Deborah Tosline wrote and published “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” in 2015. Her approach to skin care is based on a scientific background, love of research and over 30 years of DIY skincare experience.

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There are many reasons to keep the Platysma and other neck muscles strong and flexible. Neck muscles support blood flow to the brain and protect motor neurons and brain to body messages. They help you breathe, swallow, and eat. Strong neck muscles help prevent neck strain and maintain refined facial and neck contours. 

Neck muscles consist of superficial muscles that lie just beneath the skin and deep muscles which are closer to bones and organs.

Fascia is the connective tissue that underlies the skin and surrounds and supports muscles, vessels and nerves. Neck fascia support and encase muscles in the neck and allow muscles to glide between one another. Note to self – stay hydrated to keep the fascia lubricated to support smooth muscle gliding. 

Superficial neck muscles on the front of the neck include the platysma and the sternocleidomastoid. The broad platysma originates from the upper chest (pectoral muscles) and shoulders (deltoid muscle) and spans the collarbone (clavicle) before extending up along the sides of the neck. The platysma narrows as it extends over the jawbone (mandible). 

It was previously thought that the platysma stops at the jaw, however it may extend up into the lower portions of the face spidering its fibers into the skin and soft tissue around the mouth and may even extend up into the cheek bone and lower regions of the orbicularis oculi eye muscle that controls the eyelid. Wow, if the platysma sags, everything below the eyes may sag with it!

The platysma muscle partially overlies the sternocleidomastoid muscle which flexes the neck and supports head movement. Superficial cervical fascia located between the two muscles allows the platysma to glide easily over the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

The trapezius is the most superficial muscle of the back and neck and is one of the widest back muscles. The trapezius supports upright posture, the back of the neck, tilting and turning the head and neck, shrugging the shoulders and twisting the arms. 

When the platysma is strong and healthy it promotes collagen and elastin production.

When the platysma muscle becomes thinner, less well defined and weak it loses strength and elasticity and can no longer easily support the neck, this potentially leads to discomfort and pain. As the platysma loses strength and elasticity it sags and the overlying skin sags as well.

Recent research shows that the platysma extends further into the face than previously thought. The superficial musculoaponeurotic system (SMAS) is intimately associated with the facial muscles and all of their activities and works with superficial fascia in the face and neck area. This system connects facial muscles to the dermis in the face and neck. This suggests that if you maintain strength and flexibility in the soft tissue of the face and neck that this will support the overlying skin. Maintain strong face and neck muscles to promote good neck health and well-being, as a result you will likely develop a refined facial profile.   

Neck bands were believed to result from skin laxity, loss of tone, and platysma detachment. Research of folks with partial facial paralysis indicates that the action of contracting the platysma promotes banding which results in skin laxity. Neck skin laxity is the result of platysma banding, instead of the other way around.  

The platysma muscle and other neck and lower facial muscles are similar to muscles in the body and also a little different. The muscles in the body connect bone to bone. Facial and neck muscles connect bone to muscle and bone to skin. This means that if a facial muscle sags, the overlying skin will sag also. Another difference is that facial muscles are much smaller than the muscles of the body. Despite any differences, facial muscles and body muscles may be strengthened via exercise. The platysma muscle may be maintained or strengthened using progressively more difficult exercises.

Dr. Oz reports that facial exercises “can help make you look up to three years younger — they're like a DIY, at-home facelift!” He validates something that Deborah Crowley (Flex Effect), Carol Maggio (Facercise) and so many other long-time champions of facial exercise have known. No amount of expensive creams will firm the facial muscles. If you want toned facial contours you must strengthen face and neck muscles like the platysma with exercise! These exercises from Happy Face Yoga include a platysma strengthening exercise. 

Use the library, bookstore, internet or a You Tube search to find neck exercises that suit your pocket book and life-style. Start slow until you develop strength and flexibility in the neck. Once you build platysma strength using simple exercises, consider using resistance training to further strengthen neck muscles. 

Research shows that when conventional neck exercises are compared to resistance band exercises, the resistance band exercises were found to be beneficial and more effective for strengthening neck muscles than conventional methods. Resistance band exercises were found to reduce neck pain, neck disability and improve head posture. 

Research has shown that one year of either strength or endurance training seems to moderately improve neck pain and quality of life. 

It’s time to gently pursue platysma and neck exercises for health = beauty.

Although I have not used Cynthia Rowlands exercise program, Cynthia posts great before and after photos on her website. Check out facial exercise results here.

I’ve practiced a variety of neck exercises provided in the Flex Effect Facial Resistance Training program from about 2002, although in recent years I have not been as diligent. I recently began using resistance exercise bands to strengthen my platysma and other neck muscles. My approach is slow and steady. I do not want to create neck pain or stiffness so I used light resistance in the beginning. As my neck muscles build and get stronger, I increase the resistance band tension and exercise repetitions. 

I feel confident that consistent exercise will strengthen, tighten, and shorten the platysma and other neck muscles that support my neck. This will allow me to prevent neck injuries while sculpting the neck and jaw area for a more refined profile.

Resistant bands are a useful addition to your home gym. They are easy to use, provide variable tensions, are portable and can be used for overall body strength. I have found them to be perfect for platysma resistance strengthening.

I knot the ends of a resistance training band together. I place the knot between a door and the door frame and shut the door to hold the resistance band. I place the band around my forehead, create resistance by walking away from the door, ensure good posture and pulse my head gently using controlled movements forward and backward. I reset the resistance band to each side of my head and pulse my head to the side over my shoulder and back against the resistance. I also place the resistance band on the back of my head, create resistance and then pulse my head back and forth against the resistance. 

If you choose to maintain and/or strengthen your platysma muscle, proceed carefully and be gentle. Assess your current neck health and design a gentle neck exercise program that will slowly help you strengthen the neck muscles. 

Neck muscle strength is primarily a health issue to prevent neck pain and discomfort – but hey if a strong platysma results in a firmer neck, jaw and cheeks we’ll take it!

 If you need more information, go to the library, search the Internet, read my past Blog articles, or get my book “Skin Remodeling DIY: An Introduction to the Underground World of Do-It-Yourself Skincare” 

Take good care of yourselves!

XO Deborah

This article is intended to be used as general information only and is in no way intended to replace medical advice, be used as a medical treatment program, diagnosis, or cure of any disease or medical condition. There are no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding the effectiveness of the practices described in this article. Products or substances discussed herein are for educational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations of the author.