FDA approves SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM as the first hyaluronic acid injectable for horizontal neck wrinkles, supported by pivotal data showing significant improvements lasting up to six months.
Written By: Nalam Karthik, PharmD
Reviewed By: Pharmacally Editorial Team
Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie company, has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for SKINVIVE by JUVÉDERM® to reduce neck lines and improve neck appearance in adults over the age of 21. The approval expands the product’s aesthetic indications beyond the cheeks and establishes a new treatment option for one of the most common signs of visible skin aging.
According to the company, SKINVIVE is the first and only hyaluronic acid (HA) injectable approved specifically for horizontal neck wrinkles. The product is intended to improve skin quality while reducing the appearance of neck lines, an area where treatment options have historically been limited.
Addressing a Growing Aesthetic Concern
Horizontal neck lines can develop through intrinsic aging, cumulative sun exposure, weight fluctuations, and repetitive downward head positioning associated with frequent use of smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices. Often referred to as “tech neck,” these wrinkles have become an increasingly common aesthetic concern among younger and middle-aged adults.
Unlike traditional dermal fillers that primarily restore lost volume, SKINVIVE uses microdroplet injections of crosslinked hyaluronic acid to improve skin hydration and quality. By helping the skin retain natural moisture, the treatment enhances smoothness, softness, and overall skin appearance. The formulation also contains lidocaine to improve patient comfort during administration.
Pivotal Trial Demonstrated Durable Improvement
The approval was supported by a randomized, multicenter, evaluator-blinded, controlled pivotal clinical study that assessed the safety and effectiveness of SKINVIVE for horizontal neck lines.
At one month after treatment, 74.8% of participants achieved at least a one-point improvement from baseline on the validated five-grade Allergan Transverse Neck Lines Scale (ATNLS), meeting the study’s primary efficacy objective. The improvement proved durable, with 66% of evaluable participants maintaining at least a one-point reduction in neck-line severity six months after treatment.
Investigators also observed sustained improvements in overall neck appearance throughout follow-up. More than 78% of participants who improved from baseline maintained favorable overall aesthetic assessments across study timepoints, supporting the durability of treatment benefits.
Optimal treatment may include an optional touch-up procedure approximately one month after the initial session, depending on individual patient response and aesthetic goals.
Safety Profile Consistent with Injectable Aesthetics
The safety findings were consistent with those typically observed following injectable aesthetic procedures. The most frequently reported treatment-related adverse events included redness, bruising, tenderness, swelling, firmness, pain, itching, discoloration, and injection-site lumps or bumps.
Most adverse events were mild, self-limiting, and resolved within two weeks without medical intervention. Severe treatment-related events were uncommon, occurring in fewer than 5% of participants reporting adverse reactions. Similar safety outcomes were observed following touch-up and repeat treatments.
The company noted that the safety and effectiveness of SKINVIVE neck treatment have not been established in patients with darker skin tones.
Strategic Expansion of the Aesthetics Portfolio
Darin Messina, Ph.D., Senior Vice President of Aesthetics Research and Development at AbbVie, said the approval reflects continued investment in evidence-based aesthetic innovations that address unmet patient needs beyond traditional facial rejuvenation procedures.
The decision broadens Allergan Aesthetics’ lower-face and neck portfolio while providing clinicians with a dedicated injectable option for improving neck skin quality and reducing visible neck lines.
Commercial Rollout and Provider Training
As part of the approval, the FDA has required Allergan Aesthetics to implement a provider training program before healthcare professionals can purchase or administer SKINVIVE for neck treatment. The company expects broad commercial availability in the United States later this year.
The approval marks an important expansion of the injectable aesthetics market, where demand continues to grow for minimally invasive procedures that address age-related skin changes beyond the face. With a dedicated neck indication supported by clinical evidence, SKINVIVE introduces a new treatment category focused on improving both skin quality and wrinkle appearance in a traditionally challenging treatment area.
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About the Writer
Nalam Karthik (LinkedIn) is a healthcare writer and PharmD graduate with interests in pharmacovigilance, drug safety, clinical data analysis, and quality assurance. He is passionate about translating clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge into accessible healthcare content while staying engaged with advancements in drug development and patient safety initiatives.