Noticing lines or bands forming on your neck? These visible signs of aging—called neck bands or platysmal bands—can make your neck look loose, wrinkled, or less defined. They’re often caused by muscle changes, sun damage, or just getting older. If you’ve been wondering how to get rid of neck bands, there are effective treatments that can help you smooth and tighten your neck for a more youthful look.
Dr. Joanna Kam is a highly experienced doctor specializing in neck lift surgery, offering her patients a firmer and more youthful neck
What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Neck Bands Permanently?
- A neck lift is the most effective long-term solution for neck bands.
- It tightens the platysma muscle, which causes vertical banding as it weakens with age.
- Excess skin and fat are removed, improving neck contour and jawline definition.
- Results typically last 5–10 years, far outlasting non-surgical treatments.
- Ideal for moderate to severe neck bands that don’t respond to Botox or fillers.
What Are Neck Bands and Why Do They Appear as You Age?
Neck bands are those lines that show up on your neck, either vertical or horizontal. They’re pretty common, especially as you get older. These lines can lead to loose, saggy skin, messing with the smooth contour of your neck.
Neck bands form when the platysma muscle, which runs from your collarbones to your lower face, weakens and starts to sag. This can make you look older and sometimes even distract from your other good facial features. That’s why dealing with neck bands is key if you want your neck to look younger and more refreshed.
What Causes Neck Bands and Wrinkles in the Neck?
Neck bands can develop due to a few different factors.
- Lifestyle & Posture (“Tech Neck”)
Looking down at screens frequently contributes to horizontal wrinkles. Poor posture, smoking, dehydration, and stress further degrade skin quality - Aging & Collagen Loss
Skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity over time, revealing the underlying platysma muscle and creating visible vertical cords and horizontal creases - Muscle Activity (Platysma)
Repeated neck muscle contractions—such as facial expressions or lifting—cause the platysma to thicken and separate, forming pronounced bands - Sun (UV) Exposure
UV rays degrade collagen and elastin in neck skin—frequently neglected in sun protection—resulting in laxity and deepened lines - Genetics
Thin skin or a predisposition to early collagen loss makes some people develop neck bands earlier - Weight Fluctuations
Gaining or losing significant weight stretches skin; without rebound elasticity, this leads to sagging that accentuates bands and wrinkles
How Do Neck Bands Affect Facial Appearance and Jawline Definition?
Neck bands can have a big impact on how you look and feel about yourself. These wrinkles or folds in the neck can make your neck look older, which can detract from a youthful face.
They often make the skin look crepey and wrinkled, a common worry for many people, especially those in their 60s and beyond. In serious cases, sagging neck muscles can look like a double chin, which affects the jawline and overall facial aesthetics.
When the platysma muscle weakens and sags, it can create medial neck bands. These are particularly noticeable and can look like “necklace lines” or “turkey neck,” drawing unwanted attention and making you look older.
How Does a Neck Lift Procedure Fix Neck Bands and Sagging Skin?
A neck lift, also known as platysmaplasty, is a cosmetic procedure that helps improve the look of your neck by addressing the causes of neck bands. Here’s how it works:
- Incision: A small cut is made under your chin.
- Muscle Tightening: The platysma muscle, which can sag and cause neck bands, is tightened with stitches. In addition, excess skin is trimmed.
- Fat Removal: If needed, excess fat tissue is removed to enhance the contour of your neck and jawline.
This procedure focuses on the area below your chin and above your collarbone. It’s less invasive than many other facial surgeries and can rejuvenate your neck, making it look smoother and more youthful.
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What Are the Benefits of a Neck Lift for Neck Bands and Aging Skin?
A neck lift surgery can be a great option if you’re unhappy with the look of neck bands. Here are the main benefits:
- Smoother Neck: It results in a smoother, younger-looking neck, free from wrinkles and folds.
- Tightened Skin: The procedure tightens loose neck skin, which helps reduce a wrinkled appearance.
- Fat Reduction: It removes excess fat, enhancing the contour of your neck.
- Defined Jawline: By improving the neck’s contour, gives you a more defined jawline.
Overall, this cosmetic surgery doesn’t just target neck bands but also improves the overall appearance and tone of your neck, making you look younger and more refreshed.
Can You Treat Neck Bands Without Surgery? Non-Surgical Option
Not everyone is ready for surgery — and thankfully, several non-surgical options can help reduce the appearance of neck bands. These are ideal for people with mild to moderate neck banding and include injectables, laser therapies, and skin-tightening procedures.
Botox Injections for Vertical Neck Bands
Botox (botulinum toxin) can relax the platysma muscle, which is responsible for vertical neck bands. When injected strategically, Botox softens these lines, making the neck appear smoother and more youthful.
Duration: 3–4 months
Ideal for: Early-stage or moderate vertical bands
Dermal Fillers for Horizontal Neck Lines (“Tech Neck”)
Injectable fillers such as hyaluronic acid (HA) can plump up deep horizontal lines, often caused by looking down at devices (aka “tech neck”).
Duration: 6–12 months
Ideal for: Fine to moderate horizontal creases
Radiofrequency (RF) and Ultrasound Skin Tightening
Treatments like Thermage or Ultherapy use energy to stimulate collagen and tighten loose skin on the neck. These procedures are non-invasive and require little to no downtime.
Results: Gradual, over 2–3 months
Ideal for: Mild skin laxity and crepey texture
Laser Resurfacing
Fractional lasers like Fraxel can help improve skin texture, boost collagen, and reduce fine lines around the neck. While not a primary treatment for deep bands, they’re a good complementary option.
Results: After a few sessions
Ideal for: Skin texture and superficial lines
Microneedling with Radiofrequency
Devices like Morpheus8 combine microneedling and radiofrequency to tighten skin and stimulate deeper collagen remodeling.
Results: Build up over multiple treatments
Ideal for: Early sagging and overall neck rejuvenation
When Are Non-Surgical Treatments Not Enough?
While non-surgical options can provide temporary or subtle improvements, they may not be enough for deeper or more prominent neck bands — especially those caused by muscle laxity or excess skin. In such cases, a surgical neck lift is the most effective and long-lasting solution.
What Is Recovery Like After a Neck Lift for Neck Bands?
Recovering from this surgical procedure usually takes about 1-3 weeks, but this can vary. You might feel mild to moderate discomfort, swelling, and bruising. Your doctor will prescribe medications to help manage these symptoms. Neck tightness is common because of the muscle tightening. Here’s what you can expect and how to care for yourself:
- Activity: You can return to normal activities after about a week. However, avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting until your cosmetic surgeon gives the all-clear, which usually takes a few more weeks.
- Head Elevation: Keep your head elevated, especially while sleeping. This helps reduce swelling.
- Compression Garment: Wear a compression garment as directed to support healing.
- Avoid Alcohol and Aspirin: These can interfere with healing, so it’s important to avoid them.
- Follow-Up: Follow your surgeon’s instructions carefully, including attending all follow-up appointments.
Taking these steps will help ensure a smooth recovery and the best possible results from your neck lift.
What Kind of Results Can You Expect from a Neck Lift?
This procedure goes beyond surface-level fixes—it’s designed to restore a smoother, firmer neck and a more defined jawline. Here’s what a neck lift can do for you:
- Boost self-confidence by helping you look and feel more refreshedeps will help ensure a smooth recovery and the best possible results from your neck lift.
- Smooth out neck bands by tightening the underlying platysma muscle
- Remove loose skin and fat for a firmer, more youthful neck
- Sharpen jawline definition, reducing the look of a double chin
- Deliver long-lasting results, typically lasting 5–10 years
TRANSFORMATIVE EFFECTS OF A NECK LIFT
Dr. Joanna Kam is a facial plastic surgeon in Voorhees and Sewell, NJ. She is an expert in cosmetic facial plastic surgery and reconstruction and customizes procedures to meet her patients’ needs. If you’re considering a neck lift, contact Kam Plastic Surgery and schedule a consultation with Dr. Kam. She will discuss your options and help you determine the best course of action for your unique needs.
