Vertical strips of muscle run on each side of your neck. We call these platysmal bands. They come from contractions of the platysma – the outermost facial and neck muscle. While harmless, some dislike their cosmetic effect. Saggy skin, double chins, neck creases, and “turkey necks” can result. Yet options exist to address pronounced platysmal bands. Let’s discuss their causes and treatments.
Though not risky for your health, many wish to minimize platysmal bands’ appearance. The platysma’s repeated tightening leaves creases like vertical cords under skin. A sagging or loose neck displays these pronounced bands. Some describe this look like a turkey’s wrinkled neck skin – hence “turkey neck.” However, solutions can reduce platysmal band visibility, restoring a smoother neck contour.
Noticeable platysmal bands concern some cosmetically, appearing as loose skin, neck folds, and hanging under-chin areas. Though posing no medical issues, aesthetic options can treat the visible effect of contracted platysma muscles creating vertical banding on the neck. We’ll examine what prompts these bands and treatment possibilities.
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What Causes Platysmal Banding in the Neck?
Based on the search results, the key reasons for platysmal banding in the neck are:
Aging and Loss of Skin Elasticity
Our skin and muscles lose elasticity as we grow older. This causes the skin over the platysma muscle to weaken and sag, resulting in visible bands.
Genetics
Genetic factors play a role. Some individuals may have a family history that makes them more prone to developing these bands.
Weight Gain or Loss
Significant weight gain or loss can stretch or loosen the neck skin, accentuating the platysmal bands.
Sun Exposure
Sun exposure damages skin over time. UV radiation from the sun accelerates aging and contributes to the formation of these bands.
Smoking
Smoking speeds up skin aging, making platysmal bands more noticeable.
Facial Expressions and Muscle Activity
Facial movements like frowning or clenching teeth repeatedly contract the platysma muscle, leading to band formation.
Poor Posture
Poor posture strains neck muscles over time. This sustained strain can also cause platysmal bands to develop.
In essence, the primary causes are aging, genetics, weight fluctuations, sun exposure, smoking habits, facial expressions, and poor posture.
How to treat Platysmal Bands?
One of the earliest indications of aging in the neck are vertical cords called platysmal bands, sometimes referred to as neck bands. For platysmal bands, there are various efficient treatment approaches available:
Botox Injections
To temporarily relax and weaken the platysma muscle and lessen the appearance of the bands, Botox can be injected directly into the muscle. This is a minimally invasive, non-surgical alternative that requires little recovery time.
Platysmaplasty
This is a surgical technique in which the surgeon repositions or rejoins the divided sides of the platysma muscles to tighten them. Compared to Botox, this may produce outcomes that are more durable.
Lower Facelift
By pulling and realigning the platysma muscle, the surgeon can also treat platysmal bands during a lower facelift. This procedure is frequently combined with a platysmaplasty.
Dermal Fillers
By adding hyaluronic acid to the skin, dermal fillers can smooth and plump the appearance of platysmal bands, giving the skin a more youthful appearance. Usually, the effects are momentary but fleeting.
Laser Treatments
Although the effects may be more subdued, techniques like IPL photofacials and Fraxel laser can help improve the appearance of platysmal bands by promoting collagen production and skin tightening.
The most effective treatment relies on the severity of the bands, the patient’s skin laxity, and their cosmetic goals. To choose the best course of action, speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist.
Do exercises using Platysmal Bands work?
The platysma, a muscle that runs down from your jaw to your chest, can become saggy if you don’t exercise it. But worry not! Some straightforward moves can put that thing in shape. Research indicates they reduce neck pain, improve posture, and fight those unsightly neck bands.
Here’s the rundown: Pull your head forward, then back, against resistance. Shift left to right too. Stick your tongue out to stretch that platysma good. Easy, right? Keep at it consistently to strengthen and tighten that area for a youthful look.
Now, neck exercises can’t magically erase existing bands. But diligent practice prevents them from worsening by keeping that all-important platysma muscle strong and healthy. So work it regularly to minimize those pesky lines!
In short, show your neck some TLC through simple resistance moves. The results? Reduced pain, better posture, and a smoother, more toned neckline.
How long does it take to see results from Platysmal Bands exercises?
Search results indicate the time needed to see platysmal band exercise results can vary. Small improvements may come within a year, but major changes take prolonged, consistent effort.
Exercises targeting the platysma muscle were found to reduce neck pain, disability, and improve posture after consistent yearly practice. Starting slow until strength and flexibility develop in the neck is vital.
While platysmal bands may not vanish completely, targeted exercises keep the platysma strong and healthy, preventing bands from worsening. However, minimizing bands’ appearance requires long-term, targeted exercise over many months or years.
So remember – a year brings posture and muscle tone gains from platysmal band exercises. But significant reduction in visible bands takes slow progressions over extended periods. The key? Starting gently, gradually intensifying as neck muscles build strength and flexibility.
Benefits to doing Platysmal Band exercises besides reducing neck pain?
The search results show platysmal band exercises have more benefits apart from reducing neck pain:
1. They improve head posture and decrease neck disability. Resistance band exercises targeting the platysma muscle were found to enhance posture and lessen disability.
2. They strengthen and tone the platysma muscle. These exercises help the platysma stay strong and healthy, preventing it from weakening, which can cause sagging skin and neck bands.
3. They prevent and minimize the appearance of neck bands. While the exercises may not completely eliminate existing bands, they help stop them from becoming more pronounced by maintaining a strong platysma.
4. They promote collagen and elastin production. When the platysma is strong and healthy, it can aid the production of these important skin proteins.
5. They enhance the neck and jawline’s appearance. By strengthening the platysma, they create a more youthful, tightened look in that area.
In brief, platysmal band exercises offer benefits beyond just neck pain relief. They improve posture, strengthen underlying muscles, prevent and minimize visible bands, and enhance the neck and jawline’s appearance. Consistent practice is recommended for optimal results.
FAQ’s
What are the non-surgical treatments for Platysmal Banding?
Platysmal banding can be treated without surgery using various non-invasive methods. Botox injections relax platysma muscles, reducing their visibility. Laser treatments like Morpheus and Fractora rejuvenate and retexture skin. Kybella minimizes double chin appearance while dermal fillers soften deep wrinkles. Radiofrequency treatments such as Forma and Exilis tighten loose skin, promoting collagen production. The minimally invasive PDO thread lift stimulates collagen formation.
How long does it take to recover from Platysmaplasty Surgery?
Patients must relax after a neck lift surgery. Recovery takes 4-6 weeks. Bruising and swelling occur for 2-3 weeks, then it goes away. They should rest, keep their heads up. Light exercise can start after one week. Stitches are removed around this time too. Incisions mostly heal by then. But it may take 3-6 months for full results to show.
What are the risks associated with Platysmaplasty Surgery?
After getting a neck lift, there are some risks to watch out for. Deep vein thrombosis – clots forming in veins. Bleeding and bruising may occur. Your skin might feel numb or tingly. Infection is possible, as is pain. Scarring might not look great, or results could be uneven. You may not love the new look. Anesthesia carries dangers too. But, a skilled plastic surgeon makes these risks unlikely.
What is the success rate of closed Platysmotomy Procedure?
Closed platysmotomy enhances neck look, improves shape. It requires making small holes reaching platysma muscle bands, avoiding obvious scars. Studies show patient bands haven’t recurred. Streamlined closed platysmotomy also effective. Cervicoplasty surgeries had positive 5-year follow-up results. Overall, closed platysmotomy yields high success rates rejuvenating necks, contouring better shapes.
