A recent study found that 59% of people are uncomfortable in their skin. One reason is aging skin, including problems like a turkey neck.
Turkey neck is characterized as loose skin around your neck. It happens due to weaker muscles and reduced collagen in the skin due to age.
Turkey neck – that dreaded saggy, wrinkly skin under the chin – is an annoying sign of aging that many wish they could erase. When the first hints of a wattling neck appear, a common question arises: will losing weight help get rid of turkey neck?
As with most things in life the answer is not clear cut. Weight loss can sometimes minimize a turkey neck, but other factors are also at play. This article will examine the connection between weight and turkey necks when losing pounds may help, and when other solutions should be considered.
What Causes Excess Neck Skin and Fat?
Before exploring if shedding pounds impacts turkey neck it helps to understand what causes it in the first place. The following factors contribute to loose, sagging neck skin
- Natural aging – skin loses collagen and elasticity over time
- Genetics – some people inherit tendencies for loose neck skin
- Sun damage – UV rays degrade collagen in skin
- Smoking – chemicals in smoke break down collagen
- Poor diet – lack of nutrients leads to less healthy skin
In some cases, excess fat stored under the chin and neck can also cause or worsen a turkey neck. Fat accumulation results from:
- Weight gain – extra pounds often deposit around the neck
- Lifestyle habits – poor diet, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption
- Medications – some drugs increase localized fat deposits
Clearly weight and fat play a role, but age-related skin changes are also pivotal in developing the wrinkled turkey neck look.
When Weight Loss Can Minimize Turkey Neck
Now let’s explore the circumstances when shedding pounds may help minimize turkey neck:
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If excess weight is the main cause – losing fat reduces the bulge under the chin. But skin may still sag.
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In youth – young skin still has collagen and can bounce back when fat is lost. Drooping is minimized.
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Mild turkey neck – modest fat loss can reduce a slightly saggy neck in young and middle-aged folks.
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Prevention – maintaining ideal weight prevents fat accumulation and delays neck skin changes.
When Weight Loss Won’t Fix Turkey Neck
Unfortunately, losing weight does not always equate to losing a turkey neck. In these cases, fat loss provides little improvement:
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** Turkey neck mainly due to aging** – when collagen loss is the culprit, eliminating fat does little for loose neck skin.
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Severe turkey neck – substantial sagging and wrinkling requires more than weight loss to remediate.
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Older individuals – skin has lost too much elasticity to tighten, even when fat drops.
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Obese individuals – massive weight loss leaves excess, inelastic skin that hangs.
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Genetic tendency – some inherit tendencies for loose neck skin impervious to weight loss.
The point is, when turkey neck arises from age-related skin changes rather than just excess fat, weight loss alone will not sufficiently tighten and smooth the neck area.
Other Solutions Beyond Weight Loss
Once turkey neck has set in, especially in older adults, solutions beyond fat loss are usually needed to reclaim a smooth, tight neck. Options include:
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Skin creams – topical retinoids and peptides can mildly improve skin tone.
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Injections – neuromodulators like Botox or fillers like Kybella help contour the neck.
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Devices – ultrasound, radiofrequency and laser devices rejuvenate skin.
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Surgery – neck lifts and lower facelifts remove excess skin and tighten underlying structures.
A nuanced, personalized approach works best. Start with nonsurgical options, then if needed, consider surgical neck lifts for optimal improvement.
Takeaway – Assess Your Situation
So does losing weight diminish a turkey neck? Sometimes yes, if excess fat is the main culprit. But often no, if aging skin or genetic tendencies are at play.
Assess your individual situation. If weight gain is primarily to blame, then yes, shedding excess pounds can help minimize neck sagging and wrinkles. But if age-related skin changes or genetics are contributing, additional solutions will likely be needed to fully refresh that turkey neck.
Don’t resign yourself to an aging turkey neck without exploring all options. With the right combination approach, most men and women can reclaim a smooth, youthful neckline. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist to discuss the best treatments to address your specific needs.
What Are the Pros of Turkey Neck Surgery?
Getting turkey neck surgery might seem like a big decision. However, there are some great reasons to have this procedure done. You won’t believe how much more confident you feel after this brief and minor surgery.
Because medical professionals surround you, you can easily ask them any questions and concerns you may have before surgery. If you’re feeling nervous about the procedure, they can help put your mind at ease by offering guidance and explaining exactly what will happen.
The recovery period following surgery is usually concise. Generally, you can return to your daily routine and regular life after just one or two weeks.
For one week after your surgery, you’ll wear a neck sling. This promotes healing and blood flow and ensures the surgery results are as effective as possible.
Surgery is the right choice for anyone seeking long-lasting cosmetic results. Your neck will remain firm and youthful for up to 15 years following treatment. After this, you can return for more surgery or advice.
Following your short recovery time, you’ll notice an immediate improvement in the appearance of your neck. Your skin will look firmer and tightened. Any sagging should be significantly improved.
Neck Skin Tightening Machines
New technology has helped in the design of neck skin-tightening machines. These machines work by stimulating heat to produce more collagen, which can help firm the skin and tighten the appearance of a sagging neck.
However, these machines tend to be very expensive. You also won’t see the instant results that surgery can give you. They have to be used frequently to see results, which are often not especially dramatic.
Laser therapy also works by using heat to promote collagen production. It can help to remove sagging by lifting and tightening the skin in this area.
A laser is also an expensive option. You may also need several sessions before you see the results. These sessions could be slightly painful or uncomfortable.
Exercises targeting the skin and muscles around your neck could help reduce turkey neck. Think of it like exercising any muscle; the more you do it, the stronger and healthier it looks and feels.
While these exercises may tighten your neck skin, they are best used as a preventative measure before a turkey neck develops. Start them as soon as you can to keep the muscles in your neck tight.
Fastest Way to Rid Your DOUBLE CHIN (Turkey Neck)
FAQ
Will turkey neck go away with weight loss?
- Rapid weight loss: Can make turkey neck worse because skin doesn’t have time to retract
- Significant weight loss: Can increase the appearance of turkey neck, especially if you lose 100 lbs or more
- Skin quality: If you’re older or have wrinkled skin, you might not see much improvement
Can you really tighten turkey neck?
… for you, by incorporating targeted exercises, a good skincare routine, and healthy lifestyle choices, you can effectively tighten and tone your neck naturallySep 10, 2024
Will neck lines go away if I lose weight?
Will neck wrinkles go away with weight loss? Controlling your weight can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles but won’t get rid of neck lines completely. Instead, non-invasive treatments or surgical treatments are the best options to eliminate neck wrinkles.
Can I reverse my turkey neck?
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.
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 are the health benefits of ground turkey?
Ground turkey has multiple benefits. It is a good source of minerals, and B vitamins, rich in proteins, low in fat and it is lower in calories than common turkey.
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.
How long does it take to get rid of a 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. It’ll also depend on whether you’ve had a lot of weight loss and not enough muscle in your body.
Do turkey neck exercises work?
Here are the 5 best turkey neck exercises that work… Open your mouth and make an “ahh” sound. Fold your lower lips over your teeth. Move your chin up by tilting your head slightly backward and slowly slide out your lower jaw. Roll the tip of your tongue up to the roof of your mouth.
What surgeries treat turkey necks?
Surgeries that treat turkey necks include facelifts (rhytidectomy) and neck lifts (platysmaplasty). During these procedures, plastic surgeons remove excess face or neck skin and fat while tightening the skin, muscle and tissue left behind. Facelifts and neck lifts go by many aliases, depending on who’s doing them and how.