Botox for Neck Bands: Platysmal Bands, Nefertiti Lift, Units and Cost

The vertical cords that run down the front of the neck, called platysmal bands, are one of the clearest signs of an ageing neck, and one of the easiest to soften without surgery. They come from a muscle, not from fat or skin, which is why Botox works so well on them. Since October 2024, Botox Cosmetic has been FDA approved specifically for neck bands, joining the frown lines, crow’s feet and forehead.

This guide explains what causes neck bands, what Botox can and cannot do for your neck, how many units it takes, what it costs at our Carlsbad studio and when another treatment will serve you better.

What are platysmal bands?

The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that runs from your collarbones up over the jawline. You can see it working when you grimace or clench your teeth: the cords that pop out at the front of your neck are its edges. In younger skin they stay flat at rest. With age, the edges of the muscle separate and become more prominent, and the skin over them thins, so the bands start to show even when your face is relaxed.

Platysmal bands can also make the jawline look softer, because the same muscle pulls the lower face and jaw downward. That is why relaxing it can help the jawline look a little more defined.

What Botox does for neck bands

Botox relaxes the bands themselves. Small amounts are placed along each band, so the muscle edges stop pulling forward and the cords soften. The result is a smoother front of the neck at rest and when you talk, and often a slightly crisper angle under the jaw.

The Nefertiti lift

A Nefertiti lift, sometimes called a Botox neck lift, combines treatment of the neck bands with small amounts along the lower edge of the jaw. Relaxing the downward pull of the platysma at the jawline lets the muscles that lift the face work a little more freely, which can give a subtle lift and a smoother jawline. It is named after the Egyptian queen known for her elegant neck. It is a refinement, not a facelift: the best results are in people with good skin quality and early banding.

How many units, and what it costs

In the trials that led to FDA approval, the dose was set by the number of bands: 26, 31 or 36 units. At Glow Theory most people need 20 to 40 units for neck bands, and 12 to 30 units for a Nefertiti lift.

Botox at Glow Theory is $14 per unit. Your exact units and price are confirmed at your consultation, before we begin. More on units for every area in our guide to how many units of Botox you need.

Results and how long they last

Like Botox elsewhere, neck treatment starts to work within about a week and is at its best at around two weeks, when we see you again. Most people enjoy the result for about 3 to 4 months. Many combine neck Botox with their usual upper-face treatment so everything is refreshed at the same visit.

Is neck Botox safe?

Neck Botox is safe in experienced hands, and it is now FDA approved for this use. The neck needs more care than the face, because the muscles that help you swallow and hold up your head lie deeper underneath. That is why doses are kept modest and placed superficially, right into the bands.

• Common and mild: small bumps, redness or a bruise at the injection points, and occasionally a mild headache or neck tenderness for a day or two.
• Uncommon: a tired or weak feeling in the neck, or a change when swallowing, usually mild and temporary. Tell us if you notice either.

For the first day, avoid tight collars, neck massage and strenuous exercise; our Botox aftercare guide covers the rest.

Other neck treatments, and when they fit better

• Loose, crepey skin or a “turkey neck”Sofwave or Morpheus8 tighten skin; Botox cannot.
• Fullness under the chinKybella or CoolSculpting reduce fat.
• Horizontal necklace linesSkin-quality treatments such as SKINVIVE or microneedling usually help more than Botox.
• Sun spots and redness on the neck and chestBBL HERO light treatments even out tone.

Many people get the best result from combining two: Botox for the bands and a skin treatment for texture or laxity.

Want a smoother neck? See every area and price on our Botox in Carlsbad page, read about all the areas Botox can treat, or book a consultation at our studio on El Camino Real.