When you look in the mirror, do you notice two bands running down your neck? These bands are known as platysmal muscles. You are most likely to notice them when your muscles are contracting, but eventually they become permanently visible, even when your muscles are relaxing. Unfortunately, the more they protrude, the more they create the illusion of a “turkey neck.” Below, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Ary Krau explains more about this common cosmetic complaint.
Why Do Platysmal Bands Become More Prominent?
As your skin loses elasticity with age (and over years of sun exposure), your neck becomes less taut. Sagging skin no longer conceals the muscles as effectively. Aging also weakens the muscles themselves, which makes them even more visible through the skin.
Because neck banding does not pose any health risks, the reason to address this problem is purely cosmetic.
How to Treat Platysmal Bands
The most thorough way to address vertical neck bands is with neck lift. With this surgery, Dr. Krau can tighten the muscles and the surrounding skin to create taut, youthful neck contours. You may also opt for facelift, a surgery that includes neck lift, to simultaneously address wrinkles and jowls that appear on the lower portion of the face.
Injectables are a minimally invasive way to reduce the appearance of banding. Botox is great for relaxing the muscles so that they do not protrude as much. A dermal filler like Juvéderm can also be useful for making the neck skin firmer, which better hides the neck muscles. The advantage of choosing injections is that it requires no downtime, although the results typically last a few to several months before the treatment would need to be repeated to maintain smooth neck contours.
Another consideration is to be mindful of your exercise routine. Many people strain their necks during their workouts, which adds tension to the platysmal bands. Look in a mirror next time you exercise to see if your neck muscles are tensing, and then adjust your stance accordingly to break yourself of that habit.
Find a Solution That Works for You
Dr. Krau is a talented facial plastic surgeon who has helped many patients to rejuvenate their necks with smoother contours. During a consultation, he can examine your neck and recommend the most effective way to improve its appearance. For an in-person or virtual appointment with Dr. Krau, please call (305) 861-6881 today.