Maximus Gage
The platysma muscle is found at the front of the neck, under the chin, and it can start to sag as we age. This sagging is often referred to as a turkey neck. While there are cosmetic surgical procedures to reduce the appearance of a sagging platysma muscle, there are also exercises you can do to strengthen and tone the muscle. These include neck lifts, chin tucks, and neck stretches. You can also use your tongue to help strengthen the platysma muscle by sticking your tongue out and reaching down toward your chin. For those who would prefer a non-surgical but still cosmetic approach, Botox and dermal fillers are also an option.
How to Increase Platysma Muscle
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Front of the neck, under the chin |
| Extends from | Upper portion of the chest to the lower jaw and part of the face |
| Exercises | Neck lifts, chin tucks, neck stretches, tongue exercises, chin thrusts |
| Surgical procedures | Neck lift, platysmaplasty |
| Non-surgical procedures | Botox, dermal fillers |
| Causes of platysmal bands | Ageing, genetics, muscle activity, lifestyle, weight loss, sun exposure |
| Prevention | Avoid neck strain, limit looking down for extended periods, wear UV protection, follow skincare regimen |
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What You'll Learn
Neck exercises
The platysma muscle is found at the front of the neck, under the chin. As we age, this muscle can sag, leading to a drooping chin, sagging jawline, and loose skin under the chin, often referred to as "turkey neck". While cosmetic surgical procedures are an option to reduce the appearance of a sagging platysma muscle, there are also exercises that can help firm and tone the neck and jawline.
Neck Lifts
To perform a neck lift, sit or stand with your back straight. Tilt your head back so that you are looking at the ceiling. Pucker your lips as if you are trying to kiss the ceiling and hold this position for 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times daily for best results.
Chin Tucks
Sit or stand with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Gently tuck your chin down towards your chest, creating a double chin. Hold this position for 5 seconds and then release. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times daily.
Tongue Exercise
Sit up straight and open your mouth as far as you can without discomfort. Stick your tongue out, then reach it down toward your chin. Hold for three to five seconds, then relax. Begin with 10 repetitions and work up to three sets in a row.
Neck Stretch
Sit or stand with your back straight. Let your head drop gently forward, so your chin is close to your chest. Slowly rotate your head to the right, so your chin is parallel to your right shoulder. Then, slowly rotate your head to the left, so your chin is parallel to your left shoulder. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times daily.
Neck Resistance
For an extra boost, thrust your chin upward slightly to feel added resistance along your lower jawline and all of the muscles of the platysma, from chin to chest. Slowly return to your starting position. Perform 10 repetitions, working up to three sets in a row.
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Botox and dermal fillers
The platysma muscle is a broad sheet of muscle that covers the front and sides of the neck and jaw. As we age, the platysma muscle can become more prominent, leading to the appearance of vertical lines or "bands" on the neck. This can be exacerbated by a loss of collagen and elastin in the skin, which occurs naturally as we age.
Botox, or botulinum toxin, is a popular treatment for reducing the appearance of these platysmal bands. It does this by temporarily paralysing the muscles, thereby relaxing them and smoothing out the vertical neck bands. This non-surgical approach is minimally invasive and can yield significant improvements in the neck's appearance, making it a sought-after solution for those looking to achieve a more youthful neck contour without undergoing invasive surgery.
Botox is often combined with other aesthetic treatments, such as dermal fillers, to enhance overall results. Dermal fillers can be used in conjunction with Botox to provide trackable results in just a few days. This combination of procedures can offer a comprehensive facial rejuvenation treatment.
When injecting Botox, it is important to start with smaller dosages as more can always be added later. The toxin should be strategically and superficially spread along the bands to relieve muscle contraction and reduce the appearance of the bands. It is also beneficial to place a couple of units of Botox along the jawline, as the platysma muscle attaches to the mandible, and this can enhance jawline definition.
It is important to note that Botox treatments for the lower face and neck are considered advanced treatments due to the complexity of the muscle anatomy in this area. As such, it is crucial to seek out experienced practitioners who have a good understanding of the musculature and can provide a hands-on approach to treatment.
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Surgical platysmaplasty
The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, with a small horizontal incision made beneath the chin. Through this incision, the two sides of the platysma muscle are brought together and sutured into one muscular layer, creating a midline platysma plication. This technique, known as a corset platysmaplasty, tightens the muscle and makes it resistant to new neck bands. Excess fat in the neck, such as inter-platysmal and sub-platysmal fat, may also be removed during the procedure to achieve optimal contouring.
The platysmaplasty procedure is considered minimally invasive and relatively safe, with minimal risk of complications. However, as with any surgical procedure, there are minor risks of nerve damage, skin discolouration, infection, bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Patients can typically expect some degree of swelling and bruising after the surgery, which may extend from the neck to the jaw and ears. This sensation of tightness in the neck is normal and subsides over time as the tightened tissues and nerve endings heal and settle.
The recovery process for a platysmaplasty typically involves a few days of downtime, during which patients are advised to refrain from strenuous physical activity. In some cases, when combined with additional procedures such as neck liposuction or a facelift, the recovery time may extend up to two weeks before patients can resume normal activities. To ensure optimal healing and results, patients should follow their doctor's post-operative care instructions, avoid smoking, and protect their skin from the sun.
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Avoiding neck strain
To avoid neck strain while exercising the platysma muscle, it is important to be aware of the tension in your neck during exercise. This awareness can help prevent platysmal bands from forming. Platysmal bands are caused by muscle activity and the natural ageing process, which leads to the skin stretching and sagging.
It is recommended that you watch yourself in the mirror when you work out, so you can relax your neck when it tenses. If you are lifting weights, look in the mirror and observe what happens to your neck. You will likely see your platysmal bands become more visible as your neck muscles tense.
To avoid neck strain, try neck stretches and exercises that promote gentle toning of the muscle. The University of Maryland suggests practising daily range-of-motion exercises for your neck to keep muscles flexible and toned. For example, tilting your head slowly from side to side or front to back will exercise the muscles of the lower face, jaw and neck, engaging the platysma muscle group. These exercises can be performed several times a day, repeating each side-to-side or front-to-back motion five to ten times for each set.
Another exercise to try is to sit up straight and open your mouth as far as you can without discomfort. Then, stick your tongue out and reach it down towards your chin. Hold for three to five seconds, then relax. Begin with ten repetitions and work up to three sets in a row.
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Anti-ageing skincare
The platysma muscle is found at the front of the neck, under the chin, and it extends from the upper chest to the lower jaw. As we age, the skin on our neck loses elasticity and the neck muscles weaken, leading to sagging skin and the formation of wrinkles. This sagging skin can contribute to the appearance of a double chin, neck creases, and what is commonly referred to as a "turkey neck". While ageing is a primary cause of neck wrinkles and sagging skin, other factors include:
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Weight loss
- Smoking
- Poor skincare habits
To combat these signs of ageing, there are several treatments and preventative measures you can consider.
Exercises
Platysma banding, or "turkey neck", can be improved through targeted exercises that strengthen and tone the neck muscles. Some simple exercises that can be done daily include:
- Neck lifts: Sit or stand with your back straight and tilt your head back as if trying to kiss the ceiling. Hold this position for 5 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.
- Chin tucks: Sit or stand with your back straight and shoulders relaxed. Tuck your chin down towards your chest, creating a double chin. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.
- Tongue exercise: Sit up straight and open your mouth as far as you comfortably can. Stick your tongue out and reach it down towards your chin. Hold for 3-5 seconds and relax. Start with 10 repetitions and work up to 3 sets of this exercise.
Non-invasive cosmetic procedures
If you're looking for a quicker fix, non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox and dermal fillers can be considered. Botox works by blocking the release of a neurotransmitter that causes muscle contractions, thereby relaxing the platysma muscle and minimising the visibility of neck bands. Dermal fillers, on the other hand, are used to plump up the skin and smooth out wrinkles and creases caused by sagging skin. These injectable treatments are relatively safe, quick, and effective, with minimal discomfort and side effects.
Surgery
For more severe cases of platysma banding, cosmetic surgery may be considered. A surgical platysmaplasty tightens the skin and muscles at their weakest points, resulting in a smoother neck and sharper jawline. This procedure typically involves a plastic surgeon tightening the skin below the corners of the mouth and trimming excess skin. While surgery is significantly more expensive and carries risks of complications, it is considered a more effective solution for a heavy, sagging neck.
In summary, while ageing is a natural process that contributes to the formation of neck bands and sagging skin, there are both preventative and treatment options available to delay and minimise their appearance. These options range from simple exercises to non-invasive procedures and surgery, each with varying levels of effectiveness and cost.
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Frequently asked questions
The platysma muscle is found at the front of the neck, under the chin, and is part of a system of muscles known as the superficial musculoaponeurotic system plane.
As people age, their skin undergoes several changes, such as the thinning of the skin and the formation of wrinkles, which can lead to a "turkey neck". By exercising the platysma muscle, people can improve muscle tone, reduce sagging, and enhance the overall appearance of the neck.
There are several exercises that can help increase the platysma muscle, such as neck lifts, chin tucks, and neck stretches. For neck lifts, sit or stand with your back straight and tilt your head back as if trying to kiss the ceiling. Hold this position for 5 seconds and repeat 10-15 times. Chin tucks are performed in a similar way but instead, you gently tuck your chin down towards your chest, creating a double chin. Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 10-15 times. For neck stretches, simply sit or stand with your back straight to help improve flexibility and reduce tension in the neck muscles.
Aside from exercises, there are also cosmetic procedures such as Botox injections, dermal fillers, and surgical platysmaplasty that can help to reduce the appearance of platysmal bands and tighten the neck and jawline.
