Srpski · English version · Русская версия · Deutsche Version · Nederlandse versie
Nefertiti lift: a sharper jawline and smoother neck, without surgery
A jawline losing its definition and vertical neck bands often come from the same muscle: the platysma, the broad neck muscle that over the years pulls the lower face downward. The Nefertiti lift is a precise botulinum toxin technique that releases that downward pull, so the face looks subtly lifted and the contour cleaner. No incisions, no surgical downtime. At ESTERA in Belgrade we first analyse the anatomy of your face and neck and tell you honestly whether this is the right treatment for you.
Book a consultation Call: +381 66 378 372
Nefertiti lift at a glance
- What you get: a cleaner jawline, softer platysma bands and a smoother neck.
- How it works: botulinum toxin relaxes the platysma, which pulls the lower face down, so the lifting muscles of the face regain the advantage.
- Treatment time: about 15 to 20 minutes, no real downtime.
- Result: develops over 3 to 14 days; duration is individual, usually 3 to 4 months, with a maintenance plan of 2 to 3 sessions a year.
- Price: see the price list; your exact plan is confirmed at the examination.
What is the Nefertiti lift?
The Nefertiti lift is a botulinum toxin technique for the lower face and neck, named after the Egyptian queen Nefertiti, whose jawline remains an icon of beauty. Plastic surgeon Phillip Levy described the technique in 2007 as a way to re-contour the jawline without surgery: a series of small injections along the lower border of the mandible and into the vertical platysma bands of the neck.
The technique now has support from large clinical trials: in a phase 3 randomized study, onabotulinumtoxinA injected into the platysma significantly improved neck and jawline aesthetics compared with placebo, with a good safety profile.
How does it work?
The platysma is a wide, thin muscle running from the upper chest across the neck into the lower face. When it contracts, it pulls the corners of the mouth and the lower face downward and makes vertical neck bands stand out. With age this pull becomes more visible: the jawline softens and the neck looks looser.
Botulinum toxin, placed in precisely chosen points, relaxes the part of the platysma that pulls down. The lifting muscles of the face then act unopposed, so the lower face looks gently lifted and the jawline cleaner. This is not skin tightening; it is a change in muscle balance, which is why the result looks natural when the dose and injection map are well chosen.
Who is it for, and who is it not for?
The Nefertiti lift suits people noticing early to moderate changes: a jawline that is „melting“, early jowls and vertical neck bands that stand out when speaking or tensing. It also works well as prevention for those who want to slow these changes down.
It is just as important to know what this treatment cannot do: marked loose skin, larger fat deposits under the chin or heavy jowls are not solved with botulinum toxin. In those cases we will honestly recommend a different plan, such as Fotona4D laser lifting, double chin treatments, or a consultation about surgical options. The Nefertiti lift is not a replacement for a surgical lift, and we never present it as one.
What is the treatment like?
We start with a consultation: we examine your face and neck at rest and in motion, ask you to tense the platysma („show your teeth and tighten your neck“) and map the bands and pull points. A series of small injections of botulinum toxin is then placed along the lower jawline and into the bands themselves. The treatment takes about 15 to 20 minutes and needs no downtime; most people return to their day straight away.
Results and duration
The first signs of relaxation appear after 3 to 7 days, and the full effect is assessed after 2 to 4 weeks. The result is subtle and natural: a cleaner jawline, softer bands, a smoother neck, without a „frozen“ expression, because the expression muscles of the upper face are untouched.
The effect of botulinum toxin is temporary, usually 3 to 4 months in this region. We therefore build an individual maintenance plan, most often 2 to 3 sessions a year, tailored to your anatomy and response.
Book a consultation Call: +381 66 378 372
What does it combine with?
The Nefertiti lift works best as part of a lower-face plan:
- Masseter botox – when jaw width comes from an enlarged chewing muscle, the combination both slims and sharpens the contour.
- Hyaluronic fillers – for volume and definition of the chin and jawline when anatomy calls for it.
- Fotona4D – when the quality and tightness of the neck skin matter as much as the muscle.
- Skin boosters and polynucleotides – for the skin quality of the neck and décolleté.
The order and choice are set at the examination, according to what your face and neck actually need.
Safety and side effects
The most common side effects are temporary: tenderness, mild swelling or a bruise at the injection point. This region demands anatomical knowledge, because the muscles of smiling and speech are close by; a poorly placed dose can temporarily change the smile or speech. That is why we work conservatively and review the result after 2 to 3 weeks.
The treatment is not performed during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with neuromuscular disorders, active infection at the injection site or known hypersensitivity to any ingredient. At the consultation we check your medication and previous treatments.
How much does it cost?
The price depends on the amount of product needed and the plan agreed at the examination. See the ESTERA price list for the framework; the exact figure and plan are confirmed before treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nefertiti lift painful?
The injections are small and quick, and we use a numbing cream when needed. Most people describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful.
When will I see results?
First changes after 3 to 7 days; the full effect is assessed at the 2 to 4 week review.
Will my smile look unnatural?
With correctly chosen points and doses, no. That is why this region is treated conservatively and with detailed knowledge of lower-face anatomy.
How often is it repeated?
The effect is individual, usually 3 to 4 months. Maintenance is most often 2 to 3 times a year, according to your response.
Can it replace a neck lift?
Not when there is significant loose skin. The Nefertiti lift is a non-surgical option for early and moderate changes; for anything more advanced we will tell you honestly what is realistic.
Book a consultation Call: +381 66 378 372
Read more
Sources
- Levy PM. The ‘Nefertiti lift’: A new technique for specific re-contouring of the jawline. J Cosmet Laser Ther. 2007;9(4):249-52. doi:10.1080/14764170701545657
- Improving Neck and Jawline Aesthetics With OnabotulinumtoxinA by Minimizing Platysma Muscle Contraction Effects: Efficacy and Safety Results in a Phase 3 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. Aesthet Surg J. 2024;45(2):194-206. doi:10.1093/asj/sjae220