Dr. Rocco Piazza II, MD, FACS
Board-certified plastic surgeon · The Piazza Center, Austin, TX · Updated November 2026
The Nefertiti Lift is a Botox treatment for the neck and jawline. It relaxes the vertical neck cords called platysmal bands and the muscle pull that blurs the jawline. It takes about 15 minutes, needs no downtime, and is the closest thing to a "neck lift" you can get without surgery.
It is not a neck lift, though. Below I'll explain what it does and doesn't do, who it suits, and where it fits next to a surgical neck lift and the at-home neck product we're launching on November 15.
What Is the Nefertiti Lift?
The Nefertiti Lift uses small, precisely placed doses of Botox along the jawline and down the vertical bands of the neck. The name comes from Queen Nefertiti, whose bust is famous for its long, smooth neck and sharp jaw. The treatment aims for that look by relaxing the muscle that pulls the lower face down.
What are platysmal bands?
The platysma is a thin, sheet-like muscle that runs from the collarbone up over the jaw. With age, its front edges separate and tighten into visible vertical cords. Clench your teeth in the mirror and you'll see them. Because the platysma also pulls down on the jaw and the corners of the mouth, an overactive platysma can soften the jawline. Botox quiets that pull.
Botox Is FDA-Approved for Neck Bands
In October 2024, the FDA approved BOTOX® Cosmetic for the temporary improvement of moderate to severe vertical platysma bands in adults. It was the first neurotoxin approved for the neck. Injectors had treated neck bands off-label for years, and the approval brought clinical trial data and a defined dosing protocol for this use.
One honest caveat: the approval covers the platysma bands. "Nefertiti Lift" is the name for an injection technique, and the jawline portion of some protocols goes beyond the approved indication. Your injector should tell you exactly what is being treated and why.
What the Nefertiti Lift Can and Can't Do
It can: soften vertical neck bands, sharpen the jawline a little by reducing the downward muscle pull, and make the neck look smoother when you talk and move.
It can't: remove loose or excess skin, remove fat under the chin, or change skin texture, crepiness or horizontal "necklace" lines. Results are temporary. Most people see them settle in over about two weeks and come back for maintenance every few months.
Nefertiti Lift vs. Neck Lift vs. At-Home Care
The neck has three layers that age differently: the muscle (bands, jaw pull), the skin (thinning, crepiness, lines) and the structure (loose skin, fat, laxity). Each option works on a different layer.
| Nefertiti Lift (Botox) | Surgical neck lift | At-home neck care | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Works on | Muscle bands, jaw pull | Loose skin, fat, muscle | Skin surface: texture, crepiness, fine lines |
| Downtime | None | Surgical recovery | None |
| How long it lasts | A few months; repeat to maintain | Long-lasting; aging continues | As long as you keep using it |
| Best for | Visible bands, good skin quality | Loose skin, jowls, fullness under the chin | Everyone, alone or alongside treatment |
If your main concern is loose skin or fullness under the chin, Botox won't get you there, and we'll tell you that at your consultation instead of selling you something that won't work. For neck bands and jaw pull, start with Botox Cosmetic.
The At-Home Step: Pavise Tensor Neck Lift
We get asked constantly what patients can do at home for the neck. Starting November 15, our answer is Pavise Tensor Neck Lift. It's the best non-surgical, at-home product we carry for the neck, and I want to be clear about what that means.
What it is: an evening concentrate for the neck and décolleté. It combines encapsulated retinal (a retinoid one step closer than retinol to the form skin uses), Pavise's DiamondCore® delivery technology, gentle PHA/bionic acids, peptides and barrier-repair lipids. It replaces a firming serum, retinoid, exfoliating acid, peptide serum and moisturizer with one bottle.
What it won't do: it will not give you the effect of Botox, and it will not give you the effect of a neck lift. A cream can't relax a muscle band, remove fat or tighten loose skin. What it can do is work on the skin itself, the layer neither Botox nor surgery really treats: texture, crepiness, fine lines and uneven tone.
That's why we pair it with treatment rather than selling it instead of treatment. Many of our Nefertiti Lift and neck lift patients will use it to care for the skin before and after. If you're wondering why it replaced our previous neck product, here's why we're replacing Nectifirm with Tensor.
"A serum is not a neck lift. It's what I want on the skin before one, and after."
— Dr. Rocco Piazza II
Join the Tensor waitlist (launches Nov 15) →
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Nefertiti Lift?
You're likely a good fit if you have visible neck bands, especially when you talk or clench, a jawline that has softened slightly, and reasonably good skin elasticity. If you have significant loose skin, jowling or fullness under the chin, we'll tell you honestly whether Botox will get you closer to your goal.
Botox isn't right for everyone. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, certain neuromuscular conditions and some medications are reasons to wait or avoid it. We review your history at your visit.
Nefertiti Lift at The Piazza Center in Austin
Neck injections require knowing the anatomy well, because the muscles nearby help you swallow and speak. Our injectors work under a board-certified plastic surgeon, and dosing is planned around your anatomy and goals. Learn more about Botox Cosmetic in Austin, Dysport or our full range of facial rejuvenation options.
Nefertiti Lift: Common Questions
Is the Nefertiti Lift a real neck lift?
No. It's a Botox injection technique that relaxes neck bands and jaw pull. It doesn't remove skin or fat. A surgical neck lift does.
How long does the Nefertiti Lift last?
Like Botox elsewhere, results are temporary and typically last a few months. Most patients schedule maintenance treatments to keep the effect.
Is Botox FDA-approved for the neck?
Yes. In October 2024 the FDA approved BOTOX® Cosmetic for moderate to severe vertical platysma bands in adults. Some jawline injections used in Nefertiti Lift protocols fall outside that approval, and your injector should explain what is being treated.
Does the Nefertiti Lift help crepey neck skin?
Not really. Botox works on muscle, not skin quality. For crepiness and fine lines, a consistent at-home routine with a retinoid, such as Pavise Tensor Neck Lift, along with in-office skin treatments, does more.
Can a neck cream replace Botox or a neck lift?
No. Even the best neck product we carry, Pavise Tensor Neck Lift, works on the skin, not on muscle bands, fat or loose skin. It complements treatment; it doesn't replace it.
Is there downtime after the Nefertiti Lift?
No real downtime. You may have small bumps or pinpoint bruising for a short time. We'll give you aftercare instructions at your visit.
Individual results vary. This article is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Botox Cosmetic is a prescription treatment; discuss risks, benefits and alternatives with a qualified provider. Product information for Pavise Tensor Neck Lift is based on the manufacturer's descriptions.
Not sure which neck option is right for you?
Book a private, no-pressure consultation and we'll tell you honestly what Botox and skincare can and can't do for your neck.
Schedule a Consultation Join the Tensor WaitlistOr call (512) 288-8200
Dr. Rocco Piazza II
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Piazza is a board-certified plastic surgeon practicing in Austin, TX. He specializes in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery with a focus on natural results.
