Along with the face, the neck is one of the first body areas to show age. The skin of the neck is also notoriously thin and this can cause wrinkling and the muscles to become more prominent underneath the skin. This happens due to the loss of collagen, environmental damage, fat loss, increased skin laxity, and thinning skin. While eventually the neck can be addressed with a neck lift surgery, this is not always necessary when platysmal banding is the only concern. Botox injections are one of the first treatments used to treat an aging neck. Northwest Face & Body provides the best Botox for platysmal bands Bellevue and Kirkland offer.
The platysma muscle consists of two bands that run vertically down the neck on each side. With a youthful neck, the platysma muscle is tight and not visible. However, as the skin ages, the two vertical bands of the platysma muscle can become visible, particularly when talking and making normal facial movements. This is a dead giveaway of age in someone who may otherwise look fairly young.
Botox is often considered the best treatment for platysmal bands because it causes the neck muscles to relax, especially during movements where the bands became most prominent. This can help restore a more youthful looking neck and can even weaken the muscles to prevent the worsening of the banding and may even improve it over time with consistent treatment.
Neck Botox has other uses outside of treating platysmal bands, though most are medical treatments rather than purely cosmetic ones. Some of the other uses for Botox injections in the neck include:
At Northwest Face & Body, we offer cosmetic Botox injections as well as injections for hyperhidrosis and chronic migraines. Other Botox treatments we may offer on a case-by-case basis.
Like with all Botox treatments, Botox for platysmal bands comes with benefits and risks. For the most part, the benefits outweigh the risks. However, patients need to be fully informed of both to safely proceed with treatment. Some of the benefits include:
The risks of Botox, in general, are minimal. However, when performed incorrectly, on an unideal patient, or in rare instances, Botox can cause complications. The possible risks include:
Overall, the risk of Botox injections into the platysmal bands is minimal and most patients tolerate the treatment well. Your injector will review your medical history, lifestyle, and anatomy to determine if you are a good candidate with little associated risk.
The first step to treating neck bands is to schedule a consultation with an injector at Northwest Face & Body. At this appointment, they will first want to know what you to achieve. They may also inquire about your medical history and lifestyle. Finally, they will also examine the platysmal bands themselves and the surrounding skin to ensure Botox is the right treatment to achieve your goals. If it is, they will proceed to describe the procedure and expected results. In some cases, they may continue with the injections on the same day.
If Botox is not ideal for treating the neck area, they will likely provide alternative treatments that will help you see the results you want. A few examples of other procedures that can enhance the neck area include RF microneedling, chemical peels, and laser treatments.
The Botox injections themselves take around ten to fifteen minutes to complete. Your injector will ask you to say the letter E or similar to flex the platysma muscle. This will help them precisely place the Botox. With injection points roughly two centimeters apart, your injector will administer a small amount of Botox down each band.
Botox injections use a small needle and generally are not overly painful. However, your injector may apply numbing cream to the treatment area before beginning the procedure. They may also make use of a vibration device that distracts the brain from the feeling of the injections.
Botox for platysmal bands has little aftercare or effect on your everyday life. However, you may need to make some adjustments for one to two days. A few examples of recommended aftercare instructions your injector gives may include:
Patients can return to work immediately after treatment, but injectors usually recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day. If you have a physical job, you may consider getting Botox on a Friday, so that you will be able to return to full strenuous activity. Though, basic everyday activities like shopping, walking, and housework generally are not a problem following Botox for platysmal bands treatment.
Around 25 to 30 units of Botox are used to treat the platysmal bands. This comes to about two units per injection site. While this may not seem like a lot, it is enough to relax the platysmal bands enough to smooth the contour of the neck. It is also important to note that you do not want to totally freeze the movement since the platysma muscle serves several important functions.
Sometimes patients will start with a small amount of Botox to trial the results. After two weeks, they can come in for a touch-up appointment to evaluate the results and inject more if necessary. For those new to Botox, this is a great way to have peace of mind about the treatment.
Anyone who experiences severe neck banding during everyday actions is likely a good candidate. It is normal to see mild banding, even in young people, when making certain expressions or sounds. Also, the platysma muscle in patients who are candidates for Botox treatment is often still fairly taut and strong. If the muscle is relaxed or if there are large amounts of extra, sagging skin on the neck, the patient may be a better candidate for a platysmaplasty or neck lift.
Otherwise, good candidates will be in generally good health. Ideally, Botox patients do not smoke and they have realistic expectations. Based on your specifics, our injectors will then craft a personalized treatment plan.
Yes, several treatment options can help treat and prevent neck aging. Depending on what you want to treat, possible other procedures include:
During your consultation, your injector will evaluate whether one of these procedures may better suit your needs. They may also recommend additional procedures to help prevent and treat another sign of aging that Botox may not address.
The cost of Botox for platysmal bands in Bellevue will depend on the number of units required for treatment and the provider you choose. Botox pricing starts at $199 for 20 units with a nurse injector. You can find more information about our Bellevue Botox pricing on our price list.
We do work with Allē Rewards and outside financing companies including Care Credit. You can find more about financing on the financing tab of the price list. If you are interested in multiple procedures, Price Simulator can help you add up the costs for a tentative price quote.
Northwest Face & Body is a premier plastic surgery practice serving the Bellevue and Kirkland areas. Our qualified injectors treat hundreds of patients every month and specialize in neuromodulator injections and treatments. With the knowledge and experience necessary to inject Botox for ideal cosmetic outcomes Northwest Face & Body offers the best Botox for platysmal bands Bellevue and Kirkland provide.
The injectors at Northwest Face & Body come from a diverse set of backgrounds. From Registered Nurses to plastic surgeons, our injectors underwent rigorous training to become cosmetic injectors. Our injectors also include aesthetic medicine physicians who are doctors that use their medical knowledge to offer high quality Botox and dermal filler injections.
To schedule a consultation with an injector at Northwest Face & Body, call us at 425-576-1700. You can also contact us via our contact form or Price Simulator app.