What Does Turkey Neck Look Like? Causes, Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Turkey neck is a common sign of aging that no one can completely avoid. But there are many effective ways to improve its appearance. Here is a detailed guide on what turkey neck is what causes it, what it looks like, and both surgical and nonsurgical options to treat it.

What is Turkey Neck?

The term “turkey neck” refers to loose, sagging, or wrinkled skin under the chin and on the neck. It resembles the wrinkled wattle of a turkey.

Turkey neck results from thinning of the skin, loss of elasticity, excess fat, and weakening of the neck muscles. It often begins with just a bit of looseness under the chin. But over time, this can progress to more significant sagging, vertical bands, and wrinkles on the neck.

While turkey neck is usually associated with aging, the condition can sometimes occur in younger adults due to genetics, weight fluctuations, or health conditions Most people start to notice turkey neck in their 40s and 50s

What Causes Turkey Neck?

There are several factors that contribute to turkey neck:

• Aging – As we get older, skin loses collagen, elastin and fat, causing it to sag. Neck skin is especially thin and delicate, so shows aging early.

• Genetics – Inherited traits like thin skin, poor muscle tone, or a receding chin can predispose someone to turkey neck.

• Weight changes – Weight gain and loss can leave behind excess, loose neck skin.

• Sun damage – Years of sun exposure degrade collagen in neck skin.

• Smoking – Chemicals in smoke damage collagen.

• Gravity – Constant stretching of neck skin from movement contributes over time.

• Loss of muscle tone – Weakening of the platysma neck muscles allows skin to sag.

• Medical conditions – Issues like diabetes or medications like steroids may cause fat deposits.

What Does Turkey Neck Look Like?

Some common signs of turkey neck include:

• Loose, sagging skin under the chin and on the neck
• Loss of definition along the jawline and neck
• Excess fat under the chin causing a double chin
• Vertically oriented wrinkles or bands between the chin and collarbones
• Thin, crinkly, crepey texture to the neck skin
• A pocket or wattle of skin drooping under the chin

The degree of wrinkling, sagging, versus fat excess varies individually based on factors like age, genetics, and sun damage.

Symptoms Associated with Turkey Neck

The main symptom of turkey neck is simply the aged appearance of the neck. Early on, it may only be noticeable when looking in a mirror or at your profile in photos.

In some cases, additional symptoms potentially related to turkey neck may occur:

• Tightness or soreness in the neck muscles
• Difficulty swallowing
• Changes in the voice or hoarseness

However, turkey neck itself does not directly cause these issues. Any accompanying symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor to identify any underlying condition requiring treatment.

Nonsurgical Options to Improve Turkey Neck

For mild to moderate turkey neck, there are many nonsurgical treatment options to try first:

• Skin care – Moisturizers, retinoids, and sunscreen can improve neck skin.

• Injections – Botox, Dysport, or Kybella help relax or remove fat.

• Energy devices – Ultherapy, CoolSculpting, lasers, radiofrequency, and microneedling tighten skin by stimulating collagen.

• Skin treatments – Chemical peels and microneedling resurfacing improve neck skin texture.

• Exercises – Targeted neck exercises may provide mild tightening.

• Lifestyle changes – Quitting smoking, sun protection, proper sleep position, weight control, and improving posture can help prevent progression of turkey neck.

While results from nonsurgical treatments are more subtle, they involve little to no downtime. It often requires multiple sessions to achieve desired improvements.

Surgical Procedures for Turkey Neck

If conservative treatments do not adequately improve the appearance of moderate to severe turkey neck, plastic surgery may be required. Surgical options include:

• Neck lift – Excess skin is removed and muscles tightened through incisions under the chin.

• Lower facelift – Sagging cheeks and jowls are addressed, reducing some upper neck wrinkles.

• Neck liposuction – Removing fat can better define the contour of the neck.

• Chin implant – Augmenting a small chin can fill out loose neck skin in some cases.

A board certified plastic surgeon will determine the most effective surgical approach based on your anatomy, degree of skin laxity, and treatment goals. Often a combination of procedures, like a neck lift and chin implant, provide optimal rejuvenation.

How to Prevent Turkey Neck

While turkey neck cannot be avoided completely, the following habits can help slow its progression:

• Daily sunscreen use
• Quitting smoking
• Performing neck exercises
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Sleeping on your back to avoid sleep lines
• Practicing good posture
• Using at-home microcurrent devices for mild early signs

Once moderate or severe turkey neck develops, professional treatment is needed for significant improvement.

When to See a Doctor

If basic skin care is not helping early signs of turkey neck, make an appointment with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. They can recommend medical treatments tailored to your concerns.

Also see your doctor if you experience swallowing difficulties, voice changes, or neck pain along with your turkey neck. Though not directly related, these symptoms should be evaluated to identify any underlying condition needing treatment.

Turkey neck is an inevitable result of aging, but today there are more options than ever to improve its appearance – from nonsurgical skin tightening to plastic surgery procedures. Consulting a qualified physician can help determine the best options to achieve a smoother, more youthful-looking neck. Addressing turkey neck can help restore confidence and a more refreshed appearance.