Neck Rejuvenation Options · Santa Monica
Neck Tightening Options at Kare Plastic Surgery
Choosing the right approach depends on the degree of aging, the primary concern, and how much improvement the patient is seeking. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each patient individually and often recommends a combination of treatments.
| Treatment |
Best For |
Downtime |
Duration of Results |
| Nefertiti Botox Necklift |
Platysma bands, jowling, early jawline loss, mild sagging |
None |
3 to 6 months |
| Ultherapy |
Loose neck skin, early turkey neck, cervicomental angle, under-chin laxity |
Minimal |
12 to 18 months |
| Fractional CO2 Laser |
Neck skin texture, horizontal creases, crepey skin, fine lines |
5 to 7 days |
1 to 2 years |
| Surgical Necklift |
Significant skin laxity, pronounced platysma bands, turkey neck, excess fat |
2 to 3 weeks |
7 to 10 years |
Kare Plastic Surgery · 804 7th Street, Santa Monica
Schedule Your Nefertiti Necklift Consultation with Dr. Karamanoukian
Neck Tightening Treatments at Kare Plastic Surgery Santa Monica
Dr. Karamanoukian offers the full range of non-surgical and surgical neck rejuvenation treatments and designs each patient's plan based on their anatomy, primary concerns, and goals. The four principal treatments are described in detail below.
Platysma Botox: The Nefertiti Necklift
The Nefertiti necklift uses Botox, Dysport, or Xeomin injected along a series of carefully mapped points on the lower jawline and into the platysma muscle bands of the neck. The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that runs from the collarbone through the neck and up into the lower face. As we age it becomes overactive and pulls the lower face and jowl tissue downward. Relaxing the platysma with Botox allows the upward-pulling facial muscles to reassert their lift and produce a smoothed, tightened appearance along the jaw and upper neck. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, requires no downtime, and produces visible results within 7 to 14 days as the neurotoxin fully relaxes the targeted muscle. Results last 3 to 6 months. Injections must be placed superficially in the neck to avoid the airway muscles, thyroid, and major vessels, which is why it is essential to have the procedure performed by a physician with thorough knowledge of neck anatomy. Botox is FDA-approved for cosmetic use and the Nefertiti necklift technique is widely used across Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
Ultherapy: FDA-Cleared Non-Invasive Skin Tightening
Ultherapy is the only FDA-cleared non-invasive device for lifting skin on the neck, under the chin, and the brow. It uses focused ultrasound energy delivered to the deep SMAS layer of tissue beneath the skin, the same layer addressed in surgical facelift and necklift, stimulating a collagen regeneration response that progressively tightens the overlying skin over three to six months. Results continue to improve for up to a year after a single treatment session. Ultherapy is ideal for patients with loose neck skin, an early turkey neck deformity, or softening of the cervicomental angle who want meaningful tightening without surgery or downtime. Combining Ultherapy with the Nefertiti Botox necklift in the same treatment program addresses both the deep tissue laxity and the muscle-driven component of neck aging for a more comprehensive non-surgical result.
Fractional CO2 Laser Skin Resurfacing
The skin of the neck develops horizontal creases, crepey surface texture, and fine lines over time from sun damage, thinning of the dermis, and reduced collagen content. These surface changes do not respond to Botox or Ultherapy, which address the deeper structural components of aging. Fractional CO2 laser resurfacing treats the surface and mid-dermal layers of the neck skin, creating controlled micro-columns of ablation that remove damaged collagen and stimulate new collagen production. The result is smoother, tighter, more even-toned neck skin with reduced lines and crepey texture. Recovery is approximately five to seven days of mild redness and peeling. Multiple sessions can be performed for progressive improvement. Fractional laser is frequently combined with Ultherapy and Botox in a sequenced neck rejuvenation program at Kare Plastic Surgery.
Surgical Necklift and Platysmaplasty
For patients with significant skin laxity, pronounced platysma banding, a large submental fat deposit, or a true turkey neck deformity, non-surgical treatments provide limited improvement and surgical necklift is the most effective solution. Dr. Karamanoukian performs surgical necklift with platysmaplasty, in which the platysma muscles are surgically tightened in the midline and any excess skin is removed through incisions hidden behind the ears and under the chin. This produces a dramatic, long-lasting improvement in the neck profile that non-surgical approaches cannot replicate. A surgical necklift can be performed alone or combined with a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Learn more on our neck lift page and our facelift page.
Combination treatment produces the best non-surgical neck results: The most comprehensive non-surgical neck rejuvenation program at Kare Plastic Surgery pairs the Nefertiti Botox necklift with Ultherapy and, when indicated, fractional laser. The Botox addresses the muscle-driven component, Ultherapy tightens the deeper tissue and skin, and laser improves the surface texture. Patients who commit to this three-modality approach often delay the need for surgical necklift by several years. Call (310) 998-5533 to discuss a personalized program at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica.
"The Nefertiti necklift gives patients who are not ready for surgery a real, noticeable improvement in the way their neck and jawline look. When I combine it with Ultherapy and laser, we can achieve results that would have required surgery just a decade ago. The key is individualizing the combination to each patient's anatomy and what is actually driving their aging."
— Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian, MD FACS · Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon · Kare Plastic Surgery, Santa Monica
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nefertiti necklift?
The Nefertiti necklift is a non-surgical procedure that uses Botox injected along the lower jawline and into the platysma muscle of the neck to relax the downward-pulling forces responsible for jowls, neck bands, and sagging. As the platysma relaxes, the upward-pulling facial muscles produce a subtle lifting effect along the jaw and upper neck. The procedure is named for Queen Nefertiti, whose long, defined neck has been considered the ideal of feminine beauty for centuries. Dr. Raffy Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery in Santa Monica performs the Nefertiti necklift. Call (310) 998-5533.
How long does the Nefertiti Botox necklift last?
Results from the Nefertiti necklift typically last three to six months, after which the platysma muscle gradually regains its activity and maintenance treatments are recommended. Patients who have regular treatments may find that results last progressively longer over time. Dr. Karamanoukian at Kare Plastic Surgery advises patients on the ideal interval for their anatomy and goals. Call (310) 998-5533.
Is Ultherapy better than Botox for neck tightening?
Botox and Ultherapy address different aspects of neck aging and work best when combined. Botox relaxes the platysma muscle and reduces the downward pull on the jawline and neck skin. Ultherapy stimulates new collagen in the deeper tissue layers, tightening loose skin from the inside over three to six months. For patients with both overactive platysma bands and loose neck skin, combining both treatments produces the most comprehensive non-surgical result. Dr. Karamanoukian evaluates each patient individually. Call (310) 998-5533.
Who is a good candidate for the Nefertiti necklift?
The ideal candidate is a patient with mild to moderate signs of neck aging including visible platysma bands, early jowling, an undefined jawline, or loss of the cervicomental angle who is not ready for or interested in surgical necklift. Patients with more significant skin laxity or pronounced platysma banding may benefit more from surgical treatment. Dr. Karamanoukian offers both non-surgical and surgical options and helps each patient choose the best approach. Call (310) 998-5533.
Can the Nefertiti necklift be combined with other treatments?
Yes. The Nefertiti necklift is frequently combined with Ultherapy, fractional laser resurfacing, Kybella, and dermal fillers for comprehensive non-surgical neck and jawline rejuvenation. Each treatment addresses a different component of aging, and combining them produces results that no single treatment can achieve alone. Dr. Karamanoukian designs individualized combination programs at Kare Plastic Surgery. Call (310) 998-5533.
Schedule Your Nefertiti Necklift Consultation