Nefertiti Neck with Cosmetic Surgery

Without going to extremes, patients can have that lovely swan neck of the ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Is this true? Now you may have heard of the new, trendy “Nefertiti Lift.” As usual, this is just a new name for a rather traditional technique. This is simply a neck lift, which involves removing a small part of the muscle that extends from your collarbone to the angle of your jaw. Or, it can be a lower facelift that includes liposuction for the neck as well.

Recently, it has been trendy to claim this effect can be achieved with BOTOX® and various ultrasound and light treatments alone. It is being called a non invasive Nefertiti neck lift. What is being referred to is the use of Ulthera or Thermage, which both tighten skin while encouraging collagen growth. This in turn, tightens the skin that sags with age on the neck. The next claim is that Injections of BOTOX® are placed along the lower jawline and down the sides of the neck causing the neck muscles, along with the wrinkled skin to relax. Once these neck muscles are relaxed, the facial muscles will pull the fat and skin into place it is said.

There are two problems with this. It is not just the skin that begins to sag, it is also the platysma muscle that begins to fall with gravity. These light and ultrasound treatments only correct sagging skin, not the underlying structures, even with the collagen growth they encourage. The second issue is the claim that the facial muscles can lift fat and skin if the neck muscles are relaxed. The platysma muscle draws down the lower lip and the angles of the mouth. It also tenses the skin of the neck and helps depress the mandible. The most obvious expression the platysma muscle plays a part in is grimacing. When doing this, it wrinkles the skin of the neck slightly. However, the above mentioned facial muscles do not pull upward. Yes, there will be less wrinkling if you cannot grimace, but the facial muscles are also susceptible to gravity with aging as the underlying supporting SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) breaks down, so they too tend to drop down. These muscles cannot pull the neck tissue upward.

In short, patients can hold off a neck or face lift with Ulthera or Thermage at Little Rock Cosmetic Surgery Center. These treatments will tighten the skin of the neck in appropriate candidates. However, a neck lift, with or without a lower facelift is the only way to get dramatic results for that Nefertiti neck.

Dr Branman

Call Melinda at the front desk to set up your consultation with me. 501-277-0707