You know that feeling when you catch a glimpse of yourself in a Zoom call or a stray window reflection and realize your neck looks... different? It’s not just aging. It's that specific sagging, those vertical cords that pop out when you’re stressed, and the general "softness" under the jawline that we’ve collectively labeled "turkey neck." Honestly, it’s frustrating. You’re slathering on expensive retinol creams and doing "face yoga" in your car, but the skin still looks like it’s losing the fight against gravity.
So, you start Googling. You see botox for turkey neck before and after photos. Some look like absolute magic—sudden, crisp jawlines and smooth skin. Others? Well, they look barely different. It makes you wonder if you’re looking at a legitimate medical solution or just really good lighting and a bit of "influencer" posing.
Here is the truth. Botox isn’t a neck lift. It won't cut away excess skin. But for the right person, it is a total game-changer for that "turkey" appearance.
What’s Actually Happening Under the Skin?
Most people think "turkey neck" is just loose skin. It’s more complicated than that. You have a thin, sheet-like muscle called the platysma that runs from your jawline down to your collarbone. As we age, this muscle gets overactive or separates into distinct bands. When you talk or make faces, these bands pull down on your face.
Think of it like a set of tight rubber bands pulling your lower face toward your chest.
That’s where the "Nefertiti Lift" comes in. Named after the Egyptian Queen known for her bone structure, this technique uses Botox (botulinum toxin) to relax those downward-pulling muscles. By relaxing the platysma, the muscles in your upper face can finally pull upward without resistance. It’s basically a tug-of-war where Botox just told the "down" team to stop pulling so hard.
Botox for Turkey Neck Before and After: The Real Results
If you look at a genuine botox for turkey neck before and after gallery from a reputable dermatologist, you’ll notice something. The best results aren't on people with significant "wattle" or heavy fat deposits. Instead, the "after" photos that look the most impressive usually belong to patients who had prominent vertical neck bands (platysmal bands).
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In the "before" shots, these people look like they’re straining. Their necks have two or four vertical cords that stick out, making the neck look older and more "stringy."
In the "after" shots, about 10 to 14 days later, those cords are gone. The neck looks smoother. The jawline looks more defined because the muscle isn't dragging the skin down anymore. It’s subtle. You won’t look like you’ve had surgery, but you will look like you’ve had a really long, expensive nap.
The Realistic Timeline
It isn't instant.
Don't expect to walk out of the clinic looking like a supermodel. You'll probably have tiny little bumps—sorta like bee stings—for about 20 minutes. Then, nothing happens for a few days. Around day five, you might feel a weird "tightness" or just a lack of tension. By day 14, you see the full effect. This lasts anywhere from three to five months, depending on how fast your metabolism chews through the toxin.
Why Some People Hate Their Results
I’ve talked to people who felt they wasted $600 on this. Usually, it’s because they weren't good candidates to begin with. Botox fixes muscle issues, not fat issues.
If your "turkey neck" is caused by submental fullness (a double chin) or extremely lax, "crepey" skin that has lost all its elasticity, Botox will do almost nothing. In those cases, you’re looking at Kybella for fat dissolving, or perhaps MyEllevate or a traditional neck lift for the skin.
Dr. Shereene Idriss, a well-known board-certified dermatologist, often emphasizes that Botox is a "modulator." It changes how things move. If your neck looks bad even when you’re perfectly still and not tensing your muscles, Botox might not be the primary tool you need. You have to be honest with yourself about what you’re seeing in the mirror. Pull your skin back with your fingers. If it takes three inches of pulling to make it look smooth, a needle isn't going to fix that.
The Cost Factor: More Units Than You Think
Here is a detail that catches people off guard. Your forehead might only need 10 to 20 units of Botox. Your neck? It’s a massive muscle.
Getting a "Nefertiti Lift" or treating platysmal bands often requires 20 to 50 units. If your injector is charging $15 a unit, you’re looking at a $300 to $750 treatment every few months. It adds up. Some people prefer to save that money for a one-time surgical procedure that lasts a decade. Others love the "no downtime" aspect of Botox and happily pay the "subscription fee" for a smooth neck.
Potential Side Effects (The Scary Stuff)
It's rare, but things can go sideways. Since the platysma is a superficial muscle, the Botox needs to stay "high." If an inexperienced injector goes too deep, they can hit the muscles responsible for swallowing or moving your tongue.
There have been cases where people experienced:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
- A weakened smile.
- Neck weakness (feeling like your head is heavy).
This is why you don't go to a "Botox party" in a basement for this. You want someone who knows the anatomy of the neck like the back of their hand.
Comparing Botox to Other "Neck Fixes"
Let's look at the landscape. You have a few options if the botox for turkey neck before and after photos don't quite match your specific needs.
1. Radiofrequency Microneedling (Morpheus8, etc.)
This is for the "crepey" skin. It uses heat to shrink-wrap the skin. It hurts. It requires downtime. But it actually addresses the skin quality, which Botox doesn't touch.
2. Kybella
This is an acid that melts fat. If your turkey neck is actually a "fat pad," Botox won't help, but Kybella will. Just be prepared for the "bullfrog" swelling that lasts a week.
3. The Surgical Neck Lift
The gold standard. If you’re over 55 and have significant sagging, this is usually the only thing that provides that "wow" before and after.
How to Get the Best Results
If you decide to go through with it, there are a few ways to ensure you’re in the "successful" category of patients.
First, do the "strain test." Look in the mirror and say the letter "E" very forcefully. Do those bands pop out? If yes, you’re a great candidate. If your neck stays smooth but just looks "saggy," you might want to look into fillers or skin tightening instead.
Second, ask your injector how many units they typically use for the neck. If they say "five or ten," they probably aren't treating the whole muscle, and you'll be disappointed.
Third, don't massage the area. For 24 hours after the injections, leave it alone. You don't want that toxin migrating into your throat muscles.
The Verdict
Botox for a turkey neck isn't a miracle cure for everyone. It’s a specific tool for a specific problem. It excels at smoothing out those "turkey cords" and giving the jawline a subtle, temporary lift. It’s fantastic for people in their 30s and 40s who are just starting to see those vertical bands and want to get ahead of the aging process.
But if you’re looking for a total transformation of loose, hanging skin, you’ll likely find the results underwhelming.
Actionable Next Steps
- Perform a self-assessment: Stand in front of a mirror with good lighting. Tense your neck muscles (grimace or say "EEE"). If you see distinct, rope-like bands, Botox is likely to work well for you. If you only see soft, hanging skin regardless of muscle tension, schedule a consultation for skin tightening instead.
- Verify your provider: Ensure your injector is a Board-Certified Dermatologist or Plastic Surgeon. Ask specifically about their experience with the "Nefertiti Lift" and how they avoid the deeper swallowing muscles.
- Budget for maintenance: Recognize that this is a recurring cost. If you find the botox for turkey neck before and after results worth the price, plan for treatments every 4 months to maintain the relaxation of the platysmal bands.
- Combine treatments: For many, the best results come from "stacking." Consider Botox for the bands and a series of skin-quality treatments (like chemical peels or laser) to address the surface texture simultaneously.