When it comes to aesthetic concerns across the face, a lax jawline is often the most bothersome, regardless of age or sex. Whether it’s aging, weight fluctuations or genetics, the lower face is the source of major insecurity for countless individuals worldwide. Leave it to leading aesthetics medicine brand Allergan to find a noninvasive way to treat the area. Recently, Botox received FDA approval for a new area of treatment: the platysmal bands. It might just be the sleeper-hit jawline treatment you’ve been looking for.
Featured Experts
- Jill Hessler, MD is a facial plastic surgeon in Palo Alto, CA
- Kathleen Behr, MD is a dermatologist in Fresno, CA
- Sabrina Fabi, MD is a dermatologist in San Diego
How does Botox treat the platysmal bands?
To fully understand how platysma band Botox works for your jawline, you must first know what the platysma bands are. “The superficial, sheet-like muscle covering the anterior and lateral of the neck is called the platysma,” says Dr. Behr. “The anterior and posterior borders of the muscle when contracted appear vertically and are known as platysmal bands.” There is an easy way to locate the platysmal bands and see how severe yours are. Dr. Fabi says to look in the mirror and say the letter “E,” or smile, jutting out your bottom teeth. The bands that appear down the neck (think of the face you make when you say “yikes!”) are the platysmal bands.
So, why Botox for the platysmal bands? While it may not be abundantly clear at first, Dr. Fabi explains that the platysmal bands—being a part of the larger platysma muscle that connects right under the chin—are “the largest depressor of the face.” Platysmal bands are responsible for most of the sagging effect around the jawline and lower face. “The platysmal bands essentially pull the entire face down,” Dr. Fabi explains. “Botox injections into these bands help to relax them,” Dr. Behr begins. “When the platysma muscle is contracted, it pulls down on the lower face which enhances the jowls resulting in a loss of definition of the jawline, so Botox treatment of the platysma muscle can help relax the muscle, leading to a decrease in horizontal neck creases, vertical platysmal bands and jowls.” The result is a sharper, more defined jawline. So, whether you want to decrease the appearance of your vertical neck bands, tighten your jawline or both, platysmal band Botox is a great option.
Does Botox in the platysmal bands have risks?
Botox is the only FDA-approved treatment for safely and effectively relaxing the platysmal bands, according to Dr. Fabi. Visiting a licensed, experienced dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon for platysmal band Botox is the best way to avoid complications. But, as is true with any neurotoxin treatment, poor technique can lead to complications. “If Botox is injected into the wrong muscles, it can cause the smile to change or be asymmetrical temporarily while the Botox is working, which is usually about 2-3 months,” says Dr. Hessler. “The platysma muscle is very superficial (close to the surface of the skin), so if someone injected the Botox too deep into the deeper neck muscles, it could impact swallowing or even breathing.” Dr. Behr assures complications such as these are extremely rare.
While there are minimal risks associated with injectable treatments, Dr. Fabi emphasizes that patient satisfaction with platysmal band Botox is extremely high. “In my practice, I’d say at least 60 percent of people get their platysmal bands treated. It’s a reason for people to come back. Sometimes they don’t even know that these bands are causing their lower-face issues, and once they get the treatment, they’re truly wowed.”
How much Botox do the platysmal bands need?
When treating any of the FDA-approved areas of the face with Botox, finding the perfect balance between not enough and too much is essential in creating satisfactory, lasting results. So, how much Botox is needed to treat the platysmal bands? According to Dr. Behr, treatment frequencies vary between 20 to 40 injected units every three to four months. She says, “To avoid complications of weakness to the neck, significantly higher doses should be avoided.” Dr. Hessler agrees. “Depending on how many bands are present and the strength of the muscle, common doses are anywhere between 10 to 50 units.”
