Turkey neck, the saggy, wrinkled skin under the chin and on the neck that develops as we age, can be an annoying and embarrassing issue for many men. Luckily, there are several effective options to treat turkey neck ranging from simple lifestyle changes to surgical procedures. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the causes of turkey neck in men and provide actionable tips to help you smooth and tighten the skin for a sharper, more youthful profile.
What Causes Turkey Neck in Men?
Turkey neck occurs due to a combination of factors:
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Aging – As we get older, skin loses elasticity and collagen causing it to sag This process is accelerated in men due to testosterone decline
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Genetics – Some men are simply prone to carrying extra skin, fat and having poor muscle tone in the neck area.
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Weight Gain – Extra fat under the chin leads to jowl formation and turkey neck.
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Lifestyle Factors – Smoking, sun exposure, poor diet and lack of exercise can all degrade skin and contribute to turkey neck
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Weak Neck Muscles – The platysma muscles running down the neck can weaken with age causing loose neck skin.
Lifestyle Changes To Prevent Turkey Neck
Making healthy lifestyle choices can go a long way towards preventing and treating turkey neck by keeping skin firm and strengthening neck muscles. Here are some tips:
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Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise. Excess weight strains the skin on the neck.
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Do cardio and strength training exercises to boost collagen production and circulation for healthier skin.
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Perform specific neck exercises like chin tucks and neck rotations to tone the platysma muscles.
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Eat a balanced, nutritious diet high in antioxidants from colorful fruits and vegetables.
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Stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water daily. Dehydration leads to dry, sagging skin.
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Stop smoking which degrades collagen and elastin leading to wrinkles.
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Protect your skin from sun exposure by using sunscreen and wearing hats. UV rays damage skin collagen.
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Get adequate sleep as growth hormone released during sleep promotes collagen production.
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Use moisturizers and creams with antioxidants like vitamin C and retinol to nourish the skin on your neck.
Non-Surgical Options for Treating Turkey Neck
In addition to lifestyle measures, there are several non-surgical options men can consider for tightening and rejuvenating the neck skin.
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Botox – Can treat neck bands and cords by relaxing the platysma muscles. Results last 3-4 months.
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Laser Skin Resurfacing – Uses laser energy to stimulate new collagen growth and tighten skin. Multiple treatments needed.
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Ultrasound Skin Tightening – Focused ultrasound waves penetrate deep into skin to lift and tighten. No downtime.
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Microneedling – Tiny needles create micro-injuries so skin renews itself. Done in-office.
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Topical Skin Products – Look for creams containing retinol, vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acids, and peptides to improve skin texture, brightness and firmness. N-acetyl glucosamine shows promise in reducing neck wrinkles.
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Chemical Peels – Glycolic, salicylic or trichloroacetic acid peels remove dead skin cells revealing smoother, renewed skin underneath.
These non-surgical options stimulate collagen, improve skin texture, and may mildly tighten skin. However, they cannot recreate lost volume or remove excess, sagging skin on the neck.
Surgical Procedures for Turkey Neck Removal
For men seeking significant tightening and rejuvenation of a sagging, wrinkled neck, surgical options produce the most dramatic, longest-lasting improvements by directly removing excess skin and fat.
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Cervical Liposuction – Removes fat under the chin and along the jawline for better definition. Does not address excess skin.
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Neck Lift (Platysmaplasty) – Incisions made under the chin to tighten platysma muscles and remove excess skin.
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Lower Facelift – Tightens deeper structures in the face and neck. More extensive than a neck lift alone.
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Brow or Eyelid Surgery – Can be combined with a neck lift for total facial rejuvenation.
Results from these procedures are immediately visible with continued improvements over several months as swelling subsides. A skilled plastic surgeon will ensure scarring is minimal.
It’s advisable to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before and after surgery and follow post-op instructions closely to support optimal healing. Most men can return to normal activities within 2 weeks.
Which Option is Best for You?
The right approach to treating turkey neck depends on factors like your skin type and laxity, your budget, downtime available for recovery, and your end goals.
While surgery offers the most dramatic improvements, some men may be satisfied with subtly enhancing their appearance through topical creams, Botox, and laser treatments. Others may choose to start with non-surgical options first before considering a surgical neck lift or lower facelift later on.
Book a consultation with an experienced cosmetic surgeon or dermatologist to have an open discussion about your specific concerns and aesthetic goals. Together, you can develop a customized treatment plan to refresh your neckline so you can face the world with increased confidence.
With a range of effective options now available, there is no need to live with frustrating turkey neck. Take steps today to smooth, tighten and sculpt your neckline for a sharper, masculine profile.
Treatments for turkey neck
While exercising the neck muscles can make them firmer, this wonât change the condition of the skin. If you want to get rid of turkey neck, several treatments may help improve your neckâs appearance.
Some treatments are non-invasive, meaning they do not involve surgery; others are done using minimally invasive surgical techniques that use small incisions, or through conventional surgery.
âThe right options for you depend on several factors, including your age, skin type and the severity of the condition,â says Salvatore Pacella, MD, division head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Scripps Clinic and Scripps Green Hospital. âA board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial procedures can help you determine which treatments may give you the best results.â
If you have vertical band-like lines on your neck, Botox or Dysport (i.e., neuromodulator) injections can help by temporarily reducing the activity of the neck muscle and can help the skin appear 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. Depending on the type of laser, the results can be mild to moderate; treatment usually requires multiple sessions to achieve the desired result. There is usually minimal recovery time and the results can last a few years.
A facelift is a surgical procedure that involves tightening and lifting weak facial and neck muscles along with removing excess loose skin to create a smoother, more toned jowl and neck.
The surgeon will make an incision behind each ear so that the scars are hidden; if needed, another incision may be made below the chin. After the surgery, patients wear an elastic compression bandage around the neck and head to reduce swelling.
Facelift and necklift are usually performed together as an outpatient procedure using general anesthesia; the procedure generally takes one to two hours. Most patients have some bruising and swelling for the first week or so and return to work and other activities after two weeks. There are variations of the technique which pull the face and neck in different directions to achieve a very natural result.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. The cosmetic improvement tends to last 15 to 20 years compared to traditional facelift techniques that may last only seven to 10 years.â
Dr. Pacella also specializes in the mini facelift, a less invasive procedure for people who want more subtle improvements.
Excess skin or loosening of the skin caused by the natural loss of facial fat volume over time can be corrected with fat transfer. This process involves harvesting fat from one part of the body (similar to liposuction) and treating it gently in an effort to purify fatâs natural stem cells. These cells are then precisely injected into areas that require augmentation or âplumping.â Fat transfer may cause some swelling for about two weeks after the procedure.
âFat transfer is also commonly used together with facial rejuvenation procedures such as necklifts and deep plane lifts to add volume and restore the natural and youthful contour of your neck that has been lost over time,â says Dr. Pacella.
Cosmetic treatments can tighten sagging neck skin
It looks fine on a turkey, but loose, wrinkled or sagging skin on the neck is an undesired side effect of aging for many people.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 canât control aging, but protecting skin from the sun and keeping the face and neck hydrated can help, along with avoiding smoking. Turkey neck tends to have a genetic component, so if a parent had it, you likely have a higher chance of developing it as well.
A Tip That Can Help Remove the Appearance of ‘Turkey Neck’
FAQ
How do you get rid of a turkey neck fast?
What causes turkey neck in men?
How to get rid of a turkey neck?
Keep your head up and your hips low. If you want to burn a lot of calories, the best place to start is with a total-body movement that works a lot of muscles all at once. Doing a lower-body exercise to get rid of your turkey neck might not seem related, but in reality, you have to target the fat all over your body for maximum results.
How can I fix my neck pain?
Gentle streching, alternating ice pack with heat several times and massage can help in relieving neck pain. Mild analgesic spray, liniment or cream can also be used to relieve pain.
How do I Choose an effective Turkey Neck treatment?
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.
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.