With the holiday season officially upon us, it’s very easy to let our guard down, abandon all self-control, indulge in feast after feast and even stop following that strict skin care regime that we’ve worked so hard to establish all year long. The skin on your neck, like the skin on your face, is very sensitive and susceptible to signs of aging. The most common sign of aging in this delicate area is the dreaded turkey neck. Now let’s be honest, we would all rather eat the turkey than be the turkey at our Thanksgiving table, right? This is why it’s important to take care of your skin and prevent turkey neck. If the skin on your neck has already started to show signs of drooping, then we will help you get rid of the turkey neck and regain the smooth, tight skin that you enjoyed when you were younger.
Turkey neck affects the underlying muscles and elasticity of the skin on your neck, which is why it ends up looking loose, dangling and shows wrinkly folds that look very much like a turkey’s wattle. First, let’s talk about what causes turkey neck – the most common factors that will influence aging in your neck area are:
Developing a “turkey neck” is a common concern as we age. The dangling skin under the chin and lack of jawline definition can make us look older than we feel. When turkey neck appears, a top question is: will weight loss help? Losing weight can potentially improve a turkey neck to some degree, but it’s not a cure-all solution. Here’s a deeper dive into the nuances of weight loss and turkey necks.
Why Weight Loss Alone Doesn’t Always Work
It’s understandable why people think shedding pounds will banish turkey neck. Excess body fat, including under the chin and around the neck, can contribute to the turkey neck look However, there are other factors at play as well As we age, skin loses collagen and elasticity. Gravity causes tissues to droop. Muscles weaken. For many, these age-related changes are bigger culprits than fat.
Slimming down when you are overweight may help reduce the appearance slightly. But if your skin quality is poor due to aging, don’t expect dramatic improvements in neck tightness. The loose, crepey skin will still be there. That’s why relying on weight loss alone to treat turkey neck often leads to disappointment.
The Impact of Weight Loss Depends on Your Age
Your age plays a role in how much slimming your neckline can be expected from losing weight.
“If you’re young with healthy skin your skin may retract on its own after weight loss” says Dr. Martin Newman, a plastic surgeon with the Cleveland Clinic. “But if you’re older or you smoke and your skin is wrinkled and has lost elasticity, you may not see much improvement, even after weight loss.”
So if you’re older and already have an established turkey neck, weight loss alone will likely have minimal effects. The elastin and collagen that once enabled your skin to snap back is depleted. Removing fat doesn’t restore the qualities of youthful skin.
Losing Weight is One Part of a Multifaceted Approach
Rather than relying solely on weight loss, the most effective strategy for treating turkey neck involves a combination of approaches. These include
- Employing skin care products with collagen-stimulating and tightening ingredients
- Incorporating turkey neck exercises to strengthen muscles
- Trying energy-based treatments like ultrasound or radiofrequency to tighten skin
- Using injectables such as Kybella to melt fat or Botox to relax neck cords
- Considering surgical options like neck lifts, liposuction or implants if other treatments don’t suffice
Diminishing stubborn submental fat through weight loss can complement these treatments. But removing fat isn’t a permanent fix for age-related skin and muscle changes contributing to turkey neck. A multifaceted plan is ideal.
Can you slim your neckline with weight loss alone? Unfortunately, dropping pounds doesn’t always equate to a more defined, youthful-looking neck. However, when combined with other anti-aging treatments that improve skin, muscle, and fat, weight loss can potentially enhance overall improvements. The key is having realistic expectations about what weight loss can and cannot correct when it comes to transforming turkey neck.
How to Fight Turkey Neck
One way to fight turkey neck is by taking preventative measures early on, including consistent exercise that targets the neck muscles to help build them back up. This will also improve blood circulation in the area, which can give it a tighter and more trim appearance. Here are a few exercises you can easily do at home:
- Chewing – Lift your head so your chin is pointing towards the ceiling and keep your lips closed as you make a chewing motion with your mouth.
- Kissing – Lift your head so your chin is pointing towards the ceiling and keep your lips closed, then pout as if you are going to give a kiss.
- Neck lifts – Lie on your bed with your head hanging over the edge and carefully and slowly life your head as high as you can. If you experience neck pain while doing this exercise do not continue.
If you are already struggling with loose neck skin and muscles, there are a few options that are available to you. Surgical procedures are the quickest and most effective treatments for turkey neck, but this requires cutting, scarring and recovery time. Two easy options that offer results include Botox and skin tightening laser therapy. Botox is non-invasive and requires zero recovery time – results will last about 3-4 months and repeat injections will be necessary to maintain skin firmness. Laser skin therapy also has no recovery time, but this treatment requires repeat therapy over 4-6 months for great results.
If you are looking to prevent turkey neck, or would like to treat sagging neck skin, visit us at Pure Luxe Medical for a consultation. Our staff will be happy to assess your skin and provide suggestions for treatment that will be best suited for your unique needs. We are also happy to offer new patient promotions every month for numerous treatments and products. If you’re looking to enhance your skin or looking for some extra pampering through the holiday season, contact us today – we look forward to meeting you!
Tone A Turkey Neck With This 1 Minute Daily Facial Exercise
FAQ
Does turkey neck go with weight loss?
Will losing weight get rid of saggy neck?
Can a turkey neck be tightened after weight loss?
Thankfully, unlike loose skin in the arms or belly area, a ‘turkey neck’ isn’t as much and doesn’t always require surgery to correct it. Luckily, there are several at-home ways to tighten neck skin after weight loss without surgery, including: Like any other part of the body, the neck and the face contain muscles.
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.
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.
Does Turkey Neck need surgery?
A good skin care routine, as well as exercising the neck muscles, can protect the skin and help tighten the neck muscles. But to remove excess skin, you may need surgery. Turkey neck occurs when your neck muscles begin weakening, and your skin loses its elasticity or ability to stretch and stay tight.