First HA Injectable for Neck Wrinkles Cleared by FDA

The FDA has approved skinvive by Juvederm (Allergan Aesthetics; AbbVie) to reduce neck lines and improve overall neck appearance in adults over 21—marking the first hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable ever cleared specifically for this indication.¹

Allergan Aesthetics announced the approval, which expands skinvive's existing indications beyond the face and into the neck—a region that has historically lacked FDA-cleared injectable options.² Unlike traditional volume-adding fillers that physically displace tissue, skinvive works by helping skin retain its natural moisture, softness, and smoothness. The mechanism positions it more as a skin quality treatment than a structural correction, a distinction that may shape how providers and patients approach conversations about neck rejuvenation.

The product is administered via ultrafine needle or cannula and contains lidocaine to support patient comfort during treatment. It is minimally invasive with little to no downtime. Results last 6 months with optimal treatment, which may include an optional touch-up at one month depending on patient need.

Neck wrinkles can develop through several overlapping pathways: natural aging, cumulative sun damage, significant weight loss, and repetitive downward head flexion from prolonged use of phones, tablets, and other devices—a pattern increasingly called "tech neck."³ Skinvive specifically addresses horizontal neck lines formed by these mechanisms, filling a gap that many patients raise in the exam room but providers have had limited cleared options to treat.

Pivotal Trial Efficacy

FDA approval was supported by a randomized, multicenter, evaluator-blinded, controlled pivotal clinical study. Efficacy was assessed using the validated 5-grade photonumeric Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale (ATNLS), with clinically significant improvement defined as a change of at least one point from baseline.

At the 1-month primary endpoint, 74.8% of skinvive-treated participants achieved that threshold. Durability held up over time: two-thirds of participants (66%) maintained at least a one-point improvement at the 6-month mark. Among all participants who showed any improvement from baseline, responder rates remained at or above 78% at every timepoint throughout the study—a result the company described as reflecting durable skin-quality benefits rather than a transient cosmetic effect.

Safety Profile

The safety profile was consistent with other HA injectable treatments. Participants self-reported injection-site adverse events via electronic diary, including redness, bruising, tenderness, swelling, lumps/bumps, firmness, pain, discoloration, and itching. Most were mild—causing little discomfort with no effect on daily activities—did not require medical intervention, and resolved within two weeks.

Severe adverse events were uncommon, occurring in fewer than 5% of participants (7 out of 147 who reported any adverse event). Adverse event rates were similar or lower following touch-up and repeat treatments, suggesting the tolerability profile remains stable across sessions.

One notable limitation: the safety and effectiveness of the neck treatment were not evaluated in patients with darker skin tones, a gap that future study may need to address.

Mandatory Provider Training

Given the novelty of the indication, the FDA has required Allergan Aesthetics to establish a training program for all interested providers. Completion of that training is a prerequisite before a provider may purchase or administer skinvive by juvederm for neck use—a requirement the company is rolling out ahead of anticipated broad commercial availability later this year.

The approval adds a first-of-its-kind option to the lower face and neck treatment landscape and gives patients and providers a new category of cleared intervention for a cosmetic concern that has historically outpaced available solutions.

References

1. Allergan Aesthetics receives U.S. FDA approval for SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® for the improvement of neck appearance. News release. AbbVie. Published June 16, 2026. Accessed June 16, 2026. https://news.abbvie.com/2026-06-16-Allergan-Aesthetics-Receives-U-S-FDA-Approval-for-SKINVIVE-by-JUVEDERM-R-for-the-Improvement-of-Neck-Appearance
2. Liu J, Gao M, Hu H, Pang H, Liu Y, Zhang P. Facial injectable fillers in aesthetic medicine: Clinical applications and safety strategies. Med Sci Monit. 2025;31:e949944. doi:10.12659/MSM.949944
3. Young MB, Lai W, Kononov T, Zahr AS. A rejuvenating treatment targeting "tech neck" lines and wrinkles in Chinese women: A prospective, open-label, single-center study. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2023;22(1):226-235. doi:10.1111/jocd.15497