What is a Nefertiti neck lift and who is it recommended for?

Nefertiti Neck Lift: Definition and Recommendations

The Nefertiti neck lift is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure using botulinum toxin injections along the jawline and platysmal bands to improve neck contour and provide a mini-lift effect, best suited for younger patients with good skin elasticity and platysmal hyperactivity.

What Is a Nefertiti Neck Lift?

The Nefertiti neck lift is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure named after the Egyptian queen known for her elegant neck and jawline. It involves:

• Strategic injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) along:
  • The inferior border of the mandible (jawline)
  • The platysmal bands in the neck

The technique aims to:

• Relax the downward-pulling platysma muscle
• Create a "draping" effect of the skin along the jawline
• Provide a visual effect similar to a mini-lift
• Improve neck contour without surgery

Ideal Candidates

The Nefertiti lift is most effective for:

• Younger patients with platysma muscle hyperactivity 1
• Patients with retained skin elasticity 1
• Those with visible platysmal bands at rest or with tension
• Individuals seeking jawline definition
• Patients wanting to delay surgical intervention 2

Not Recommended For:

• Patients with significant skin laxity or excess
• Those with substantial subplatysmal fat
• Patients with enlarged submandibular glands
• Individuals with digastric muscle hypertrophy 3
• Patients with neck masses requiring medical evaluation 4

Treatment Protocol

Typical administration involves:

• Botulinum toxin injections (commonly abobotulinumtoxinA)
• Average dosing of approximately 125 units per patient 1
• Injection points along:
  • Inferior mandibular border
  • Visible platysmal bands
• Results typically last 3-4 months

Efficacy and Outcomes

Research demonstrates:

• 93.3% of both clinicians and patients rate overall results as improved 1
• 96.6% patient satisfaction rate 1
• Statistically significant improvement in platysmal bands at rest and with maximal tension 1
• Some improvement in jowls, marionette lines, and oral commissures, though not always statistically significant 1

Clinical Considerations

Before recommending this procedure, clinicians should:

1. Rule out neck masses requiring medical evaluation

   • Any neck mass present ≥2 weeks without fluctuation requires proper medical assessment 4
   • Masses with concerning features (fixation to adjacent tissues, firm consistency, size >1.5 cm, ulceration) warrant immediate evaluation 4

2. Understand anatomical limitations

   • The procedure addresses primarily muscular issues, not structural problems 3
   • Removing subcutaneous fat and tightening skin/platysma over underlying structural problems will not correct them 3

3. Set appropriate expectations

   • This is not a replacement for surgical neck lift in patients with significant aging changes
   • Results are temporary and require maintenance treatments
   • Best outcomes occur in patients with mild to moderate aging changes

Potential Complications

• Temporary dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Asymmetry
• Neck weakness
• Migration of toxin to adjacent muscles
• Bruising at injection sites
• Incomplete response requiring touch-up treatment

Complementary Approaches

The Nefertiti lift is often used:

• As a standalone procedure for mild cases
• In combination with other rejuvenating procedures 1
• As a complement to dermal fillers in the lower face 5
• As a temporizing measure before surgical intervention

Summary

The Nefertiti neck lift offers a minimally invasive option for specific patients seeking neck and jawline rejuvenation. While not a replacement for surgical neck lift in patients with significant aging changes, it provides high satisfaction rates in properly selected candidates, particularly younger patients with good skin elasticity and platysmal hyperactivity.