Ask Dr. Kirby: How Can I Treat Neck Bands?

Here’s how neuromodulators like Xeomin and Botox can treat neck bands

Just like the skin on our faces, our neck skin experiences a loss of elastin and collagen over time as part of the natural aging process. This can result in neck bands caused by changes to the platysma muscle, which is the flat muscle surrounding the front of the neck. As we age, the muscle pulls apart and rolls up into bands extending from under the chin to the lower neck.

But don’t worry! Thanks to advances in the field of aesthetic dermatology, non-invasive neuromodulators, like Xeomin and Botox, can now effectively treat neck bands. Chief Medical Officer and celebrity dermatologist Dr. Will Kirby and his clinical team at LaserAway gave Life & Style Magazine the lowdown on how this treatment option works. Here are the highlights: 

What causes neck bands?

Our neck changes as we age. According to LaserAway Nurse Practitioner  Morgan Wolf, “The platysma stretches from our collarbone to the lower portion of our jawbone, and it is, in large part, responsible for how our neck looks.” LaserAway registered nurse Jessica Graybill elaborates, “As we age, and with repeated use over time, the platysma muscle may slowly weaken and droop in some patients. This may lead to a poorly defined, amorphic contour of the neck in some individuals. Worse still, it can contribute to the formation of unattractive jowls.” That’s a lot of clinical jargon, right? Simply put, the muscle in your neck wears out over time, and the skin around it loses laxity and volume, resulting in neck bands and jowls. 

How can I prevent neck bands?

There are a few things you can do to keep your neck area in tip-top shape! One of the most important things you can do to protect your skin’s elasticity and structure is to avoid excessive sun exposure. This means wearing protective clothing and SPF anytime you go outside. The same skincare routine you use on your face should also be extended to your neck — if you use vitamin C serum or retinoids on your face, their amazing properties can benefit your neck, too! 

How can I treat neck bands?

According to Dr. Will Kirby, Xeomin and Botox are both neuromodulators “commonly associated with erasing fine lines and wrinkles on the face, such as crow’s feet, vertical frown lines, and horizontal forehead lines.” But, these neuromodulators can also be “extremely effective for reducing the appearance of the platysmal bands that affect the neck.” In short, Xeomin and Botox injections can minimize or slow the progression of jowls and neck bands. Hooray! 

How do neuromodulators work exactly? Botox and Xeomin are both neuromodulators that attach to nerve endings in muscles, blocking acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for triggering muscle contractions. Neuromodulator injections temporarily relax the muscles that underlie and cause neck wrinkles. Botox and Xeomin both have the ability to minimize or slow the progression of jowls. Pretty amazing, right?

Want to learn more about Xeomin and Botox treatments for neck bands? Book a free no-obligation consultation with one of our treatment specialists here.