title: The Facial Platysma and Its Underappreciated Role in Lower Face Dynamics and Contour.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The platysma is a superficial muscle involved in important features of the aging neck. Vertical bands, horizontal lines, and loss of lower face contour are effectively treated with botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A). However, its pars facialis, mandibularis, and modiolaris have been underappreciated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the role of BoNT-A treatment of the upper platysma and its impact on lower face dynamics and contour.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of cases treated by an injection pattern encompassing the facial platysma components, aiming to block the lower face as a whole complex. It consisted of 2 intramuscular injections into the mentalis muscle and 2 horizontal lines of BoNT-A injections superficially performed above and below the mandible (total dose, 16 onabotulinumtoxinA U/side). Photographs were taken at rest and during motion (frontal and oblique views), before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 161 patients have been treated in the last 2 years with the following results: frontal and lateral enhancement of lower facial contour, relaxation of high horizontal lines located just below the lateral mandibular border, and lower deep vertical smile lines present lateral to the oral commissures and melomental folds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The upper platysma muscle plays a relevant role in the functional anatomy of the lower face that can be modulated safely with neuromodulators.
authors.affiliation: *Dermatologic Clinic, Hospital do Servidor Público Municipal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; †Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Ada R T
authors.initials: ART
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Romiti
authors.forename: Jean D A
authors.initials: JDA
authors.lastname: Carruthers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques; D004954:Esthetics; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A