Turkey neck, the saggy skin under the chin and jawline that resembles a turkey’s wattle, is a common sign of aging. While genetics and aging are the main causes, other factors like weight gain, smoking, and sun damage can also lead to turkey neck Luckily, there are many ways to improve the appearance of turkey neck without going under the knife
What Causes Turkey Neck?
Turkey neck occurs as we get older and the skin loses collagen leading to loose, sagging skin. Other causes include
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Genetics – some people are just prone to carrying extra skin and fat in the neck area
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Weight gain/fluctuations – fat accumulation under the chin
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Poor posture – looking down at phones strains the neck muscles
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Smoking and sun exposure – damages skin elasticity over time
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Medications like steroids – can lead to fat redistribution
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Muscle loss – weaker platysma muscles allow skin to sag
Effective Treatments for Turkey Neck
If turkey neck is making you dread looking in the mirror or taking photos from certain angles, there are solutions. Here are 10 ways to reduce, improve, or get rid of turkey neck for good:
1. Improve Your Posture
Good posture places less strain on your neck muscles and can prevent extra skin from sagging. Stand up straight with shoulders back and avoid slouching over phones and laptops.
2. Lose Weight
For some people, losing excess weight can lead to improvements in neck skin tightness. However, results vary based on age and skin elasticity.
3. Perform Neck Exercises
Targeted neck exercises can strengthen the platysma muscles that have weakened over time. Yoga poses like shoulder rolls and neck stretches are easy to incorporate into your routine.
4. Use Topical Creams
Look for creams containing ingredients like retinol, peptides, and antioxidants that may improve collagen production and skin elasticity over time with regular use.
5. Try Microneedling
Microneedling creates tiny wounds in the skin to stimulate collagen and elastin. Results are gradual over 3-6 sessions done every 4-6 weeks. Maintenance treatments may be needed.
6. Get Laser Resurfacing
Laser skin resurfacing removes damaged outer layers and promotes collagen growth. It requires several treatments but can significantly improve skin tone and texture.
7. Use Ultherapy
This non-invasive ultrasound treatment heats the skin to stimulate collagen. It can lift and tighten loose neck skin after 2-3 sessions. Results last about 2 years.
8. Try Skin-Tightening Devices
Radiofrequency and ultrasound devices heat the dermis to promote new collagen. Multiple sessions are needed but it’s a non-surgical approach.
9. Get Kybella Injections
Kybella is made of deoxycholic acid that permanently destroys fat cells when injected into the neck area. Several treatments spaced 1 month apart are required.
10. Get a Neck Lift
For dramatic improvements, a neck lift surgically removes excess fat and skin while tightening underlying muscles and tendons. Recovery takes 2-3 weeks but results are long-lasting.
Turkey neck can be frustrating but you have options ranging from at-home remedies to cosmetic procedures. For minimal turkey neck, conservative treatments like neck exercises, topicals, and microneedling may suffice. Moderate improvement may require more intensive treatments like laser resurfacing or Kybella injections. In severe cases, a surgical neck lift is the gold standard for removing excess fat and skin and significantly improving definition. Talk to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to develop a turkey neck treatment plan suited to your needs and goals. With consistent effort, you can spot-reduce turkey neck without going under the knife.
Cosmetic treatments can tighten sagging neck skin
It looks fine on a turkey, but loose, wrinkled or sagging skin on the neck is an undesired side effect of aging for many people.Â
âTurkey neckâ happens when the neck muscles begin to weaken and the skin loses elasticity. The loose skin can become droopy and wrinkled, drawing unflattering comparisons to the neck of a turkey.
Age and sun exposure are the main culprits of sagging skin. You canât control aging, but protecting skin from the sun and keeping the face and neck hydrated can help, along with avoiding smoking. Turkey neck often runs in families. If a parent has it, you may have a higher chance of getting it too.
Treatments for turkey neck
While exercising the neck muscles can make them firmer, this wonât change the condition of the skin. If you want to get rid of turkey neck, there are several treatments that can help improve how your neck looks.
Some treatments are non-invasive, which means they do not require surgery. Others use minimally invasive surgical techniques that use small incisions, or they involve traditional surgery.
âThe right options for you depend on several factors, including your age, skin type and the severity of the condition,â says Salvatore Pacella, MD, division head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. âA board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial procedures can help you determine which treatments may give you the best results.â
If you have vertical band-like lines on your neck, Botox or Dysport (neuromodulator) injections can help. These treatments temporarily reduce muscle activity in the neck and make the skin look more relaxed. Treatment takes just a few minutes and requires no recovery time; results generally last three to four months.
Various types of lasers can be used to heat and tighten the skin on the neck without surgery.
The results of laser treatment can range from mild to moderate, depending on the type used. Usually, multiple sessions are needed to get the desired outcome. Recovery time is often minimal, and the results can last for a few years.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves tightening and lifting weak facial and neck muscles along with removing excess loose skin to create a smoother, more toned jowl and neck.
The surgeon will make an incision behind each ear so that the scars are hidden; if needed, another incision may be made below the chin. After the surgery, patients wear an elastic compression bandage around the neck and head to reduce swelling.
A facelift and neck lift are often done together as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia and usually takes one to two hours. Most patients have some bruising and swelling for the first week or so and return to work and other activities after two weeks. There are variations of the technique which pull the face and neck in different directions to achieve a very natural result.Â
âIn my practice, I perform an advanced technique known as the deep plane facelift,â Dr. Pacella notes. âThis is a great modification of a traditional facelift which supports the deep ligaments of the face. The cosmetic improvement tends to last 15 to 20 years compared to traditional facelift techniques that may last only seven to 10 years.â
Dr. Pacella also specializes in the mini facelift, a less invasive procedure for people who want more subtle improvements.
Excess skin or loosening of the skin caused by the natural loss of facial fat volume over time can be corrected with fat transfer. This process involves harvesting fat from one part of the body, similar to liposuction. The fat is treated gently to purify its natural stem cells. These cells are then precisely injected into areas that need more volume or âplumping.â Fat transfer may cause some swelling for about two weeks after the procedure.
âFat transfer is also commonly used together with facial rejuvenation procedures such as neck lifts and deep plane lifts to add volume and restore the natural and youthful contour of your neck that has been lost over time,â says Dr. Pacella.
Turkey Neck : Best Tightening Treatments
FAQ
How do you get rid of a turkey neck fast?
- Upward facing dog pose: Lie on the floor and lift yourself using your forearms
- Fish face: Sit up and look up while pointing your chin up
- Chewing gum: Move your mouth as if you are chewing gum
- Tongue pressure: Press your tongue on the roof of your mouth and flex your neck muscles
- Lip pursing: Purse your lips and extend your chin
- Head tilt: Tilt your head down as if you are trying to touch your chin to your chest
What is the main cause of turkey neck?
… ageing process, there are certain factors that can cause the emergence of loose skin to increase such as alcohol intake, smoking, stress, and poor nutritionFeb 21, 2024
What is the best non surgical treatment for turkey neck?
Ultherapy for Neck: Effective Non-invasive Treatment for “Turkey Neck” Ultherapy for neck is a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that lifts and tightens loose skin on the neck. It is the ideal alternative to a surgical neck lift, particularly for patients who do not wish to go under the knife, so to speak.
How can I tighten the skin on my neck?
- Neck exercises like chewing, kissing, and neck lifts can help tighten neck skin
- Face yoga can also help tighten neck skin
What can I do if I have a turkey neck?
Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck. “The muscles become tight and enlarged,” Dr. Newman explains.
What treatment is available for wry neck?
Wry neck or torticollis, is a painfully twisted and tilted neck. Treatments for wry neck include: applying heat massage physical therapy or chiropractic care traction stretching exercises neck braces Your doctor may recommend surgery, such as: fusing abnormal vertebrae lengthening neck muscles cutting nerves or muscles using deep brain stimulation to interrupt nerve signals (used only in the most severe cases of cervical dystonia) Medications can be helpful. They can include: muscle relaxants medications used to treat the tremors of Parkinson’s disease botulinum toxin injections repeated every few months pain medications
Can a good skincare routine treat Turkey Neck?
A good skincare routine may be one of the most effective ways to treat a number of skin concerns, including turkey neck. Including the right ingredients in your routine can help you reduce signs of aging that contribute to turkey neck, fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin.
Can you get rid of Turkey neck & loose neck skin?
Turkey neck and loose neck skin are common concerns as we age, but they don’t have to be permanent. By incorporating turkey neck exercises, targeted skincare, and healthy lifestyle habits, you can get rid of turkey neck and achieve a more youthful appearance.
Can neck exercises help a turkey neck?
Neck exercises are intended to stimulate blood circulation in the area surrounding muscles, which can help tighten signs of turkey neck. These exercises may also help improve the elasticity of the neck muscles and promote firmer skin. Here are a few that you can try: Place one hand on your forehead and push forward.
Is it possible to tighten a turkey neck?
Yes! Yes, it’s more than possible to tighten sagging neck skin that causes the dreaded turkey neck. But the time it takes to get rid of a turkey neck depends on age, skin elasticity, and body composition. Younger people will have stronger skin elasticity and are less likely to have UV damage, making it easier to tighten loose neck skin.