What is Nefertiti Botox?
It is the injection of botulinum toxin into the thin platysma muscle at the front and sides of the neck and at planned points along the jawline. It takes its name from the bust of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, known for its long, defined jawline.
The platysma is a broad, thin muscle lying just under the skin of the neck, extending over the jaw into the lower face. When it contracts, it forms vertical bands in the neck and pulls the lower face downwards. With age, these bands can become visible even at rest. The aim of the Nefertiti treatment is to reduce this downward pull so that the neck and jawline look more balanced.
Injections are usually placed superficially along the visible neck bands and just below the jawline, at several points. The number of points and the dose depend on how prominent the bands are and how strong the muscle is. The treatment is often considered as part of a wider plan for the lower face rather than on its own. What the plan includes is clarified at a face-to-face consultation.
What can Nefertiti Botox improve, and what can it not?
It can soften muscle-related neck bands and give the jawline slightly more definition. On its own, it does not treat significant skin laxity, fat under the chin or deep horizontal neck lines.
The clearest response is usually seen in vertical bands that appear when you talk or clench. In people whose skin still has reasonable elasticity, reducing the downward pull on the jawline can bring a subtle improvement in the lower-face contour. It is not a lift; the change is usually modest and natural-looking. How much difference you see depends on your skin quality and muscle structure.
Where there is excess skin, advanced sagging or fat under the chin, toxin alone is not enough. In these cases, treatments for the double chin, energy-based devices, biostimulators or surgical options may be discussed. Horizontal neck lines are mostly related to skin quality and may call for different methods. Which approach suits you is discussed openly at your consultation, and a staged plan may be suggested.
Who should not have Nefertiti Botox?
Treatment is not given, or is postponed, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, in neuromuscular conditions, with a history of swallowing difficulty, when there is infection in the area and in anyone allergic to the ingredients. Expectations may not be met where sagging is advanced.
Because the neck lies close to structures involved in swallowing and speaking, people who have had swallowing difficulties or who have weak neck muscles need careful assessment. Treatment is not carried out in neuromuscular conditions such as myasthenia gravis, or during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Please tell the doctor if you take any medicines that affect nerve-to-muscle transmission. Any skin infection in the area means treatment is postponed.
If you have recently had surgery in the neck or jaw area, or have surgery planned, timing is agreed together. If other injections or device treatments are planned for the same period, the order matters. Treatment may also not be recommended if your expectations clearly exceed what it can achieve; that decision is made at a face-to-face assessment, and the reasons and alternatives are explained.
How is Nefertiti Botox done, and what is the aftercare?
The neck bands are marked while tensed, and small doses are injected superficially at several points. Afterwards, avoid massaging the area and avoid strenuous exercise, saunas and hammams that day.
You will be asked to clench your teeth or pull the corners of your mouth down so the bands stand out and the injection points can be marked. Injections are placed in the surface of the muscle, away from deeper structures. The procedure is short and most people return to their day straight away. The effect starts within a few days and is usually fully visible at around two weeks.
For the first few hours, avoid rubbing the neck; you may also be advised to avoid tight collars or scarves. Small bruises and redness can occur and usually fade on their own. At your review, the change in the bands and the balance between the two sides are assessed. For most people the effect typically lasts 3–4 months, and repeat timing is planned after this review.
What are the risks of Nefertiti Botox?
Common effects are tenderness, redness and bruising at the injection points. Less often, difficulty swallowing, a feeling of neck weakness or an uneven smile may occur; these should be reported to the doctor.
If the toxin reaches the deeper neck muscles or structures involved in swallowing, you may notice difficulty swallowing or a feeling of weakness in the neck. For this reason, dose and injection depth are planned with particular care. Unexpected effects on the muscles that pull the corners of the mouth down can also cause a temporary uneven smile. These effects are usually temporary but can last until the toxin wears off.
Symptoms such as shortness of breath or marked difficulty swallowing or speaking need urgent medical attention; seek help without delay. Milder concerns can be shared at your review. Before treatment, the risks, the symptoms to look out for and how to get in touch are explained in detail. If you are travelling home soon after treatment, make sure you know whom to contact.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nefertiti Botox a type of facelift?
No. It temporarily reduces the muscle’s downward pull but does not remove excess skin. The change is usually subtle and natural-looking.
Does it help horizontal neck lines?
Horizontal neck lines are mainly related to skin quality. Toxin may have a limited effect on them, and skin-quality treatments are considered separately.
When will I see the result?
The effect usually begins within a few days and is fully visible at around two weeks. The degree of change depends on muscle structure and skin quality.
Can it be done in the same session as other areas?
It may be. The total dose and areas are planned together, and which areas are treated in one session is decided at your consultation.
Can Nefertiti Botox lift down-turned mouth corners?
Because Nefertiti Botox reduces the downward pull of the platysma, it may ease the drag on the mouth corners in some people, but the effect is usually limited. The main muscle pulling the mouth corners down is often the depressor anguli oris, which is treated separately if needed. For mouth-corner lines caused by volume loss or sagging, other methods such as filler are considered.
How often is Nefertiti Botox repeated?
Because Nefertiti Botox typically lasts 3–4 months for most people, a repeat is usually planned once the neck bands start to reappear; how quickly they return varies. Top-ups before the effect wears off are not advised. As the neck dose is kept measured to spare the swallowing muscles, you are asked before each repeat whether you had any difficulty swallowing or neck weakness last time.
Can Nefertiti Botox be combined with double-chin or skin-tightening treatments?
Yes, Nefertiti Botox is often considered within the same plan as treatments for double-chin fat or loose neck skin, because each addresses a different problem. However, these treatments are usually spaced out rather than done on the same day, so the result of each can be judged separately and it is easier to tell which procedure caused any swelling or side effect.
Do men have Nefertiti Botox too?
Yes, Nefertiti Botox can also be done for men, as neck bands can become prominent in men with age or heavy muscle use. Because the platysma is often stronger in men, the dose may be adjusted accordingly. The beard area is considered when marking injection points and timing shaving afterwards, and keeping the masculine character of the jawline is part of the plan.
Sources (4)
- U.S. FDA (DailyMed, NLM): BOTOX COSMETIC- onabotulinumtoxina injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution (Prescribing Information and Medication Guide) (2026)
- Yi et al., Toxins (Basel): Anatomical Proposal for Botulinum Neurotoxin Injection Targeting the Platysma Muscle for Treating Platysmal Band and Jawline Lifting: A Review (2022)
- International Botulinum toxin Advisory board (Ascher et al., Aesthet Surg J): International Consensus Recommendations on the Aesthetic Usage of Ready-to-Use AbobotulinumtoxinA (Alluzience) (2024)
- Global Aesthetics Consensus Group (Sundaram et al., Plast Reconstr Surg): Global Aesthetics Consensus: Botulinum Toxin Type A--Evidence-Based Review, Emerging Concepts, and Consensus Recommendations for Aesthetic Use, Including Updates on Complications (2016)
This content is for general information and does not replace a personal medical assessment.