The Jaw Line: If the Nefertiti Lift Doesn’t Work, What are my Options?

As mentioned in my previous post, improving the definition of the jaw line with Botox (the “Nefertiti Lift”) sounds great but is probably not an effective technique.

    

Surgery (i.e., a facelift) is still the most effective option.  Certainly, traditional surgical techniques can tighten underlying muscles and lift the droopy skin; the result is a smooth, well-defined jaw line with the appearance of a longer neck.

    

On the other hand, most of my patients don’t want surgery!  They have liked the effects of injectables (like Botox) and have preferred the near absence of side effects and downtime.

    

For patients who don’t want an operation but still seek improvement in their jaw lines, hope is not lost!  I frequently use injectable products (such as Juvederm, Restylane, Elevess, Evolence, Radiesse, and Sculptra) to fill in concavities along the lower face.

    

In particular, the depressions just in front of the jowls, just behind and to the sides of the chin (known as the pre-jowl sulci) can be easily filled.  This simple technique (in under 30 minutes, in the office, under local anesthesia) minimizes the appearance of the jowls and “straightens” the jaw line.

    

Advertisements for “Nefertiti Lifts,” “laser lifts,” “thread lifts,” Thermage, and Titan can seduce.  If it sounds too good to be true, it just may be!

    

Be careful when evaluating the before-and-after photographs in advertisements for new products.  They are frequently deceptive because inconsistencies in lighting and camera positioning can “demonstrate” improvements even if none actually occurred.  Always check with your Board Certified Plastic Surgeon before embarking on any new intervention.