excess fat is the main issue in this area, the treatment will not meet the expectation on its own; I assess that at the examination and suggest a different plan.
Can it replace a surgical neck lift?
No. This is a non-surgical option for mild to moderate concerns. Where there is significant skin laxity, surgical methods give a more appropriate result, and I say so plainly.
Does it work on the horizontal lines on my neck?
Horizontal neck lines usually come from skin folding and skin quality rather than muscle movement. Botox contributes little there; treatments supporting the skin of the neck and décolletage are a more suitable option.
Why does it last less than facial treatments?
The platysma is a broad muscle, active throughout the day. Duration therefore usually sits in the 3 to 4 month range.
How much change should I expect in my jawline?
It depends on the downward pull of your muscle and on your skin elasticity. Where muscle-related shadowing is marked the difference is clear; where the picture comes mainly from skin laxity, the change is measured. I assess which is dominant at the examination and set the expectation from the start.
Can you tell me the price?
Under the applicable regulations, price information cannot be published on our website. The cost of a treatment depends on the product used, the technique chosen and the extent of the treatment. You can call the clinic for detailed information.
Sources
- Improving Neck and Jawline Aesthetics With OnabotulinumtoxinA by Minimizing Platysma Muscle Contraction Effects: Efficacy and Safety Results in a Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- Levy PM. Neurotoxins: Current Concepts in Cosmetic Use on the Face and Neck — Jawline Contouring/Platysma Bands/Necklace Lines. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136:80S-83S.