The whole process took about five minutes. Dr. Levine asked me to frown several times and flex my neck so that she could see where my platysma bands were most noticeable. As I did that, she used a marking pencil to plot out where she would need to inject. Ultimately, she placed markings on both sides of my face at the corners of my mouth, jawline, chin, and at the upper part of the front of my neck where “the platysma muscle is at its maximum strength,” says Dr. Levine. (This is not to be confused with the trapezius muscle on the upper back, where neurotoxins can also be injected—you may have heard of “traptox”—to create the effect of an elongated neck.)
Dr. Levine opted to use Daxxify for my Nefertiti Lift because in addition to being a neurotoxin, it contains peptides which she says can help with skin quality and leave the skin with a noticeable glow. Not to mention, she says that in her experience it’s the fastest-working neurotoxin on the market, with results typically visible within two days and full results seen around two weeks post-injection.
To help distract from any pain of the needle going into the skin, her lovely assistant would squeeze my shoulder to divert my attention away from the prick, making the treatment as tolerable as possible. Though Dr. Levine was careful and gentle, I found getting injected in the neck area to be more painful than in my face. When all was said and done, I had received around 60 units of Daxxify (in the form of a couple dozen teeny-tiny, strategically-placed injections), which for the Botox-literate (and because the dosing is different), is equivalent to about 30 to 50 units of Botox. “The average dosing is 30 to 50 units, but could be more or less. It is really patient dependent,” says Dr. Levine.
Afterwards, I pretty much went on with my day as usual and washed my face as I would normally that night. As with any neurotoxin injection, it’s advised to avoid lying down for about three to four hours afterwards to ensure the neurotoxin doesn’t migrate. Dr. Engelman also tells patients to refrain from intense exercise for 24 hours for the same reason.
How much does a Nefertiti Lift cost?
The cost of the Nefertiti Lift is dependent upon your doctor, geographic location, and whether the provider charges by unit or area treated. “Because this treatment is customizable, costs can range anywhere from $500 to $2,000,” says Dr. Engelman. “Typically, 20 to 50 units of [neurotoxin] are used, and since prices are usually charged per unit, the cost can vary significantly.” Dr. Levine charges by area to ensure that the results are not cost dependent and that the patient gets the precise number of units needed to get the most balanced and best outcome possible. My treatment would have been $1,500 but was performed gratis with the understanding I’d be writing about my experience.
What are the side effects of a Nefertiti Lift?
With any neurotoxin injection, there is always the possibility of bruising or swelling right after, which should subside within a week, says Dr. Engelman. Temporary redness at the injection site, discomfort or pain, and a headache are also possible side effects.