Summary

• Platysmal bands are the vertical rope-like bands of muscle which protrude through the front of the neck
• They are caused by changes to the platysma muscle resulting from genetics, ageing and weight loss
• Platysmal bands are easily treated with non-surgical options such as Nefertiti Neck Lift, or a surgical Platysmaplasty
• Cadogan Clinic’s team of specialist Consultant Facial Surgeons are experts in all areas of platysmal band treatment

What Causes Platysmal Bands?

Platysmal bands have several causes, and it is important to understand why vertical neck bands have developed to determine the best treatment options and achieve the patient’s desired results.

Although in some cases, an individual will be aware of the reason they have visible neck tendons, for other patients a comprehensive assessment and diagnosis by a Consultant Facial Surgeon will be necessary to establish the cause and develop an effective treatment plan.

Causes of platysmal bands include:

Genetics

Genetics have a very strong role in determining whether someone will develop vertical neck banding due to their influence on:

• Anatomical structure
• Natural muscle tone
• Genetic predisposition

Although it isn’t always possible to determine whether someone will develop platysmal bands, if a patient has direct relatives who have been affected, they are more likely to develop the same concern themselves.

Ageing

Ageing is one of the most common causes of platysmal bands developing. As we age, collagen and elastin, proteins naturally found in the skin and muscles which provide structure and volume, break down and are produced more slowly. This leads to:

• The overlying skin becoming thinner and crepey, allowing the vertical neck bands to show through
• The platysma muscle to lose tone, causing sagging and loss of definition

The neck is one of the first areas to show signs of ageing, which can cause a prematurely aged appearance, affect confidence and increase self-consciousness.

Dramatic Weight Loss

Weight loss, whether through diet and exercise or Weight Loss Medication, can make platysmal bands more visible.

There are two factors which can lead to this:

• General loss of subcutaneous fat in the neck which was previously covering the platysma and disguising the appearance of vertical neck banding
• Weight loss causing a loss of tone and structure in the platysma muscle, resulting in the platysmal bands developing; this is more common with Weight Loss Medication, sometimes known as Ozempic Face

For some people, the significant achievement of weight loss may be overshadowed by certain side effects including the appearance of platysmal bands.

Muscle Activity and Separation

The platysma is a highly active muscle, involved in facial expressions, speaking and swallowing. Over time, it becomes shorter and thicker. This can lead to the edges of the muscle becoming more visible through the overlying skin.

The edges of the platysma muscle can also separate (diastasis) and roll up, causing the appearance of platysmal bands.

It is important to remember that it is almost impossible to avoid using the platysma muscle, but that people will be affected by muscle activity to different extents.

Platysmal bands can arise from several causes, which may not always be immediately obvious. A one-to-one consultation with a Consultant Facial Surgeon is the best way to determine the cause of platysmal bands and develop an effective, bespoke treatment plan.

How to Fix Platysmal Bands?

Cadogan Clinic, London is an award-winning surgical centre of excellence, which specialises in surgical and non-surgical treatments for platysmal bands.

All procedures at Cadogan Clinic are overseen by a Leadership team rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The best treatment for platysmal bands includes:

Nefertiti Neck Lift

A Nefertiti Neck Lift is a non-surgical platysmal bands treatment which relaxes the platysma and allows the overlying skin to sit smoothly.

During a Nefertiti Neck Lift, Anti-Ageing Injections are carefully placed into the neck, reducing muscle contractions by temporarily relaxing the muscle, and preventing the platysma from pulling the jawline downwards as strongly.

Following a Nefertiti Neck Lift, most patients notice their full results within 10-14 days and the effects last for 3-6 months. It is important to consider that the results of a Nefertiti Neck Lift aren’t permanent, and repeat treatments are required every few months to maintain results. However, for patients experiencing early signs of platysmal bands and seeking a simple treatment with minimal downtime to reduce their appearance, a Nefertiti Neck Lift is an effective and popular option.

Platysmaplasty

Also known as a Neck Lift, a Platysmaplasty is a surgical procedure that addresses a wide range of concerns affecting the neck, achieving a defined and balanced appearance.

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons reported that in 2024, the Neck Lift was the 14th most popular surgical procedure worldwide, and that they had seen a 90.1% increase in Neck Lifts performed between 2020 and 2024.

During a Platysmaplasty to treat platysmal bands, your surgeon will reshape and tighten the platysma muscle to reduce the appearance of the vertical neck banding.

As well as effectively addressing platysmal bands, a Neck Lift also removes excess and sagging skin and smooths neck lines to achieve a more comprehensive result than may be possible with non-surgical platysmal bands treatment. Additionally, the results are permanent, which allows for peace of mind in regard to follow-up treatments.

Fat Transfer

For some patients, Fat Transfer may provide an effective solution for platysmal bands.

After extracting excess fat from various areas of the body using Liposuction, it can be purified and carefully injected into the neck to remodel areas that have been affected by volume loss, allowing the platysmal bands to become more visible. Many patients choose to combine a Platysmaplasty with Fat Transfer to enhance their final results.

The founder of Cadogan Clinic, Mr. Bryan Mayou, first introduced Liposuction to the UK over 40 years ago. Since then, Cadogan Clinic has been at the forefront of Liposuction and Fat Transfer procedures and technology, offering the highest standards of patient care and results.

Various surgical and non-surgical treatments are available to relieve the physical and psychological symptoms of platysmal bands, which are offered at Cadogan Clinic's state-of-the-art facilities, based in Chelsea, London.

Words From Our Founder