What is Neck Banding?
Neck bands, also called platysmal bands, are a common problem in the aging neck. The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle which creates the contour of the neck. Like all skeletal muscles, the platysma is encased in a layer of connective tissue called investing fascia. As we age, small tears can occur in the investing fascia, allowing a strip of muscle to pop out from the angle between the neck and submental area when the muscle flexes. This creates the band that we see. These bands can occur singly or in multiple locations.
What treats Neck Banding?
There are several options for treatment of neck bands. The first thing to try in most cases is to use a neuromodulator like Botox to relax the area of muscle that pops out, eliminating the band. This is an office procedure that is fast and effective with no down time. Our doctors are experts in the use of neuromodulators for improving the aesthetics of the face and neck and they will evaluate whether this office treatment can be beneficial for you.
When is surgery necessary for Neck Banding?
In some cases the neck bands need to be addressed surgically. If neck bands are present in a patient having a facelift or necklift procedure they are routinely divided or excised. Sometimes if neck bands are an isolated problem a limited incision approach may be used to access and divide the bands, allowing them to lie flat even when the muscle contracts.
Neck bands can be an annoying aesthetic problem. Fortunately, there are a range of options to treat them.
