The Nefertiti Lift: redefining the jawline and neck without surgery

One area of the face gives away age before any other, and it isn’t the eyes — it’s the jawline. Once the contour loses its edge and vertical cords start showing on the neck, the whole face reads as tired, however well the skin itself is looked after.

The Nefertiti lift was designed for exactly this. It takes its name from the bust of Nefertiti in Berlin: a straight jaw, a long neck, a clean cervical angle. That is precisely the result it aims for.

What the Nefertiti lift actually is

It is a procedure of micro-injections placed along the jawline and over the platysma — the broad, superficial muscle that runs up the neck from the collarbone to the jaw.

The logic sits in what that muscle does. The platysma pulls downwards. Over the years its tone increases, and that constant downward pull blunts the jaw contour, drags the corners of the mouth down and brings out the vertical neck bands. Selectively relaxing the fibres that pull down leaves the mid-face elevator muscles without opposition, and the contour lifts on its own.

Nothing is filled. Nothing is cut. A muscular pull is rebalanced.

What it corrects — and what it doesn’t

Works well for	Not the right indication
Loss of definition along the jawline	Significant excess of loose skin
Vertical platysmal bands on the neck	A double chin caused by fat
Downturned corners of the mouth	Volume loss in cheekbones or chin
Fine horizontal neck lines	Deep SMAS laxity
A tense, strained-looking neck when speaking	Pigmentation or skin texture

When the main issue is submental fat or deep laxity, a different tool is needed: SMAS lifting with Ultraformer III, which reaches the deep muscular layer with focused ultrasound. The consultation decides which of the two — or the combination — fits the case.

What the session looks like

1. Assessment in movement. Dr. Yanna examines the neck and jaw at rest, while speaking and while clenching. Every person’s contraction pattern differs, and it determines where the injections go.
2. Mapping. Points are marked along the jaw border and over the platysmal bands.
3. Application. Very superficial micro-injections with a fine-gauge needle. It takes 15 to 20 minutes.
4. Straight back to your day. No dressings, no downtime.

Aftercare is simple: don’t lie down or exercise hard for four hours, don’t massage the area, and avoid sauna or extreme heat on day one.

When you see it, and how long it lasts

Timing	What happens
Days 1–3	Nothing yet. This is expected.
Days 4–7	First changes: the neck feels less tight when you speak.
Days 10–15	Result settled. The jaw contour reads straighter.
Months 4–6	Usual duration of the effect.
After a year	With regular sessions the muscle weakens progressively and intervals lengthen.

Nefertiti lift or Ultraformer III?

	Nefertiti lift	HIFU SMAS lifting
Acts on	Platysmal muscular pull	SMAS layer and deep dermis
Visible result	10–15 days	2–3 months
Duration	4–6 months	12–18 months
Best for	Contour lost to downward pull	Structural laxity and sagging
Typical age	35–55	40–65

They don’t compete — they complement each other. A large share of jawline cases in clinic resolve better by combining both in one plan, alongside targeted neck lifting treatment.

Who isn’t a candidate

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Neuromuscular conditions.
• Active infection or broken skin in the treatment area.
• Expectations of a surgical change: if the goal is removing excess skin, the honest answer is surgery, not this technique.

Frequently asked questions

Does the Nefertiti lift hurt?

Discomfort is mild and very brief. The needles are fine-gauge and the injections superficial. Most patients describe it as a series of quick pinches. No anaesthetic is needed.

Will people be able to tell?

Not when it is correctly dosed. The technique doesn’t freeze expression — it works on a neck muscle, not on the muscles you smile with. The goal is a neck that looks rested, not a face that doesn’t move.

How many sessions do I need?

One session gives the full result. Maintenance is planned every 4–6 months depending on individual response.

Can it be combined with hyaluronic acid?

Yes, and it very often is. The Nefertiti lift repositions; hyaluronic acid replaces volume where it is missing. Both are planned together as part of facial harmonisation, usually in the same visit.

From what age does it make sense?

From the first loss of jawline definition, typically between 35 and 40. Starting early and maintaining gives a more natural result than waiting until sagging is established.

Consultation in La Zenia

The consultation includes a muscle-pattern assessment, clinical photography and a written plan with alternatives and pricing. You can check current prices before you come.

Reviewed by Dr. Yanna, medical director of Clínica MedYDerma (La Zenia, Orihuela Costa). Informational content; it does not replace an in-person medical assessment.