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Last year certainly saw us master skin rejuvenation and embrace the trend of ‘longevity’. But why do so many of us still forget key areas such as the neck and hands, which commonly show signs of ageing? 2026 is set to solve this conundrum with the rise of botulinum toxin for the neck.
The neck as a key indicator of age
The care we have put into keeping our faces looking fresh, healthy and youthful has grown exponentially in recent years. Whether it’s more rigorous skincare routines or targeted aesthetic treatments like polynucleotides and microneedling, the focus on facial skin is evident. But what about the neck? Sadly, it’s an area that’s often left behind. This is somewhat surprising, given your neck is an extension of the face—and a clear indicator of age.
“The neck is one of the earliest and most revealing indicators of ageing, and even the most beautifully rejuvenated face can be contradicted by a neck that has been neglected. There are several reasons for this,” explains Cosmetic Doctor and EV Expert, Dr Raquel Amado. These include, she says, our failure to truly care for our neck as much as the face (with skincare, treatments and SPF usage), as well as the fact the neck is constantly moving.
“Swallowing, talking, and the modern ‘tech-neck’ posture all create horizontal necklace lines, vertical platysma bands and skin laxity. Because the platysma is L such a dominant muscle, it pulls the lower face downward over time.”
"The neck is one of the earliest and most revealing indicators of ageing, and even the most beautifully rejuvenated face can be contradicted by a [neglected] neck...
Botulinum toxin for the neck
As with the hands, we’re gradually becoming aware of this neck ‘issue,’ and experts say that 2026 will see a rise in demand for cosmetic procedures that address it—namely, botulinum toxin. Not traditionally a ‘typical’ area for this type of injectable, it’s set to become big business.
“In my opinion, treating the neck has become more of a focus for patients, because people are nowadays very good at treating and taking care of their face with skincare, sun protection, injectables such as botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, skin boosters, collagen stimulators, devices and even surgical facelifts,” begins Aesthetic Doctor, Dr Alicia Gonzalez-Fernandez.
“This leads to people seeing their neck age at a faster rate compared to their face, and because anatomically they are next to each other, the contrast can be quite marked.”
She adds: “With the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists, we are seeing people lose large amounts of weight in a short time, contributing to neck skin laxity, which then becomes an area of concern for them.”
So how does it work? Well, there are several options, the first of which is preventative. In fact, says Dr Amado, the neck is one of “the most powerful areas for preventative work” with botulinum toxin. This is because it can prevent jowling, reduce the downward pull on the jawline and “prevent the platysma from overpowering facial support structures.” This is of course only a viable approach for those who aren’t already experiencing signs of ageing in the area.
For those who are and need a more targeted, active approach to treating the area, Dr Gonzalez-Fernandez says that the ‘Nefertiti Neck Lift’ is the answer. Named after ancient Egypt’s Queen Nefertiti, celebrated for her elegantly sculpted neck and defined jawline, the ‘Nefertiti Neck Lift’ uses strategically placed botulinum toxin in the lower face, jawline, and neck to create a lifted appearance.
One of the key benefits of this approach, she explains, is that it targets the platysma muscle directly. “The result is very natural and subtle, but still significant.”
Key candidates for treatment
There are several factors to consider here. The first, of course, is age. For younger clients who may be starting to see signs of ageing on the neck and who want to take an early, active approach, preventative botulinum toxin can be a useful tool. For older patients who have signs such as sagging and drooping around the neck, it can also be the answer—or part of a wider treatment plan.
“The right candidate is whoever is troubled by their neck bands and wants a subtle and natural improvement to their jawline and neck,” says Gonzalez-Fernandez. It’s important to manage expectations, however: “If a patient’s concern is large amounts of skin laxity or excess skin, the results of this treatment may be underwhelming for them. It is best suited for patients troubled by their neck bands and jawline but with mild skin laxity.”
How many treatments are needed?
It will take ongoing sessions to achieve the best results, meaning this is a longer term investment. Gonzalez-Fernandez explains that while you will see effects after just a single treatment session, you will need to repeat the pocess every three-to-four months.
“We also need to remember that results are not immediately seen after the injections. Toxin starts working two days after being injected and its full effect is seen after two weeks, at which point your aesthetic doctor should offer you a review as part of the treatment, to gauge if you need more botulinum toxin injected into the area for optimal results,” concludes Gonzalez-Fernandez.
