Heather Muir Maffei brings more than 15 years of beauty know-how to readers at Real Simple and Health magazines as beauty director. She has worked at Cosmopolitan, Seventeen, Allure, Fitness Magazine, and more. Highlights: * Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies from University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown * Beauty writer and editor for more than 15 years * Appearances made as a beauty expert for television segments, including the Today Show and New York Live * Live New York Fashion Week coverage on behalf of Allure Magazine

First and foremost, aging is a natural process that we, as humans, are lucky to experience. So if you love the skin on your neck, please scroll on. If it bothers you, I wrote this to help. At 40 years old (young), I feel pretty good in my skin, but my neck has always been a trouble spot. I have horizontal and vertical lines and some laxity (I blame the combo of tech neck and post-pregnancy weight changes). And I know I'm not alone (my Mom and Gram felt the same!). Because the skin on the neck is thinner and more sensitive than on the face, it's one of the first spots to show the wrinkles, sagging, and hyperpigmentation that come with age. Combine that with the fact that dermatologists agree that the neck is one of the hardest spots to treat, and you've got yourself a potential beauty bummer.

But it's not all doom and gloom. Of course there are effective neck creams, and on the other side of the spectrum, there are beneficial yet invasive in-office procedures -- like lasers and surgical lifts -- that can help. But if you are looking for something a little more middle-of-the-road to help smooth and lift your neck, my trusted derm, Dr. Dendy Engelman, suggests neck Botox. Once used off-label, the FDA recently approved Botox Cosmetic to treat moderate to severe vertical bands -- and, well, I just had to try it.

Here's what you should know before making an appointment with your dermatologist. And if you need help finding a trusted, board-certified derm, follow these tips.

Neck botox is an injection of a neuromodulator into the neck to temporarily paralyze the neck muscles, resulting in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, says Dr. Engelman. "If you put tiny little droplets of Botox along the platysmal bands -- the most superficial muscle in the body -- it actually relaxes that muscle straight down and helps to give a more defined appearance of the jawline and helps to keep your little 'eek' muscles at bay," explains Dr. Engelman.

While you hear a lot of buzz about "tech neck" -- horizontal lines on the neck due to the repetitive motion of looking down at electronic devices, which can be treated using filler and lasers -- vertical neck lines are a thing too. Botox Cosmetic works to soften those vertical lines also known as platysmal bands. These bands connect the neck and jaw and are formed by the platysmal muscle, which is a thin muscle that covers the neck and extends over the lower face. When this muscle is contracted (like when you say "eek"), it can cause the appearance of bands on the neck, which can also impact jawline definition.

Dr. Engelman says this is for anyone who has mild to moderate signs of aging on their neck, including neck bands that become more prominent while eating or talking, fine lines, and a less defined jawline. If you're pregnant or nursing, you want to skip this one.

Just like any injectable treatment, you should avoid blood-thinning medications or supplements (think: aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain supplements like fish oil or vitamin E). These medications can increase the risk of bruising and bleeding at the injection site.

Once you're in the office, it's pretty quick and easy. Reminder: this is not the day to wear a turtleneck or hoodie -- you want the physician to have easy access to the neck area. If you're nervous, you can ask your derm about using numbing cream, ice, or a stress ball, but I just went for it, and it felt like a slight prick/pinch (easy, breezy). She asked me to make an "eek" face, then to relax before injecting. After the treatment, my derm wiped away the tiny blood droplets, and I was on my way to the office -- there's literally no downtime.

"When we inject the vertical bands connecting the neck and jaw and along the jawline with Botox, it works beneath the surface and temporarily reduces the underlying muscle activity, which temporarily improves the appearance of the bands connecting the neck and jaw," she says.

While you can return to business as usual, there are a few things to keep in mind, Dr. Engelman says. Avoid working out for the next day or so and lying down for the next few hours, so no napping or massages.

While the results aren't instant, they're fast -- my neck looked better and felt tighter after just two days. After two weeks, I saw a smoother, more lifted neck and a more defined jawline. I've been a beauty editor for 18 years and have tried a ton of products and treatments. I was genuinely blown away by how well this worked. It didn't hurt, it was fast, there was zero downtime, and within a week, my neck looked smoother and tighter, while my jawline looked more snatched (my favorite part). The cost varies from around $300-$900, but when you think about the cost of skincare, it might be worth it to you -- the results last about three to four months. When it comes to all of the in-office beauty treatments I've tried, the juice is definitely worth the squeeze with this one.