When the jawline begins to soften
There comes a point where the jawline that was once sharp starts to blur. It is often gradual — a slow softening of the angle beneath the chin, a few lines appearing on the neck, the sense that the lower face is being pulled down rather than held up. For many people, it is the neck rather than the face that signals the change first.
This is not something that happens because the skin alone has aged. Beneath the surface, a broad sheet of muscle called the platysma runs from the jaw down the neck, and as it tightens and over-pulls with time, it drags the lower face downward.
The platysma and why it matters
The platysma is a thin, wide muscle that covers the front of the neck. In some people, it pulls strongly downward, creating vertical bands in the neck and softening the jawline. The Nefertiti lift — named after Queen Nefertiti's famously elegant jaw — works by selectively relaxing the parts of this muscle that pull down, allowing the natural lifting muscles of the upper face to redefine the jaw without opposition.
Understanding the platysma's anatomy is central to placing these injections well. It is not a treatment that works by filling or adding volume. It works by rebalancing the forces that shape the jaw and neck.
How the treatment works
Using a fine needle, small amounts of muscle-relaxing protein are placed along the jawline and into the upper platysma. The injections are superficial and targeted — the aim is to quieten the downward pull without affecting the deeper muscles involved in swallowing or speech.
Over the following days, the platysma relaxes. With the downward tension reduced, the jawline appears sharper and the neck smoother. The result is a redefinition rather than a transformation — the face you have, held a little more firmly.
What happens at your appointment
Sarah begins with a full assessment of your neck and jaw anatomy — examining how the platysma moves when you speak and express, and where the downward pull is strongest. A full medical history is taken, and she will discuss whether this treatment is the right approach for your concerns.
The treatment itself takes around twenty minutes. A series of small injections are placed along the jaw and upper neck. Discomfort is minimal, and you can return to your normal activities immediately, with a few simple aftercare precautions.
Results and realistic expectations
Results develop over five to fourteen days as the muscle relaxes. The jawline appears more defined and neck bands soften. The full effect is visible at around two weeks.
Results typically last three to four months. This is a non-surgical treatment, and we are honest about that — it will not replicate the results of a surgical neck lift. But for the right person, it offers a meaningful refinement without surgery, scars, or downtime.
Aftercare
After treatment, you will be advised to avoid lying flat, strenuous exercise, and excessive neck movement for the rest of the day. This helps the product settle in the intended muscles. We will provide clear aftercare guidance and arrange a follow-up to review your results.