BOTOX & Filler Questions Moderated by Bay Area Makeup Artist, Stefanie Fritz
August 21, 2024
Bay Area makeup artist and content creator Stefanie Fritz @stefaniefritzxo turns to our very own Dr.…
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Mabrie Facial Institute
166 Geary Street
Floor 1300
San Francisco, CA 94108
Phone: (415) 445-9513
Text/SMS: (866) 618-9459
Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Most people associate a smooth, streamlined neck with youth, health, and attractiveness. But cord-like vertical neck bands, also called platysmal bands, can cause an aged or gaunt appearance even in relatively young individuals. They can sneak up on you, prompting you to ask, “Why do I suddenly have a turkey neck?” At Mabrie Facial Institute in San Francisco, we strategically inject BOTOX to erase vertical neck bands and create a sleeker, smoother neck.
Table of Contents
How To Get Rid of Turkey Neck: Your Treatment Options at MFI
BOTOX Injections for Vertical Platysmal Neck Bands
The platysma muscle is a large, broad muscle that covers most of the anterior and lateral aspects of the neck. It pulls down the lower jaw to open your mouth, and it draws the corners of your mouth out and down to form a frown. A flexed platysma muscle creates visible vertical bands on the neck.
When injected into the platysma muscle, BOTOX temporarily blocks the nerve signals that cause the muscle to contract. Once the muscle is relaxed, the neck bands soften, and the skin becomes more smooth and flat.
BOTOX Injections for Vertical Platysmal Neck Bands
BOTOX For Vertical Neck Bands Before and After Photos
Vertical Neck Bands
Vertical Neck Bands
This patient was dissatisfied with the visible banding on her neck. By strategically injecting BOTOX, we relaxed the neck muscle to create a more youthful, relaxed look.
How Much Is BOTOX for Platysmal Neck Bands?
The cost of neck band treatment varies depending on the Injector, the treatment plan, and how much product is used. Visit our site’s dedicated pricing page for updated price information on all our procedures.
Qualified borrowers may be eligible for 0% financing for 6 to 12 months through CareCredit and Alphaeon medical financing.
The MFI Advantage
MFI focuses exclusively on injectables, and has set the bar in the art and science of fillers for more than 15 years. Dr. Mabrie, trained as a facial plastic surgeon, has dedicated thousands of hours to carefully selecting and training our talented Injectors in the most innovative, effective, and safe techniques for injectables. There is no other practice in the Bay Area with the level of experience, education, and passion for injectables you'll find at MFI.
Schedule Me
The MFI Advantage
MFI focuses exclusively on injectables, and has set the bar in the art and science of fillers for more than 15 years. Dr. Mabrie, trained as a facial plastic surgeon, has dedicated thousands of hours to carefully selecting and training our talented Injectors in the most innovative, effective, and safe techniques for injectables. There is no other practice in the Bay Area with the level of experience, education, and passion for injectables you'll find at MFI.
Schedule MeWhat Causes Vertical Neck Bands?
Vertical neck bands, also known as platysmal bands, are caused by the tightening or contracting of the platysma muscle in the neck. There are several reasons why these bands might become more prominent:
Repeated Muscle Movements
Certain habitual motions, like frequently looking down at screens or holding the neck in certain positions for extended periods, can strain the neck muscles and contribute to the development of visible bands over time.
Skin & Tissue Laxity
As we age, collagen and elastin in the skin begin to break down. This causes the skin and underlying muscles to lose elasticity, leading to sagging or visible muscle bands in the neck area.
Fat Loss
The fat in the face and neck breaks down with age, which can result in platysmal bands that appear more prominent. Significant weight loss or extreme fitness can also contribute to visible neck bands.
Consultation & Planning
Your First Visit
When you arrive for your consultation at our beautiful San Francisco office, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team, and your Injector will take you to a treatment room. They will discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations and answer all your questions. Next, we photograph your neck from all angles; we refer to these photos at every visit to monitor your progress. Analyzing the photos helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
BOTOX for vertical platysmal bands is a relatively quick procedure, but we ask that you plan to spend approximately 90 minutes in the office for your first visit. This should accommodate your consultation, prep, treatment, photography, aftercare education, and scheduling your next appointment. The injections themselves only take a few minutes and cause minimal discomfort.
Your Neck Band BOTOX Procedure
We begin by having you flex your platysma muscle so we can map and outline the borders of the prominent neck bands, mark the injection points, and determine the appropriate neuromodulator dosage for you. Your Injector then makes a series of tiny injections along each band—typically 4 to 6 injections per band.
We recommend re-treatment every 3 or 4 months to keep your neck looking smooth and youthful.
Preparing for Your Procedure
For the best experience, follow these tips in advance of your appointment:
- A few days before your appointment, restrict blood thinners, such as anti-inflammatories, fish oil, and alcohol. Limiting these will reduce your risk of bruising from BOTOX injections.
- DO NOT discontinue prescribed, medically necessary medications.
- Eat and drink a normal breakfast or lunch prior to your appointment; low blood sugar can make patients lightheaded during treatment.
Recovery & Aftercare
Discomfort during treatment is minimal, and you can return to normal activities after your appointment. Immediately after your injections, you may experience tenderness, redness, and possibly bruising at the treatment site. These symptoms are mild and typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours. Side effects can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Aleve. Ice can also enhance comfort and reduce swelling.
Swelling
- While swelling from BOTOX is typically minimal, it peaks the day after treatment
- This may cause temporary asymmetry, lumps, or bumps
Bruising
- Bruising may occur, but should resolve within a few days
Redness & Discomfort
- Often minimal and lasting just a few days
- Your treated areas may be tender to the touch
Downtime
- No downtime required
- May return to work immediately after treatment
- May resume normal exercise the next day
Because we know you have questions about your recovery process, we created an entire page dedicated to BOTOX and dermal filler aftercare.
BOTOX for Neck Bands FAQs
How many units of BOTOX are needed for platysmal neck bands?
Each patient is different, but on average, we find that patients require 25 to 50 units of BOTOX to treat vertical neck bands.
Will losing weight help a “turkey neck”?
Unfortunately, this area is not usually improved with weight loss. While you might see a slight improvement in a double chin when you lose weight, neck bands may actually become more prominent with fat loss.
How long before BOTOX works for platysmal bands?
Neuromodulators take a few days to begin taking effect, with full results visible in about 10 to 14 days. You should see smoother neck skin and reduced neck banding by two weeks after your treatment.
We’d Love To See You
If you are interested in learning more about BOTOX® for vertical neck bands in San Francisco, request a consultation online, or call us at (415) 445-9513 to schedule your first two appointments with one of our highly trained specialists. If you’ll be visiting us from outside the area, our Fly in for Your Procedure page was created just for you to help make planning your trip as smooth as possible.
A Reputation Built on Results
Dr.Mabrie has really good aesthetic judgment. He gave me a holistic suggestion for the entire face....
Well, Lets start with how LONG my treatments last. I went over a year between my last treatment and...
Love my experience here! My results are so natural! I really felt like they listened to my concerns...
Look…. Let’s be honest. You’re probably already getting injections and it’s hard finding a new spot....
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