Platysmaplasty | What It Is, Who It Helps and How It Is Done
Graceful, Authentic Necklines Through Targeted Refinement
Platysmaplasty is neck rejuvenation surgery that repairs the platysma muscle to soften vertical bands, sharpen the jawline, and restore a clear angle under the chin.
When planned with the deeper neck in mind, it produces natural definition that looks right in motion, not just in photos.
Patient guides describe platysmaplasty as tightening the neck’s muscle support to improve contour, often as part of a neck lift.
What Is Platysmaplasty
The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle that drapes across the front of the neck. With time, the inner edges can separate and appear as vertical bands.
Platysmaplasty surgery reunites these edges and restores midline support. Authoritative overviews confirm it is indicated for neck laxity, bands and structural fullness.
Who Is A Good Candidate
You may be a candidate if you notice:
- Visible vertical bands or cords
- A blunted or poorly defined angle under the chin
- Fullness that persists despite weight change
- A desire for a natural jawline without a pulled look
Candidacy depends on tissue quality, band pattern, bone structure and whether deep-neck fullness is present. Contemporary reviews highlight that durable results often require planning beyond the skin and surface fat.
Platysmaplasty Before And After
Platysmaplasty Surgery Approaches You May Hear About
There is more than one way to repair platysmal bands, and the best approach depends on your anatomy, the pattern of the bands, and any deeper fullness under the chin.
- Midline Corset Platysmaplasty – A small incision under the chin allows repair of the separated muscle edges and tightening of the central neck.
- Lateral Platysma Repositioning – Repositions the platysma toward the sides to support the jawline and the cheek-to-neck transition, often paired with a facelift.
- Adjuncts For Select Anatomy – Hyoid-level release or limited submandibular gland reduction may refine the angle under the chin and prevent residual bulges when clearly indicated.
Together we will choose the safest, most effective method to achieve a natural, durable neckline that fits your goals.
How Dr. Balikian Repairs Platysmal Bands
Before any repair, Dr. Balikian studies how your neck is built and where the bands are coming from.
He begins by mapping the key layers so the plan treats the true cause, not just the surface.
Map The Four Layers
We plan across four layers of the neck: skin, surface fat, the platysma muscle, and deeper structures such as subplatysmal fat, the anterior digastric muscles, and the submandibular glands.
This explains why liposuction alone cannot fix many banded or heavy necks and why true contour sometimes requires deeper work.
Reduce Hidden Weight When Appropriate
If deeper elements add visible bulk, selective steps can reduce that weight. These may include careful reduction of subplatysmal fat, conservative contouring of prominent digastric muscles, or limited submandibular gland reduction when indicated.
Reviews on deep-neck surgery and submandibular gland treatment support selective, conservative management in experienced hands.
Perform The Platysmaplasty
After gentle release of tethered areas, the separated platysma edges are reunited with secure sutures. Selective trimming is used when necessary.
Midline corset repair and lateral support methods are both described in the literature and can be chosen based on anatomy.
Add Vertical Lift Mechanics
Some necks benefit from targeted maneuvers that allow the lift to move vertically rather than sideways.
In select anatomies, hyoid-level releases or suspensions can improve the cervicomental angle and the visual length of the neck; lateral vectors can further sharpen the jawline.
Platysmaplasty Before And After: What To Expect
What changes
- Bands soften or disappear as the muscle is repaired
- The angle under the chin becomes crisper and the neck looks longer
- Jawline definition improves when vertical support and lateral vectors are added
- Results look like you, only more rested and refined
We show front, profile, and three-quarter views so you can clearly see band improvement, the neck angle, and jawline definition from every perspective.
These angles make it easy to appreciate true contour changes and how the results look in real life.
Natural Neck Lift Before And After
Recovery and Comfort
Recovery is designed to be steady and comfortable, with most patients noticing tightness more than pain and clear milestones as the neck refines over time.
- Week 1 – Tightness is more common than pain. Swelling and bruising begin to ease.
- Weeks 2 to 3 – Light social plans are often comfortable. The neck continues to relax and refine.
- Months 2 to 3 – Definition along the jawline and under the chin sharpens as swelling resolves.
Submental approaches can significantly improve the cervicomental angle even in more severe cases, with age appearance reductions reported in clinical series; your individual course depends on tissue quality and whether deeper steps were needed.
Risks And How We Reduce Them
General surgical risks include bruising, swelling, fluid collection, temporary numbness, asymmetry, and rare nerve irritation.
Deep-neck work and submandibular gland reduction should be selective and conservative to balance contour with safety; modern reviews and institutional guides stress experienced surgeon selection for advanced techniques.
Results And Longevity
By repairing the muscle and addressing deeper structures when needed, outcomes are designed to be durable and natural. Normal aging continues, but a defined jawline and a crisper neck angle typically last for years.
Current trend reviews support subplatysmal modifications in the right candidates to improve long-term contour.
Education First
Our goal is to match the plan to your anatomy so the outcome looks younger, not different.
At your consultation, we will review photographs, examine each layer of the neck and design a technique that balances support, definition and a smooth recovery.
Refine Your Neckline
Platysmaplasty FAQs
How does platysmaplasty differ from “neck tightening” or liposuction alone?
Platysmaplasty repairs the neck’s platysma muscle to treat vertical bands and restore support. Liposuction only removes surface fat and cannot fix muscle bands or deeper fullness, so results are more limited when bands are present.
Can Botox fix platysmal bands, or do I need platysmaplasty surgery?
Botox can temporarily soften dynamic bands caused by muscle activity, but it does not reunite separated muscle edges. Platysmaplasty offers a structural solution when bands are visible at rest or when the neck contour needs durable support.
Is platysmaplasty helpful for a “double chin” caused by deeper fullness?
If fullness comes from deeper structures such as subplatysmal fat, prominent digastric muscles, or submandibular glands, platysmaplasty is often paired with selective deep-neck sculpting to refine the cervicomental angle more effectively than lipo alone.
Who benefits most: men or women, and is there an ideal age?
Both men and women benefit. Ideal candidates have visible bands or a blunted neck angle regardless of age, provided skin quality and overall health are good. Planning is individualized to anatomy rather than a specific birthday.
Will a low hyoid bone affect my platysmaplasty results?
A low hyoid can limit how sharp the neck angle appears. In select patients, a conservative hyoid-level release can help the neck lift vertically, improving length and definition without pulling the tissues sideways.
Can platysmaplasty be combined with a preservation deep plane facelift for the jawline?
Yes. Pairing platysmaplasty with a preservation deep plane facelift and vertical neck vectors can sharpen the jawline and smooth the face-to-neck transition, which is helpful when jowls and neck bands occur together.
What does “corset platysmaplasty” mean, and when is it used?
Corset platysmaplasty repairs and tightens the muscle in the midline through a small incision under the chin. It is chosen when central bands are prominent or when the goal is a smoother central neck with durable support.
How do you reduce the chance of band recurrence after surgery?
Durability improves when the muscle edges are precisely released and re-united with secure sutures, when hidden weight under the muscle is treated selectively, and when vertical lift mechanics support the repair.
Will platysmaplasty change my voice or swallowing?
In a standard, well-planned operation, voice and swallowing are not expected to change. Patients typically report tightness that relaxes over the first weeks as swelling resolves and the muscle adapts.
How soon can I travel, work out, or return to work after platysmaplasty?
Most patients resume desk work within 7 to 10 days, light social plans by weeks 2 to 3, and progressive exercise after clearance, usually starting with low-impact activity. Exact timelines vary based on the extent of deep-neck work.
What should I look for in platysmaplasty before and after photos?
Check three angles: front view for band improvement, profile for the cervicomental angle, and three-quarter view for jawline clarity. Look for natural movement, a stable lash and hairline if a facelift was combined, and balanced proportions.
How long do results last, and how can I maintain them?
Results are designed to be long-lasting because the repair restores structure rather than relying on skin tension. Healthy weight, posture, sun protection, and a consistent skin-care routine help maintain a crisp angle and refined contour over time.
Trust Your Face to a Facial Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Richard Balikian is a highly respected facial plastic surgeon serving the San Diego area.
With over 20 years of experience and double board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery as well as Head and Neck Surgery, Dr. Balikian offers a unique combination of technical expertise and artistic vision.
He is part of an elite group of surgeons with extensive training focused exclusively on the face and neck.
Learn More About Facial Plastic Surgery
Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
Double Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery: Richard V. Balikian, MD, FACS
