What Causes Turkey Neck and How to Prevent or Treat It

Turkey neck, the loose, sagging skin under the chin and along the neck, is an unwelcome sign of aging that many wish they could avoid While genetics and aging play a role, there are several factors that contribute to and accelerate the development of turkey neck Understanding what causes it is key for prevention and early treatment.

Main Causes of Turkey Neck

Here are the primary causes of a crepe-y, sagging neck:

• Aging and loss of elasticity: As we age, skin loses collagen and elastin, the proteins that keep skin firm and supple. This allows gravity to take over causing sagging.

• Sun damage UV exposure breaks down collagen and elastin over time The delicate skin on the neck is often forgotten when applying sunscreen.

• Genetics: Inherited traits like bone structure and skin quality affect one’s tendency for loose neck skin.

• Weight fluctuations: Repeated cycles of weight gain and loss can overstretch the skin’s elastic capacity.

• Weak neck muscles: The platysma muscles running down the neck can weaken with age allowing loose skin.

• Lifestyle factors: Smoking, environmental pollutants, poor diet, and lack of exercise can degrade skin and contribute to turkey neck.

Factors That Accelerate Turkey Neck

Certain factors tend to hasten and worsen the appearance of turkey neck:

• Extreme weight loss: Losing a significant amount of weight quickly leaves excess skin with poor elasticity.

• Chronic sun exposure: Cumulative sun damage degrades collagen and elastin over decades.

• High stress levels: Stress hormones degrade collagen.

• Insufficient hydration: Dehydration leads to loss of plumpness and sagging.

• Poor diet: Diets low in protein, antioxidants and essential fatty acids contribute to skin aging.

• Genetic conditions: Conditions like cutis laxa cause loose, inelastic skin.

• Medications: Steroids, HIV medications, and others can cause fat redistribution and sagging.

Stages of Turkey Neck

Turkey neck tends to progress through stages:

• Mild: Some loss of definition along the jawline and minimal loose neck skin.

• Moderate: Clear loosening of skin with more evident sagging and jowling.

• Severe: Prominent wrinkled, sagging skin folds along jaw, chin and neck.

• Extreme: Excessive, drooping neck skin that sags over the collarbones and upper chest.

The earlier turkey neck is addressed, the better the potential outcome from treatments.

Prevention Tips and Non-Surgical Solutions

While turkey neck is largely inevitable with age, you can slow progression and improve appearance with these strategies:

• Use daily broad spectrum sunscreen on neck and chest.

• Moisturize neck skin morning and night.

• Maintain a healthy weight rather than yo-yoing.

• Do neck stretches and exercises to tone muscles.

• Use skin care products with retinoids, antioxidants, peptides.

• Try non-invasive treatments like ultrasound, radiofrequency and laser tightening.

• Get injections like Kybella to dissolve fat under chin.

When to Consider Turkey Neck Surgery

If non-surgical options have not improved turkey neck to your satisfaction, a neck lift or lower facelift are the most effective solutions. Good candidates for surgery include:

• Those with moderate to severe turkey neck sagging and skin laxity.

• Non-smokers (for proper healing).

• Individuals in good health without conditions that impair healing.

• People with realistic expectations for results.

Various surgical techniques are available depending on needs:

• Neck lift (platysmaplasty) targets neck skin and muscles.

• Lower facelift (cervicoplasty) also lifts jawline and jowls.

• Liposuction removes fat under chin and along jaw.

• Combination procedures provide a complete rejuvenation.

While surgery has risks, an experienced plastic surgeon can dramatically rejuvenate a sagging, wrinkled neck.

Maintaining a Youthful Neck

Avoiding or treating turkey neck comes down to diligent skincare, healthy lifestyle habits, early intervention with non-invasive treatments, and if needed, surgical correction.

The most effective approach includes:

• Being proactive with sun protection, skin care, diet and exercise.

• Addressing early changes in your 30s/40s with topicals, ultrasound, radiofrequency, etc.

• Considering surgical options if non-invasive options are inadequate after a few years.

• Understanding surgery risks and choosing an expert surgeon.

While some laxity is inevitable with age, a multipronged approach can help you maintain a shapely, youthful neck for decades to come. Don’t wait until extreme turkey neck sets in to take action! A little prevention and proactivity goes a long way.