You’ve probably seen the "Nefertiti Lift" trending on TikTok or Instagram, where someone’s jawline suddenly looks sharp enough to cut glass. It's wild. People are ditching the scarves and high-neck sweaters because they've discovered that botox in neck before and after photos aren't just lighting tricks or clever Photoshop. They're real.
But here’s the thing.
Most people think Botox is just for forehead wrinkles or those pesky crow's feet. They don't realize that the neck is actually one of the most expressive, muscular parts of the body. When those muscles get overactive, everything starts to sag. It’s like a tug-of-war where your neck is winning and your jawline is losing.
Honestly, the results can be life-changing for some, but it’s not a magic eraser for everyone. If you’re dealing with "turkey neck" caused by actual loose skin, neurotoxins won't fix that. You need to know the difference before you drop $600 at a medspa.
Why Your Neck Changes (And Why Botox Actually Works)
The culprit is usually the platysma muscle. Think of it as two wide, thin sheets of muscle that run from your jawline down to your collarbones.
As we age, these muscles can get thick and "banded." When you clench your jaw or grimace, you see those vertical ropes popping out? Those are platysmal bands. Because these muscles pull downward, they constantly tug on your lower face. Over time, this contributes to jowls and a softened jawline.
By injecting Botox—or Dysport, or Xeomin—directly into these bands, a dermatologist or nurse injector basically tells those muscles to chill out. When the downward pull stops, the upward-pulling muscles of the face take over. The result? A visible lift.
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Real Botox in Neck Before and After: What to Expect
If you look at clinical studies or real-patient galleries from providers like Dr. Shereene Idriss or Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, the "before" is usually characterized by prominent vertical bands and a lack of definition between the neck and the chin.
The "after" is subtle but significant.
The First Week
You won't see anything immediately. This isn't filler. You’ll walk out of the clinic looking exactly the same, maybe with a few tiny red dots that vanish in an hour. Around day five, you might feel a weird "tightness" or just a sense that it’s harder to purposefully make those neck ropes pop out.
The Peak (Two Weeks In)
This is when the botox in neck before and after transformation really hits. The vertical bands should be nearly invisible when you talk or move. The skin often looks smoother because the muscle underneath isn't constantly bunching it up.
- Vertical bands: Gone or significantly softened.
- Horizontal "necklace lines": These are trickier. Botox helps if they are caused by muscle movement, but if they are deep etched-in skin creases, you might need a skin booster or laser too.
- Jawline definition: The "Nefertiti effect" usually peaks here, giving the appearance of a more contoured lower face.
The Cost of a "Snatched" Neck
Let's talk money because it’s rarely cheap. The neck is a large area. While your forehead might only need 20 units, a full neck treatment can easily require 40 to 60 units of Botox.
At a standard rate of $12 to $18 per unit, you’re looking at $500 to $1,000 per session. And since the neck is a very mobile area, the results tend to wear off faster than they do in the upper face. You’re likely looking at a refresh every 3 to 4 months if you want to maintain that crisp look.
Is It Safe? (The "Internal" Perspective)
You have to be careful here. The neck houses your windpipe, your vocal cords, and the muscles that help you swallow.
If an injector goes too deep or uses too much product, you could technically experience "dysphagia"—which is just a fancy medical word for difficulty swallowing. It’s rare, but it happens. This is exactly why you don't go to a "Botox party" in someone's basement for this specific procedure. You need an expert who knows the anatomy of the platysma like the back of their hand.
Dr. Matarasso, a well-known plastic surgeon, often points out that patient selection is the most important factor. If you have significant submental fat (a double chin) or "crepey" skin texture, Botox isn't going to give you that "after" photo you’re dreaming of. In those cases, Kybella or a neck lift is usually the better call.
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The Tech Neck Factor
We’re all staring at our phones. All day. This constant downward gaze is creating deeper horizontal lines in younger and younger people. It's basically an epidemic of "tech neck."
Botox can help prevent these lines from getting deeper by weakening the "scrunching" action, but it’s a preventative measure, not a cure for poor posture. If you get the injections but keep spending 8 hours a day with your chin tucked to your chest, you’re basically fighting a losing battle.
Comparing Botox to Other Neck Treatments
Sometimes Botox is the hero. Sometimes it’s just the sidekick.
- Botox vs. Kybella: Kybella dissolves fat. Botox relaxes muscle. If your "before" is a pocket of fat under the chin, Botox won't touch it.
- Botox vs. Ultherapy: Ultherapy uses ultrasound to tighten the skin. Often, doctors will combine these. Ultherapy for the "shrink wrap" effect on the skin, and Botox for the "smoothing" effect on the muscles.
- Botox vs. The Knife: A surgical neck lift is permanent (well, for 10-15 years). Botox is a temporary band-aid. But for someone in their 30s or 40s who isn't ready for surgery, it’s a massive win.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think they can just get Botox in the neck and it will tighten "everything."
It won't.
It specifically targets the muscular bands. It doesn't actually tighten the skin itself—it just stops the muscle from pulling the skin into weird shapes. If you grab the skin on your neck and it feels like thin tissue paper that doesn't snap back, you’re dealing with a loss of collagen and elastin. Botox doesn't fix collagen. For that, you’d be looking at things like microneedling or Radiesse washes.
How to Prep for Your Appointment
Don't just walk in and say "give me neck Botox."
- Stop the thinners: Avoid Advil, fish oil, and vitamin E for a week prior. The neck is vascular; you will bruise like a peach if you don't.
- The "Grimace Test": Practice clenching your teeth and saying "EEEE" in the mirror. See those bands? That's what the doctor needs to see to map out your injections.
- Timing: Don't do this two days before a gala or a wedding. Give it two weeks to settle.
Actionable Insights for the Best Results
If you are serious about pursuing this, do not shop by price. Shop by the "before and after" gallery of the specific injector.
- Ask for a "Nefertiti Lift" specifically: This ensures the injector understands you want jawline definition, not just band relaxation.
- Combine with Skincare: Use a dedicated neck cream with peptides or retinoids. Botox handles the "foundation," but skincare handles the "paint."
- Check your posture: Be mindful of how you hold your head while working.
- Budget for maintenance: Realize this is a $2,000+ yearly commitment if you want the results to stay.
The real secret to those incredible botox in neck before and after photos isn't just the toxin itself—it's the anatomy-first approach of a skilled provider who knows exactly when to use it and, more importantly, when to tell a patient it won't work for them.