How to Get Rid of a Turkey Neck for Good

It’s finally happened. Your nana’s sagging jawline has made an unwelcome appearance on your face. What’s started as a little softness under your chin has become a full-fledged gobbler.

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“What’s known as ‘turkey neck’ is a problem with your neck’s skin, fat or underlying muscle, or a combination of the three,” says plastic surgeon Martin Newman, MD. “It’s often a sign of aging, but younger people can experience it, too. There are many ways to address it, depending on the cause and what kind of results you want.”

Dr. Newman explains why turkey neck develops and the many nonsurgical and surgical options available to improve or get rid of it.

A turkey neck, also known as waddle neck or double chin is loose, hanging skin under the chin and along the jawline. This cosmetic issue typically develops with age as skin loses elasticity but poor posture, genetics, and weight gain can also cause a turkey neck to form.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of a turkey neck for good, you have options. Both nonsurgical treatments and plastic surgery procedures can smooth and tighten turkey neck skin. With the right approach, you can restore definition to your jawline and neck.

What Causes Turkey Neck?

Several factors lead to the development of turkey neck or double chin:

Aging As we get older, skin produces less collagen and elastin, fibers that keep skin firm and flexible. Gravity also takes over, causing the skin on our faces to drift downward This leads to loose, sagging skin on the neck
Genetics: Some people inherit features like delicate skin or a recessive jawline and chin that make them prone to turkey neck. If your parents had loose neck skin, you likely will too.
Weight gain: Extra fat on the body collects in all sorts of places, including the neck. Even a small amount of weight gain can cause fat to accumulate under the chin.
Posture: Keeping your head thrust forward can shorten the neck muscles and cause excess skin to gather. Improving posture helps prevent and minimize turkey neck.
Sun damage: Years of sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin in skin, reducing elasticity. The delicate skin on the neck is especially vulnerable to UV damage.
Smoking: Chemicals in cigarettes degrade skin proteins. This accelerates aging, including loose, crepey neck skin.

Nonsurgical Treatments for Turkey Neck

You don’t necessarily need plastic surgery to tighten a turkey neck. Several nonsurgical skin treatments can improve neck skin, either alone or in combination:

Ultherapy: This procedure uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production deep in the skin. More collagen tightens and lifts the skin. Multiple treatments are needed initially with maintenance treatments every year or two.
Laser skin tightening: Laser energy heats the dermis to prompt new collagen growth. A series of laser skin tightening treatments may gradually reduce neck skin looseness.
Radiofrequency skin tightening: This treatment uses radiofrequency energy to heat the dermis and boost collagen production. It can improve mild skin laxity when done in a series.
Injectable fillers: Dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid (Juvederm, Restylane) or calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) subtly plump the skin from below to smooth wrinkles. Results last 6 months to 2 years.
Botox: Botox injections relax the platysma neck muscles to smooth vertical neck bands. Results last 3-4 months. Botox doesn’t treat loose neck skin itself.
Medical microdermabrasion: This minimally invasive treatment exfoliates the epidermis with fine crystals to reveal fresher skin below. It also stimulates collagen remodeling.
Microneedling: Using small needles to puncture the skin sparks collagen production and skin tightening. Multiple treatments are needed.
Topical products: Using prescription retinoids and products with antioxidants, alpha hydroxy acids, and peptides may improve neck skin texture and elasticity over time.

Plastic Surgery Procedures for Turkey Neck

For moderate to severe turkey neck or those unresponsive to nonsurgical treatments, plastic surgery can deliver significant, longer-lasting improvements. Options include:

Neck lift: This surgery removes excess neck skin and fat through an incision under the chin or behind the ears. The underlying platysma muscles are tightened as well. Results last 7-10 years or longer.
Lower facelift: A facelift tightens the skin, muscles, and tissues along the jawline and neck. Incisions are made around the ears to access the lower face. Effects typically last up to 10 years.
Chin implant: Augmenting a small, recessed chin makes the neck look tighter. An implant is inserted through an incision inside the mouth.
Neck liposuction: This removes excess fat under the chin through a small incision. Ultrasound or laser energy may be used to also stimulate skin tightening.
Kybella injections: These dissolve fat under the chin. Several injections are done 1 month apart. Mild swelling and numbness can occur.
Turkey neck exercises: Isometric neck exercises can strengthen the platysma muscles to minimize neck bands. However, exercise alone cannot fix loose turkey neck skin.

Finding an Experienced Plastic Surgeon

Consulting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon is key for treating turkey neck and achieving satisfying, beautiful results.

Ask to see plenty of before and after photos of neck procedures so you can evaluate the surgeon’s aesthetic skills.
Look for a surgeon who regularly performs facelifts, neck lifts, and other rejuvenating procedures. Their expertise and artistry leads to better outcomes.
Select a surgeon you’re comfortable with. Make sure they listen to your goals and address all your questions during consultations.
Choose an AAAASF accredited plastic surgery practice. This certification indicates rigorous standards for safety and quality patient care.

With customized treatment from a skilled plastic surgeon, you can restore a smooth, sculpted neck and jawline. No more turkey neck: just refreshed, youthful contours you’ll love seeing in photos and the mirror.

how do i get rid of a turkey neck

Nonsurgical treatments for a turkey neck

Many products and minimally invasive procedures can help improve your skin’s elasticity and the appearance of neck fat, including:

Other, more potent options include:

Deoxycholic acid, or Kybella® injections, which help dissolve neck fat.
Fat freezing and nonsurgical body sculpting, such as CoolSculpting®, and devices that use laser, radiofrequency or ultrasound energy to destroy fat cells.

To improve your neck’s underlying muscle quality and tone, you can try:

Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist.
Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck. “The muscles become tight and enlarged,” Dr. Newman explains. “Applying Botox (botulinum toxin) helps tone them down and can be very effective.” Before having Botox injections into your neck bands, though, be sure to ask your plastic surgeon about “indications” for this medication (whether it’s safe and recommended for you).

But buyer beware: “The brochures for many nonsurgical treatments commonly promise great results, but often provide subtle changes,” Dr. Newman warns. “And it usually takes several sessions to achieve desired results followed by maintenance.”

He continues: “While they can improve your skin’s character and quality, they all pale in comparison to turkey neck surgery. Nevertheless, many people are happy with their results.”Every facelift surgery is specific to the person’s unique face and goals, so it’s important to have a thorough discussion with your surgeon before your surgery.

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.”

Tone A Turkey Neck With This 1 Minute Daily Facial Exercise

FAQ

Can turkey neck go away?

“You can improve tone on the neck, but the amount of collagen and elastin in the neck skin is less than most other areas on the body. You can’t really tighten that area up that much, unless you move to the more surgical end of the spectrum.”

What causes a turkey neck?

Some people are born with more fat under their chins and around their necks than others. Turkey necks are more common among people who have excess fat under their chins and around their necks because extra fat can cause the skin to stretch and fold. Gaining weight can also result in a turkey neck.

What is the best non-surgical treatment for turkey neck?

Ultherapy® is the only FDA-cleared, non-invasive and revolutionary technology device for lifting the skin on the neck and chin. It uses ultrasound technology to deliver heat to the deeper layers of the skin right down to the neck muscles (platysmal muscles). This stimulates remodelling and tightening of collagen.

What can I do if I have a turkey neck?

To improve your neck’s underlying muscle quality and tone, you can try: Turkey neck exercises: Daily neck exercises can strengthen neck muscles, which may help improve your neck’s appearance. For ideas on moves you can try, ask a dermatologist. Botox® for turkey neck: As the platysma muscles weaken, vertical bands or cords can appear on your neck.

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 you get rid of Turkey Neck pain?

Push your head up as high as you can and repeat five times. If this exercise is causing neck pain, it’s recommended that you don’t continue with it. A good skincare routine may be one of the most effective ways to treat a number of skin concerns, including turkey neck.

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.