28 May 2025 | by Dr. Leonard Miller
Reversing signs of aging in the neck has been a focal point of my career long before it became a media obsession. As a board-certified facial plastic surgeon, I have a deep understanding of how important the neck is both structurally and aesthetically. It not only supports your head, but the neck is the visual conduit between your upper body and torso. A long, lean neck can make a woman look and feel more youthful, elegant and slim while a crisp delineation at the jawline is a hallmark of masculinity. Unfortunately, the skin on your neck is some of the most delicate on the body. Furthermore, the tissues and muscles may be getting overtaxed thanks to our current “screen” culture. The end result is that aging on the neck is happening sooner and is more noticeable to patients as they are constantly looking at themselves on Zoom and social media. The latter has been a great tool for patient education, but it can also produce a lot of confusion. One of the questions that I get asked most often is: “What is the difference between neck lines and platysma bands?”.
What Are Neck Lines?
Neck lines refer to any horizontal or vertical crease in the skin and tissues of your neck. There are any number of underlying causes including:
- Genetics
- Age
- Sun exposure
- Environmental toxins
- Smoking
- Dehydration
- Poor skincare
- Bad posture
- Sleep position
- Repetitive movements
While genetics and age are out of your control, the good thing about most of the above factors is that they are lifestyle choices. And lifestyle choices can be changed. This does not mean that Father Time will not take his toll on your neck. He will. But choosing not to smoke, drinking enough water, staying out of the sun and adopting an appropriate skincare regime may all slow down the process.
Platsyma Bands Are a Type of Neck Line
Platysma bands are a specific type of neck line. They refer to two vertical bands or cords that develop due to a weakening and separation of the platysma muscles. This set of muscles run from your chest all the way up to your jaw. You’ve probably seen them pop when you jut your chin out, for example. Although they naturally become more prominent with age as your skin thins, repetitive movements such as looking down at your phone, laptop or tablet can noticeably weaken them. The natural loss of collagen and elastin in your skin and tissues combined with this muscle laxity is what can result in the appearance of a double chin, pudgy jawline and “turkey neck”.
Treatment Options for Neck Lines in Boston
The gold standard for treating moderate to severe neck lines is a surgical neck lift. However, there are a myriad of effective non-surgical and minimally invasive procedures to rejuvenate the neck. These include:
- Botox®
- Dermal Fillers
- Chemical Peel
- Lasers
- Matrix®RF
- Microneedling
- Profound®RF
At Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, we are specialists in the non-surgical neck lift which is a combination of procedures to address the various aspects of aging in the neck. The right combination for you is always going to depend on your unique anatomy, desired outcome and tolerance for downtime. This is why I always recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon such as myself. You want to see someone who performs the full range of neck rejuvenation options so that you are not being told to get a procedure simply because it’s the only kind on offer. Some patients are adverse to surgery while others are not yet candidates. I make a point of always being frank about what you can expect from any procedure. This way, you can make the decision that is right for you.
To find out more about neck rejuvenation, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Leonard Miller at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, contact us today or call (617) 402-2768 to schedule a consultation at his Boston or Brookline offices.
