Turkey neck is an unwelcome side effect of aging that many people want to get rid of. If you notice loose, wrinkly skin under your chin and jawline that resembles a turkey’s wattle, you may have this condition. Keep reading to learn what causes turkey neck, what it looks like, and both surgical and nonsurgical ways to improve its appearance.
What Causes Turkey Neck?
Turkey neck happens when the platysma muscles on the front of the neck weaken and the skin loses elasticity This allows gravity to pull the skin downward, causing it to become loose and droopy.
Several factors contribute to turkey neck:
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Aging – As we get older, collagen and elastin production decrease, reducing skin elasticity. This natural loss of firmness over time allows sagging.
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Sun exposure – UV rays from the sun damage skin and degrade collagen and elastin. This speeds up wrinkling and laxity.
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Genetics – Your bone structure and how prone you are to loose neck skin is inherited. If your parents have turkey neck, your risk is higher.
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Weight fluctuations – Gaining and losing weight can stretch the skin Over time, it loses the ability to retract
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Smoking – Chemicals in cigarettes prematurely age skin. Smokers tend to develop wrinkles and looseness earlier.
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Horizontal sleeping position – Sleeping on your side or stomach encourages skin to droop forward.
What Does Turkey Neck Look Like?
The name says it all – turkey neck resembles the wrinkled, floppy wattle found on a turkey. Here are the common signs and symptoms:
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Loose, sagging skin under the chin, along the jawline and on the neck. This creates a droopy, hanging appearance.
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Vertical creases and bands on the neck from lax platysma muscles.
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Thin, crinkly skin with prominent veins. The skin has a crepe-paper texture from loss of collagen
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Excess fatty deposits under the chin, causing a double chin.
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Jowls or loose sagging skin on the lower cheeks and jaw.
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The “angle of the jaw” from the earlobe to under the chin becomes less defined.
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Horizontal wrinkles and furrows across the neck skin.
Nonsurgical Fixes for Turkey Neck
There are many ways to improve turkey neck without surgery. However, results tend to be more subtle with nonsurgical treatments. options include:
Skin Care Products
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Neck creams with peptides – Peptides signal your skin to produce more collagen. Look for products with Matrixyl 3000 or argireline.
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Retinoids – Retinol or prescription tretinoin help collagen formation and cell turnover.
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Alpha hydroxy acids – Glycolic and lactic acids exfoliate dead cells and may stimulate collagen.
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Antioxidants – Ingredients like vitamin C and niacinamide protect skin from further damage.
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Sunscreen – Broad spectrum SPF 30 (or higher) sunscreen prevents additional sun damage.
In-Office Procedures
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Ultherapy – Focused ultrasound tightens and lifts the skin. Multiple treatments are needed.
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Lasers – Laser skin tightening heats the dermis to stimulate collagen. Results last about 2 years.
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Radiofrequency – RF energy is applied to induce new collagen growth. Often combined with microneedling.
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Neurotoxins – Botox or Dysport injections can temporarily relax neck cords and bands. Results last 3-4 months.
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Kybella injections – Kybella dissolves fat under the chin to reduce a double chin. Several treatments may be needed.
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Microneedling – Small needles puncture the skin to stimulate healing and new collagen. Minimal downtime.
At-Home Treatments
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LED light therapy – Red and near-infrared wavelengths may build collagen and elastin.
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Neck exercises – Isometric exercises strengthen the platysma muscles. Yoga poses like shoulder stand also help.
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Guasha or massage – Manual techniques improve circulation and may tone the skin.
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Ice massage – Applying ice to tighten the skin may have mild benefits over time.
Surgical Procedures for Turkey Neck
For moderate to severe turkey neck, plastic surgery can provide dramatic improvements by removing excess skin and tightening underlying tissue. Options include:
Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty)
This targets loose neck skin by:
- Removing excess skin
- Tightening neck muscles
- Liposuction to remove fat deposits
Incisions are made under the chin and behind the ears. General anesthesia is used, with 1-2 weeks recovery time. Results last 7-10 years.
Facelift (Rhytidectomy)
During a facelift, excess skin is removed and facial tissues tightened. This improves jowls and neck laxity by:
- Lifting the cheeks
- Smoothing skin along the jawline
- Tightening neck muscles
Incisions are made above the hairline and behind the ears. Like a neck lift, it requires general anesthesia and 1-2 weeks recovery. Long-lasting improvements up to 10 years.
Combination Procedures
- Face and neck lift – Combines a facelift with a neck lift for a complete rejuvenation.
- Mini lift – A modified facelift with shorter incisions and less downtime. Subtle improvements.
- Fat transfer – Liposuctioned fat injected to recontour the neck.
- Chin implant – Augments a small chin to balance facial proportions.
Treatments for turkey neck
While exercising the neck muscles can make them firmer, this wonât change the condition of the skin. You can get rid of turkey neck in a number of ways that will also make your neck look better.
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.
“Your options will depend on a number of things, such as your age, skin type, and how bad the condition is,” says Salvatore Pacella, MD, division head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. A plastic surgeon who is board-certified and specializes in facial procedures can help you figure out which procedures will work best for you. 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.
Facelifts are surgeries that tighten and lift weak muscles in the face and neck and get rid of extra skin to make the jowls and neck look smoother and more toned.
So that the scars don’t show, the doctor will cut behind each ear. If necessary, he or she may also cut 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 under general anesthesia. The whole process takes about an hour to two hours. Most people have some bruises and swelling for the first week or so. After two weeks, they can go back to work and other activities. Different types of the technique pull the face and neck in different ways to make the result look very natural. 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. Traditional facelifts may only last seven to ten years, but this type of surgery can make you look better for fifteen to twenty years. â.
Dr. Pacella also specializes in the mini facelift, a less invasive procedure for people who want more subtle improvements.
Fat transfer can be used to get rid of extra skin or skin that has become loose over time because of the natural loss of facial fat. 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.
“Fat transfer is also often used with facial rejuvenation procedures like neck lifts and deep plane lifts to add volume and bring back the natural, youthful shape of your neck that you’ve lost over time,” says Dr. Pacella.
Cosmetic treatments can tighten sagging neck skin
Loose, wrinkled, or sagging skin on the neck may look good on a turkey, but many people don’t want it as they get older. 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 can’t stop getting older, but staying out of the sun and keeping your face and neck moist can help. Also, giving up smoking can help. Turkey neck often runs in families. If a parent has it, you may have a higher chance of getting it too.
Simple Procedure Treats “Turkey Neck” Without Surgery
FAQ
How do you know if you have a turkey neck?
Will losing weight get rid of turkey neck?
At what age does turkey neck start?
What is the best non-surgical neck tightening procedure?
Why does my neck look like a Turkey?
Because of the skin’s looseness, it’s often compared to the look of a turkey. For the most part, this condition happens when your neck skin loses its elasticity and collagen. This results in the sagging and folding excess skin. It’s a very common issue that many men and women face as they go through the natural aging process.
What is a wry neck?
The term “wry neck” is a non-medical description of a condition called torticollis. Torticollis is a twisting of the neck that leaves the head turned or tilted to one side, often with an inability to move the head. The cause is unknown and can be present at birth, presumably related to the position of the fetus in the womb that affects the neck muscles. Other potential causes include sleeping in an unusual position, viral infection, or injury. Neck spasm or scarring of the skin or muscles around the neck (as may occur with burn injuries) may lead to torticollis.
Does aging skin look like turkey neck?
However, the appearance of aging skin—like turkey neck—can be treated with a number of aesthetic procedures. This is a noninvasive procedure that involves injecting neurotoxins into sagging neck skin.
What is turkey neck meat?
Unlike those larger muscle groups, turkey neck meat consists of numerous small muscles — once cooked, it transforms into tender, juicy shreds that can be lifted from the bones, making it a versatile addition to a wide range of recipes.
Are turkey necks good?
Turkey necks are an often overlooked and underrated gem in the world of poultry. While they might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of turkey, necks are a treasure trove of flavor. Packed with succulent meat and rich in collagen, they are perfect for making savory stocks, broths, and soups.
Is Turkey Neck a medical term?
“Turkey neck” may not be an official medical term, but people know it when they see it. “Patients are dissatisfied with the appearance of their profile or the front view of their face because of excess skin, soft tissue and lax neck muscles,” says Dr. Newman.