A defined jawline and a smooth neck often become less so with age, especially as skin laxity changes and the platysma muscle becomes overactive, pulling the face downward. The Nefertiti lift is a nonsurgical procedure that restores this definition. At Mimi Lee M.D. PA in Little Rock, AR, Dr. Mimi Lee uses neuromodulator injections to lift the jaw and contour the neckline. With more than twenty years of microinjection experience, Dr. Lee shapes her treatments around each patient’s individualities.
What Is the Nefertiti Lift?
The Nefertiti Lift is a non-surgical treatment named after Queen Nefertiti, who was admired for her elegant jaw and graceful profile. We perform this treatment using Botox®, a neuromodulator that relaxes muscles when injected. Much of the aging in the neck comes from muscles that pull the skin downward with age. When these are relaxed using Botox, the neck and jawline are able to appear smoother. This treatment can be customized based on the patient, so results can look natural.
How Does the Nefertiti Lift Work?
The platysma is a wide, flat muscle that goes from the collarbone, across the neck and into the lower face. This muscle tightens with age because of repeated movement and a loss of tissue elasticity that causes it to pull inward. As it tightens, it pulls the jawline and the corners of the mouth downward. On the neck, it can cause platysmal bands that thicken with age and are more prominent when speaking or tensing the jaw.
The active ingredient in Botox, Botulinum toxin type A, interrupts the signal that causes the muscle to contract. Once Dr. Lee injects it into the muscle, Botox interrupts the messenger, a protein called acetylcholine, from reaching the muscle. This only works on the nerve endings near each injection, so Dr. Lee can relax the platysma without affecting your other expressions. The results are temporary. Eventually the nerves regrow and start releasing acetylcholine again, and normal muscle movement returns.
What Does the Nefertiti Lift Treat?
Dr. Lee uses it to address:
- A blurred jawline: Relaxing the muscles that pull the jaw downward restores a more defined edge along the jawline.
- Platysma bands: These vertical cords stand out on the neck as the platysma muscle becomes more active with age, and injections relax the muscle to smooth them.
- Jowls: Softening the downward pull along the lower face reduces the sagging look that develops at the jawline.
- Downturned mouth corners: Relaxing the muscles that pull the mouth down lifts the corners and eases a tired or unhappy look.
What Are the Benefits of the Nefertiti Lift?
Nonsurgical
The Nefertiti Lift can improve the contours of your jaw and neck without any of the hassles that come with surgery, including incisions, anesthesia, downtime, time away from work and more. It offers a temporary result for patients who don’t want surgery and comes with less cost and commitment.
Short Appointments With No Downtime
Each Botox treatment takes around twenty to thirty minutes. You can fit it into a lunch break at work, and you don’t have to worry about changing your normal activities, with a few small exceptions.
Preserves Natural Expressions
Dr. Lee’s goal is to relax specific muscles through Botox injections without affecting other expressions. You will keep your normal range of movement, but will look more rested than you did before. The dosing and placement are all customizable based on muscle strength and how strong you want the results to be.
Pairs Well With Other Treatments
Because it is minimally invasive and convenient, it can be paired with other treatments to enhance the face and neck areas. Some people choose it alongside fillers to improve volume in the cheeks and lips.
What Is the Procedure Like?
Before the treatment, Dr. Lee will apply a topical numbing cream to your skin in the areas she will be injecting. This will keep you from feeling pain and discomfort during the treatment. She uses a fine needle to place a small amount of neuromodulator along the jaw and down the neck, following the pattern of the platysma muscle. The full treatment takes twenty to thirty minutes.
You will not see results right away. The neuromodulator needs a few days to relax the treated muscles, and the full effects will appear after this. You will notice your jawline gradually looking sharper and your neck looking smoother as the product begins to work. Dr. Lee has administered over 130,000 units of botulinum toxin over her career, and knows how to place each injection so that the product has the maximum effects and most precision.
How to Prepare for Your Nefertiti Lift
A few simple steps before your visit can help lower the chance of bruising and give you the best result. Several days ahead of time, stop any blood-thinning medications (after discussing it with your doctor) and any supplements that can increase bruising after injectable treatments. These products can include aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo biloba, St. John’s Wort and turmeric, among others. You should also avoid alcohol for at least 24 hours before your appointment for the same reason.
Dr. Lee has her patients begin taking Arnicare tablets two days before injectable treatments to limit bruising. Avoid heavy products or makeup on the morning of your treatment to keep the skin clear and clean, and plan to work out before your injections instead of after.
What to Expect After Treatment
You can return to most normal activities as soon as you leave, but you may notice some redness and swelling at the injection sites for a short time. You can apply ice packs to the treated area when needed. Stay upright for four hours after your appointment and avoid heavy exercise for the rest of the day. You should avoid rubbing or massaging the injection sites to keep the product from moving before it settles, and continue taking your Arnicare tablets for several days after the treatment.
Tips for Maintaining Your Results
A few habits help your results last and keep your skin healthy between visits. To get the most from your Nefertiti Lift:
- Schedule maintenance treatments every three to four months so the treated muscles stay relaxed and your jaw and neck keep their definition.
- Wear sunscreen every day, since ultraviolet light breaks down the collagen and elastin that keep your skin firm.
- Drink enough water and follow a steady skincare routine so your skin stays healthy and supple.
- Avoid smoking, which speeds facial aging and can shorten how long your result lasts.
- Stay in regular contact with Dr. Lee so she can adjust your dosing and placement when needed for future appointments.
Who Is a Good Candidate for the Nefertiti Lift?
Good candidates for the Nefertiti lift are healthy adults with early jowling or mild banding on the neck. The treatment is better for those whose changes come from tight and pulling muscles rather than loose skin. Dr. Lee will also make sure the skin is healthy in the treatment area, with no infections or irritations.
The Nefertiti Lift is not suitable for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for those who have a history of neuromuscular disorders. All of this will be discussed during an honest conversation with Dr. Lee, who will be able to confirm that you are a good fit through a consultation.
The Nefertiti Lift vs. Other Options
Several treatments that we offer address the lower face and neck, but work in different ways. We focus on injectable treatments, including neuromodulators and dermal fillers. Neuromodulators like Botox can be used in many areas of the face, including the forehead, around the eyes, the brows and the neck. Dermal fillers are useful for adding volume and can rebuild the structure along the jaw. Often, the two treatments can work well together and can be performed during the same appointment.
FAQs About the Nefertiti Lift
How long does the Nefertiti lift last?
Results generally last three to four months, similar to other neuromodulator treatments. The exact length depends on your metabolism, the strength of your muscles, the amount of sun exposure and how much product was used. With regular maintenance, the treated muscles tend to stay relaxed for longer, allowing for more time between sessions. Dr. Lee can set a schedule that keeps your jaw and neck looking consistent through the year.
How long until I see my results from the Nefertiti lift?
The neuromodulator does not act right away. Most patients begin to notice a softer, lifted look within three to five days, with the full effect visible around two weeks after treatment. If you have an event coming up, plan your visit at least two weeks ahead so the result has time to settle.
Does the Nefertiti lift tighten loose skin?
The Nefertiti Lift does not tighten or remove loose skin. Patients with significant skin laxity usually need a skin-tightening treatment or a surgical lift for the result they want. Dr. Lee assesses your skin during your consultation and tells you honestly whether this treatment will meet your goals.
Is the Nefertiti lift painful?
Patients feel very little during treatment. Dr. Lee applies a topical numbing cream before she begins, so the injections are comfortable, and she uses a fine needle for each placement. Any tenderness afterward is usually mild and brief. Ice and Arnicare tablets help with swelling or bruising in the day or two that follow.
How much does a Nefertiti Lift cost?
The cost depends on how many units of neuromodulator your treatment needs, which varies with the strength of your platysma muscle and the degree of correction you want. Because every patient’s anatomy is different, Dr. Lee sets your price after she examines your jaw and neck and maps out a treatment plan. At that visit, you receive a quote before anything begins, so there are no surprises.
About Dr. Lee
Dr. Mimi Lee is a cosmetic and vein specialist in Little Rock, Arkansas, known for her precision and her natural-looking results. With more than two decades of experience in microinjections, she has personally administered over 130,000 units of botulinum toxin along with thousands of syringes of dermal filler. Her background as a surgeon gives her a deep understanding of facial anatomy, which guides where and how she places each injection.
Dr. Lee takes time to understand what each patient wants and plans treatment around their individual features. Her work has earned recognition, including AY Magazine’s Best Non-Surgical Cosmetic Professional and Face of Botox and Dermal Filler. Patients across the Little Rock area return to her for injectable treatments year after year.
Schedule a Consultation for Jawline and Neck Contouring in Little Rock, AR
The Nefertiti Lift can sharpen your jawline and smooth your neck with no surgery and no downtime. At Mimi Lee M.D. PA, you receive a plan built around your face by a physician with more than twenty years of experience. Dr. Lee will review your goals, look at how your muscles move and tell you whether the treatment is the right fit before anything begins. Call 501-224-0880 to schedule your consultation, or visit our office at Pavilion Centre, 8315 Cantrell Road, Suite 130 in Little Rock, AR.