If you've noticed your jawline softening or the cords in your neck becoming more visible, the Nefertiti lift Botox technique is worth understanding before assuming surgery is the only option. Named for the Egyptian queen whose jawline became a reference point for neck aesthetics, the Nefertiti lift uses strategic Botox injections along the lower jaw and neck to lift the tissue and sharpen the contour without a single incision. At New Day Medspa in Jacksonville, FL, it's one of the most requested combination treatments for patients who want a defined neck and jawline without downtime or surgery.
What does this article cover?
- What the Nefertiti lift Botox technique is and which muscles it targets
- How many units does the Nefertiti lift typically require, and how does that break down by zone
- What results look like and how long they last
- Who is and isn't a good candidate for the Nefertiti lift
Key takeaways
- The Nefertiti lift Botox technique targets the platysma muscle in the neck and the depressor muscles along the jawline to allow upward lift
- How many units for a Nefertiti lift range from 40 to 80 units total, depending on muscle strength, neck length, and treatment goals
- Results appear within 7 to 14 days and typically last 3 to 4 months, consistent with other Botox treatments.
- The Nefertiti lift works best for early-to-moderate jawline softening and neck banding; it doesn't address excess skin or significant tissue laxity.
What is the Nefertiti lift Botox technique?
The Nefertiti lift is a specific injection pattern, not a different product. It uses standard botulinum toxin type A (Botox or equivalent wrinkle relaxer) placed along two key anatomical zones: the lower border of the jawline and the vertical bands of the platysma muscle in the neck. The platysma is a broad, thin muscle that runs from the chest up through the neck. Over time, it pulls downward on the lower face and jaw, contributing to jowling and a less defined jawline contour.
By relaxing the platysmal bands and the depressor muscles along the jaw, the technique allows the elevator muscles of the face to work without opposition. The net effect is a subtle upward repositioning of the lower face tissue and a smoother, more defined neck. It doesn't inject anything structural like filler; it simply removes the downward pull so the existing support structure can do its job.
The Nefertiti lift is an off-label application of botulinum toxin. Your provider will discuss what this means for your treatment plan during your consultation.
Which muscles does the Nefertiti lift target?
Understanding the anatomy helps explain why this technique works and why injection placement matters so much. There are two main target zones:
Jawline zone (DAO and depressor muscles): The depressor anguli oris (DAO) and adjacent muscles pull the corners of the mouth and jowl tissue downward. Relaxing these along the mandibular border allows the overlying skin and soft tissue to sit slightly higher, improving the jawline contour.
Neck zone (platysma): The platysmal bands are the vertical cords that become visible in the neck with age or movement. Injecting into these bands reduces their downward traction on the jawline and softens their appearance at rest and during animation.
The original Nefertiti lift technique was described in a published PubMed study of 130 patients, using up to 20 units of botulinum toxin A along the jawline specifically for recontouring. Patient satisfaction was extremely high, and adverse effects were rare.
Source: The 'Nefertiti Lift': A New Technique for Specific Recontouring of the Jawline, PubMed/NIH
How many units for a Nefertiti lift?
This is one of the most searched questions about the treatment, and the answer varies more than most people expect. Here's a realistic breakdown:
How many units for a Nefertiti lift depend on several individual factors:
- Muscle strength: Patients with strong, prominent platysmal bands need more product than those with mild banding
- Neck length: A longer neck has more platysmal surface area to treat
- Degree of jowling: Heavier jowls require more precise jawline dosing
- Whether it's combined with other areas: Many patients add the Nefertiti lift to an upper-face treatment in the same session, which affects how the provider allocates units.
At New Day Medspa, the provider assesses all of these factors before confirming a unit count. There's no standard formula that applies to every face.
Expert tip: "The Nefertiti lift is one of the techniques where less is more on the first session, especially for the platysma. Too much product in the neck can lead to temporary swallowing difficulty or weakening of adjacent muscles if placement is imprecise. We always start conservatively and adjust at the two-week follow-up. A good result from this treatment looks natural, not frozen."
What do Nefertiti's Botox results look like?
Results from a Nefertiti lift Botox treatment aren't as immediately obvious as a filler treatment that adds visible volume. The change is subtler and structural. Most patients notice it first in photographs or when someone comments that they look rested without being able to pinpoint why. Here's what changes:
- The jawline appears more defined and continuous from the chin to the ear
- Platysmal bands soften at rest and are less prominent during animation
- The lower face looks slightly lifted, particularly around the jowl area
- Horizontal neck creases may improve if addressed as part of the treatment
Results develop fully within 7 to 14 days, consistent with how Botox works across all treatment areas. Full improvement is visible at the two-week follow-up. Duration is 3 to 4 months for most patients, though the neck and platysma area may be slightly shorter in patients with very strong or active platysmal muscles.
Book a complimentary Nefertiti lift consultation at New Day Medspa in Jacksonville. Licensed ARNPs and PAs assess your jawline anatomy, discuss realistic expectations, and confirm the unit count and cost before any treatment begins.
All botulinum toxin products carry an FDA Boxed Warning about the potential for toxin effects to spread beyond the injection site. At cosmetic doses, this is rare, but your provider will review this with you before treatment.
How does the Nefertiti lift compare to a surgical neck lift?
These are not competing treatments. They address different degrees of change and different patient profiles. Here's how they compare:
The Nefertiti lift Botox technique is not a surgical neck lift alternative for patients with moderate-to-severe skin laxity. It's a tool for early intervention or for patients who aren't ready for or interested in surgery. Many patients use it for years as a maintenance strategy and transition to surgical options only when it no longer provides enough correction.
Who is a good candidate for the Nefertiti lift?
Good candidates for the Nefertiti lift Botox technique:
- Have early to moderate jawline softening or jowling
- Have visible platysmal bands at rest or with animation
- Want a non-surgical approach with no downtime
- Are maintaining a stable weight; significant weight fluctuations affect the lower face
Not ideal candidates:
- Patients with significant skin laxity or redundant neck skin: the technique improves contour but doesn't tighten loose skin
- Patients with very little subcutaneous fat; the lifting effect requires sufficient tissue to reposition
- Those expecting surgical-level results from a Botox treatment
About New Day Medspa
New Day Medspa is a medically guided aesthetic practice with a location in Jacksonville, FL. All Botox treatments, including the Nefertiti lift, are performed by licensed ARNPs and PAs with specialized training in facial anatomy and injectable technique. Botox starts at $8.99 per unit, consultations are complimentary, and every treatment plan includes a two-week follow-up to assess results and make any adjustments needed.
Suggested articles
What Is Botox? A Plain-Language Guide to Wrinkle Relaxers - Covers how botulinum toxin works, what areas it treats, and how it differs from fillers; ideal background reading before a Nefertiti lift consultation.
How Many Units of Botox for the forehead? A Complete Dosing Guide - Directly extends the units question into the upper face, useful for patients combining the Nefertiti lift with forehead treatment in the same session.
How Much Is Botox in Jacksonville, FL? A 2026 Price Breakdown - Covers full Jacksonville Botox pricing by area, which helps patients budget a complete face and neck treatment plan that includes the Nefertiti lift.
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