Botox by far the most sought after cosmetic procedure in the United States, according to the most recent American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery statistics. More than three million Botox procedures were performed last year alone. Now, doctors are finding a new use for the popular product—neck enhancement.

As a person ages, the muscles in the neck—known as the platysmal muscles—become more prominent, creating vertical cords that extend from the chin to the chest. Botox can be used to relax the muscles in the neck and shrink the vertical bands.

Neil Sadick, president of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation, said he has performed the procedure on dozens of patients, primarily women in their 40s and 50s.

“Now that faces are getting a lot of attention, people are paying more attention to the rest of their body,” he said.

While effective for diminishing the appearance of unsightly neck wrinkles and bands, Botox won't work for “rubberneckers”—or people with loose folds of skin. For those patients, plastic surgeon David Watts said he uses a combination of Botox and a mini-facelift.

Botox treatments for the neck range in price from about $600-$1,000. Side effects are rare but may include temporary discomfort and/or difficulty swallowing.

Interested in Botox injections? For more information about your cosmetic options or to schedule a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you, please contact us today.