Mabrie Facial Institute 166 Geary Street Floor 1300 San Francisco, CA 94108 Phone: (415) 445-9513 Text/SMS: (866) 618-9459 Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Vertical neck bands, or platysmal bands, can cause an aged or gaunt appearance even in relatively young individuals. At Mabrie Facial Institute in San Francisco, we can treat these cord-like bands as part of a broader i360 Signature treatment or targeted BOTOX to rejuvenate the neck.
ABOUT OUR PATIENT This beautiful woman in her 40s is a returning patient at Mabrie Facial Institute, where she’s committed to maintaining a refreshed, youthful look. Recently, she began noticing changes in her neck that didn’t quite match how vibrant and energized she felt inside. Specifically, the platysmal neck bands—those vertical lines... Read More
ABOUT OUR PATIENT In her early 50s, this patient noticed signs of aging on her neck. She was unhappy about prominent platysmal bands that formed both horizontal lines and vertical cords on her neck.MFI TREATMENT PLAN Can Botox treat that? Yes it can! Botox was injected into the neck muscles responsible for creating visible ba... Read More
ABOUT OUR PATIENT In her 40s, this patient initially visited MFI to address concerns in the upper face, including forehead lines, frown lines, and crow’s feet. During her consultation, she expressed interest in learning what other areas could benefit from BOTOX. Our team identified visible neck banding as an opportunity to enhance her prof... Read More
Your treatment begins with our exclusive Illumination 360°® Facial Analysis. By studying your neck from every angle and across lighting scenarios, your Injector can determine whether you will get the best results from a neck-only treatment or as part of a larger plan.
BOTOX Injections for Vertical Platysmal Neck Bands
BOTOX injections in the platysma muscle, the muscle that pulls down the lower jaw to open your mouth or help you frown, can soften visible banding in the neck. Once the muscle relaxes, the overlying skin becomes smoother and flatter.
Strategic BOTOX injections eased both the vertical bands and the horizontal lines on our patient's neck. By relaxing the platysma muscle, her neck appears notably smoother and more youthful.
i360 Signature Treatments
For clients seeking the ultimate in non surgical facial rejuvenation, our i360 Signature Treatments are designed to optimize facial harmony, light reflection, and balance from every angle.
Our i360 Non Surgical Facelift targets the mid and lower face — addressing dark circles, midface collapse, nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and jowling to restore a rested, lifted, and naturally youthful appearance.
For those ready for complete facial transformation, our i360 Full Face expands the canvas entirely. Every zone is considered — temples, brows, nose, lips, cheeks, jawline, and beyond — with both filler and neuromodulator integrated into a single, cohesive treatment plan. The result isn’t a collection of corrections. It’s fully realized facial architecture that is balanced and illuminated from every angle.
The cost of neck band treatment varies depending on the treatment plan and how much product is used. Visit our site’s dedicated pricing page for updated price information on all our procedures.
Qualified borrowers may be eligible for 0% financing for 6 to 12 months through CareCredit and Alphaeon medical financing.
The MFI Advantage
MFI focuses exclusively on injectables and has set the bar in the art and science of fillers for more than 15 years. Dr. Mabrie, trained as a facial plastic surgeon, has dedicated thousands of hours to refining the most innovative, effective, and safe techniques for injectables. There is no other practice in the Bay Area with the level of experience, education, and passion for injectables you’ll find at MFI.
Vertical neck bands, also known as platysmal bands, are caused by the tightening or contracting of the platysma muscle in the neck. There are several reasons why these bands might become more prominent:
Repeated Muscle Movements
Certain habitual motions, like frequently looking down at screens or holding the neck in certain positions for extended periods, can strain the neck muscles and contribute to the development of visible bands over time.
Skin & Tissue Laxity
As we age, collagen and elastin in the skin begin to break down. This causes the skin and underlying muscles to lose elasticity, leading to sagging or visible muscle bands in the neck area.
Fat Loss
The fat in the face and neck breaks down with age, which can result in platysmal bands that appear more prominent. Significant weight loss or extreme fitness can also contribute to visible neck bands.
Consultation and Planning for Your Neck Bands Treatment
Your First Visit
When you arrive for your consultation at our beautiful San Francisco office, you’ll be greeted by our friendly team, and your Injector will take you to a treatment room. They will discuss your aesthetic goals and expectations and answer all your questions. Next, we photograph your neck from all angles; we refer to these photos at every visit to monitor your progress. Analyzing the photos helps us develop a treatment plan tailored to your anatomy and goals.
BOTOX for vertical platysmal bands is a relatively quick procedure, but we ask that you plan to spend approximately 90 minutes in the office for your first visit. This should accommodate your consultation, prep, treatment, photography, aftercare education, and scheduling your next appointment. The injections themselves only take a few minutes and cause minimal discomfort.
Your Neck Band BOTOX Procedure
We begin by having you flex your platysma muscle so we can map and outline the borders of the prominent neck bands, mark the injection points, and determine the appropriate neuromodulator dosage for you. Your Injector then makes a series of tiny injections along each band—typically 4 to 6 injections per band.
We recommend re-treatment every 3 or 4 months to keep your neck looking smooth and youthful.
For the best experience, follow these tips in advance of your appointment:
A few days before your appointment, restrict blood thinners, such as anti-inflammatories, fish oil, and alcohol. Limiting these will reduce your risk of bruising from BOTOX injections.
DO NOT discontinue prescribed, medically necessary medications.
Eat and drink a normal breakfast or lunch prior to your appointment; low blood sugar can make patients lightheaded during treatment.
Discomfort during treatment is minimal, and you can return to normal activities after your appointment. Immediately after your injections, you may experience tenderness, redness, and possibly bruising at the treatment site. These symptoms are mild and typically resolve within 24 to 48 hours. Side effects can be treated with over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol or Aleve. Ice can also enhance comfort and reduce swelling.
Swelling
While swelling from BOTOX is typically minimal, it peaks the day after treatment
This may cause temporary asymmetry, lumps, or bumps
Bruising
Bruising may occur, but should resolve within a few days
Redness & Discomfort
Often minimal and lasting just a few days
Your treated areas may be tender to the touch
Downtime
No downtime required
May return to work immediately after treatment
May resume normal exercise the next day
Because we know you have questions about your recovery process, we created an entire page dedicated to BOTOX and dermal filler aftercare.
How many units of BOTOX are needed for platysmal neck bands?
Each patient is different, but on average, we find that patients require 25 to 50 units of BOTOX to treat vertical neck bands.
Will losing weight help a “turkey neck”?
Unfortunately, this area is not usually improved with weight loss. While you might see a slight improvement in a double chin when you lose weight, neck bands may actually become more prominent with fat loss.
How long before BOTOX works for platysmal bands?
Neuromodulators take a few days to begin taking effect, with full results visible in about 10 to 14 days. You should see smoother neck skin and reduced neck banding by two weeks after your treatment.
If you are interested in learning more about BOTOX® for vertical neck bands in San Francisco, request a consultation online, or call us at
(415) 445-9513 to schedule your first two appointments with one of our highly trained specialists. If you’ll be visiting us from outside the area, our Fly in for Your Procedure page was created just for you to help make planning your trip as smooth as possible.
Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. David Mabrie on November 13th, 2026.
A Reputation Built on Results
What a great experience, as always. Rochelle, Lyndsey, Dr. Mabrie and the entire team were amazing....
I honestly wish my appointments were longer, because this is genuinely one of the nicest groups of professionals...
I have been Dr. Mabrie’s patient for two years and have had an absolute AMAZING experience in every...
Dr. Mabrie is the best. Crystal was pretty amazing too!
