Skin Guide · Oct 2026
Skin Guide
Bands, not loose skin
Neck Botox relaxes the platysma to soften vertical bands and sharpen the jaw edge. It does not tighten loose skin.
Muscle
not
skin
Maylin Apgujeong
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Not a patient
Skin Guide · Botox
Neck Botox for Platysmal Bands: What It Can and Cannot Change
Neck Botox relaxes the platysma, the thin sheet of muscle at the front of the neck. When that muscle pulls into vertical cords, often called platysmal bands, or drags the jawline down, softening it can make the neck look smoother and the jaw edge a little cleaner. It is an extension of Botox treatment that suits muscle bands, not loose skin or fat.
Maylin Apgujeong · Skin Guide
What the platysma does
The platysma runs from the collarbones up over the jaw. You can see it tighten when you grimace or strain. With age and habit, its front edges can separate and show as two or more vertical bands. The same muscle pulls down on the jawline, which can blur its edge.
Who it suits
- Visible bands that stand out when you tense your neck or talk.
- A slightly softened jawline where the downward pull is part of the cause.
- People who want a subtle refresh rather than surgery.
It is not the answer for heavy loose skin, horizontal creases that are etched into the skin, or fat under the chin. Those need different treatments, and a doctor will say so at consultation.
What the treatment involves
- The doctor asks you to tense your neck to see the bands clearly and marks them.
- Small injections are placed along the bands and, if planned, along the jawline.
- It takes minutes, with no downtime. Avoid massaging the neck and skip heavy exercise and saunas for the rest of the day.
When you will see the result
- First week: the bands begin to relax.
- Around 2 weeks: the full effect shows.
- About 3 to 4 months: the effect fades as the muscle recovers.
When you will see the change
Why dosing matters in the neck
The neck contains muscles used for swallowing and speaking. That is why neck Botox is placed in the superficial muscle only and the dose is kept conservative. Treated this way, side effects are uncommon. Tell the doctor if you have any swallowing or voice problems before treatment.
Side effects to know about
- Small bruises or tenderness at the injection points.
- A tired feeling in the neck for a few days.
- Rarely, mild difficulty swallowing or neck weakness if too much is used. This is temporary.
Botox is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for people with certain neuromuscular conditions.
Combining with the jaw
Some people treat the neck at the same visit as masseter Botox for jaw slimming. The jaw treatment narrows the lower face; the neck treatment softens the bands below it. Each is planned on its own.
Doing it safely in Seoul
At Maylin Apgujeong, a doctor examines your neck at rest and in motion, keeps the dose conservative, and explains in writing what it can and cannot change. Consultation is in English.
How many units for the neck?
Neck treatment usually needs more product than the face because the bands are long. A commonly cited range is around 20 to 50 units in total, spread along the bands. Higher doses raise the risk of side effects, so the dose is kept to what your bands need.
Unit numbers here are in Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) units; other products are dosed differently, so numbers are not interchangeable.
Can it fix a saggy neck?
No. Neck Botox relaxes the muscle bands and can sharpen the jawline slightly, but it does not tighten loose skin or remove fat. For skin laxity, energy devices or surgery are the relevant options, and we will tell you which applies.
FAQ
What are platysmal bands?
Vertical cords at the front of the neck formed by the platysma muscle.
Does neck Botox tighten loose skin?
No. It relaxes muscle bands. Loose skin needs lifting or tightening treatments.
How long does it last?
Usually about three to four months.
Is it safe for swallowing?
With superficial placement and a conservative dose, problems are uncommon and temporary if they occur.
Is Botox in the neck a good idea?
For visible vertical bands, it can be. It is less helpful for loose skin or fat under the chin.
Can Botox fix a saggy neck?
Not on its own. It relaxes bands; it does not tighten loose skin.
How many units of Botox for the neck?
Commonly around 20 to 50 units in total, in Botox units, depending on the bands.
Can neck Botox go wrong?
Uncommonly. Too much product can cause neck weakness or difficulty swallowing, which is why doses are kept conservative and placed superficially.
Plan a visit: send a photo of your neck while you tense it on WhatsApp, LINE, or KakaoTalk, and we will tell you whether treatment is likely to help, in English, before you land.
This guide comes from Maylin Clinic Apgujeong, the Apgujeong branch of the Maylin Doctor Network in Gangnam, Seoul. You can meet our doctors before you book.
General information, not medical advice for your individual case. What is appropriate depends on your history and on an examination. See also our Medical Disclaimer and Medical Review Process.
Published · Updated
Medically reviewed by Hyoung Moon Kim, MD, PhD on .
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