Chicken neck, also known as turkey neck, is a common skin condition characterized by loose, wrinkled skin under the chin and neck As we age, skin elasticity decreases and gravity causes the skin to sag, leading to the dreaded chicken neck.
While genetics and aging play a role, there are many ways to prevent, improve, or get rid of chicken neck for good This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know, from understanding causes and risk factors to exploring both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options
What Causes Chicken Neck?
Chicken neck can develop due to several factors:
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Aging: The natural aging process causes collagen and elastin levels to decline, leading to loss of skin elasticity over time. This allows gravity to pull the skin downwards.
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Genetics: Some people are just prone to thinner skin or accelerated collagen breakdown, making chicken neck more likely.
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Weight fluctuations: Repeated cycles of weight gain and loss can overstretch the skin, resulting in sagging.
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Poor posture: Consistently looking down at phones or slouching creates tension on the neck and can weaken muscles.
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Sun exposure: UV radiation breaks down collagen and elastin fibers that keep skin firm.
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Smoking: Cigarette smoke starves the skin of oxygen and nutrients, causing premature aging.
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Dehydration: Inadequate water intake leads to dry, inelastic skin.
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Medications: Steroids, HIV medications, and certain antidepressants may alter fat distribution.
Lifestyle Changes and Home Remedies
Before exploring intensive treatments, simple lifestyle measures can help prevent or reduce chicken neck:
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Maintain good posture and limit looking down at phones and tablets.
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Stay well hydrated – drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.
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Follow a healthy diet rich in antioxidants and nutrients that support skin health.
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Wear broad spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen on your neck daily.
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Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
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Sleep on your back or side to avoid sleep lines and wrinkles.
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Use moisturizers and neck creams with retinoids, peptides, hyaluronic acid.
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Do facial exercises like chin tucks and neck stretches to tone muscles.
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Use gua sha or facial massage tools to improve circulation and drainage.
Medical and Cosmetic Treatments
If lifestyle measures aren’t enough, a variety of cosmetic treatments can provide moderate improvements in chicken neck:
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Botox: Relaxes neck bands and cords by paralyzing the platysma muscles. Results last 3-4 months.
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Ultherapy: Focused ultrasound tightens and lifts lax neck skin. Multiple sessions usually needed.
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Laser skin resurfacing: Removes outer layers of skin to improve texture, tone, and elasticity.
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Chemical peels: Exfoliate and peel away damaged skin to reveal newer, healthier skin underneath.
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Microdermabrasion: Gently sands away dead skin cells to refine skin texture and reduce wrinkles.
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Dermal fillers: Add volume under wrinkles and folds to smooth their appearance. Effect lasts 6-12 months.
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Kybella injections: Dissolve fat under the chin to improve neck contouring. Multiple treatments required.
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CoolSculpting: Freezes and destroys fat cells without surgery or downtime.
Surgical Procedures for Chicken Neck
For substantial improvements in severe cases of chicken neck, plastic surgery procedures can dramatically tighten loose neck skin and remove excess fat.
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Neck lift (platysmaplasty): Incisions made under the chin to remove excess skin, tighten muscles, and redrape skin on the neck.
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Liposuction: Suctions out excess fat deposits under the chin and neckline for better definition.
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Chin implant: Augments the chin to improve balance and the appearance of neck sagging.
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Buccal lipectomy: Removes fat pads along jawline to contour the lower face.
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Facelift: Tightens facial skin while lifting and removing excess neck skin for a combined rejuvenation.
Finding the Right Treatment Approach
The optimal treatment plan depends on your specific case, goals, and preferences. Consulting an experienced plastic surgeon or dermatologist is key to developing an effective strategy.
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Have a thorough evaluation to assess skin laxity and determine best options.
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Clearly communicate your expectations and desired outcome.
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Understand risks and limitations of each treatment.
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Be prepared for multiple sessions of non-surgical treatments.
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Surgical options provide most dramatic improvements but require downtime for recovery.
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Maintaining a healthy lifestyle supports optimal, long-lasting results.
With the right guidance and treatment plan, it is possible to dramatically improve or even get rid of chicken neck for a more youthful, contoured profile.
Facelifts and neck lifts
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. “Feather lift, short scar, J lift — essentially, they’re all one form of facelift/neck lift or another,” Dr. Newman says.
While surgery has more risks and recovery than nonsurgical treatments, you get a bigger bang for your buck, he adds. “Facelifts and neck lifts are the gold standard. By surgically removing the extra skin and fat (and tightening the muscles, when needed) you get instant results and a definitive fix.”
How to get rid of turkey neck
Choosing an effective turkey neck treatment depends on what’s causing it and your goals. Fortunately, there’s a smorgasbord of treatment options available. Dr. Newman breaks them down.
Dr. Newman says some people note a change in the appearance of their neck when they lose weight — but not always. It depends on the character and quality of your skin.
“If you’re young with healthy skin, your skin may retract on its own after weight loss,” he says. “But if you’re older or you smoke and your skin is wrinkled and has lost a lot of elasticity, you may not see much improvement, even after weight loss.”
Fastest Way to Rid Your DOUBLE CHIN (Turkey Neck)
FAQ
Is there a way to get rid of chicken neck?
… non-surgical treatments like Botox, laser skin tightening, and facial enhancement procedures to surgical procedures such as liposuction, neck lifts and …May 12, 2025
How do I get rid of the chicken neck?
An anti-aging skin care routine, including neck creams and lotions can help minimize collagen loss and tighten your skin. Laser skin resurfacing uses heat to rejuvenate your skin. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten your skin. Microneedling uses tiny needles to stimulate your skin to repair itself.
Why do you get a chicken neck?
As we age, the muscles in the neck weaken and the skin surrounding it (and all over the body) loses its elasticity and firmness. While turkey neck is a completely normal, very common part of ageing, and nothing to worry about, there are ways to prevent it from forming and ways to minimise its appearance.
How do you fix chicken skin on your neck?
- Use warm water and limit bath time. Hot water and long showers or baths remove oils from the skin. …
- Be gentle to the skin. Avoid harsh, drying soaps. …
- Try medicated creams. …
- Moisturize. …
- Use a humidifier. …
- Avoid friction from tight clothes.