Loose sagging skin in the neck and chin area gives the face a bottom-heavy appearance that’s associated with old age. Ideally, there should be a distinct separation between the neck and the jawline, but the combination of gravity, excess fat, weakened neck muscles, and skin laxity often result in what’s known as turkey neck. Although “turkey neck” is a common side-effect of aging, it’s never welcome. So how do you get rid of it? Here’s what you need to know. 

The best ways to get rid of turkey neck 

“Turkey neck” is typically caused by some combination of excess fat, loose skin, and muscle sagging beneath the chin. The best technique to lift a “turkey neck” corrects one or more of those three elements: fat, excess skin, and muscle sagging.  The best way to get rid of turkey neck will depend on the severity of presentation and elasticity of the skin.  

A younger person with tightly applied elastic skin of the neck may be able to get rid of excess fat in the neck simply by losing weight. Neck muscles can be strengthened with specific exercises, and youthful skin may tighten naturally after weight is lost and neck contour becomes more trim. 

After middle age, skin elasticity declines.  A neck with diminished skin elasticity may remain loose, wrinkled, and sagging after neck fat is lost.  Neck exercises and strengthening may not sufficiently restore youthful neck contours.  Cosmetic surgery may be the only way to re-create a more alluring and energetic appearing neck.  We present here both less and more invasive approaches to adjust neck features for a slender, more youthful neck.

Non-surgical ways to get rid of turkey neck

Most non-surgical methods of getting rid of turkey neck take time and effort, but if you’re consistent and stay committed, you will see results. 

Weight loss

In a perfect world, a person could target weight loss to certain parts of the body, and keep it plump and squeezable in other parts. Unfortunately, losing weight in just the neck isn’t an option. If you’re already as slim as you want to be, you may need to try something besides diet and exercise to get rid of your turkey neck. For others, however, neck fat is the first to go as the pounds begin to melt away. If you’re looking for a doctor-supported weight loss program, consider 10x.diet. 

Neck exercise

Sagging bands of muscle in the neck cannot be improved by exercise but the bulk of your neck may respond to a program directed at strengthening sternocleidomastoid and paraspinous neck muscles.  

OPUS Plasma skin tightening

When we’re young, our skin snaps back into place after weight loss. But the older we get, the more likely our skin is to stretch out and stay there. The good news is that some medical spa procedures are designed to tighten and firm loose crepey skin. At Feel Beautiful, we offer ​​Opus® Plasma, an FDA-approved system that generates controlled plasma and radiofrequency energy to tighten loose skin on your face, neck, and beneath your chin. Optimal results take several treatments, but over time, ​​Opus® offers dramatic anti-aging effects. 

Surgical methods for turkey neck treatment 

Liposuction, the facelift, and the necklift are the three most common surgical methods for getting rid of turkey neck. 

Liposuction 

For some people, no matter how physically active they are, the neck takes on a full, heavy appearance that draws the eye downward and away from their beautiful facial features. When liposuction is used to remove excess fatty tissue from the neck area, it helps to restore definition to the face and neck, creating a more youthful appearance. Liposuction can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with a chin implant to fill in the area along the jawline and sharpen the angle between chin and neck for a more attractive profile. 

Facelift 

The main focus of a facelift is to tighten loose skin on the face for a tighter, firmer, and more youthful appearance. The procedure does tighten loose neck skin to some degree, and sometimes it’s enough to create delicate feminine neck contours. For more severe cases of sagging neck skin, however, a neck lift may be needed to create a more uniform and natural appearance to the face and neck. 

Neck lift

Neck lift surgery is the most effective way to drastically improve signs of aging in the neck and lower face. It can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or in combination with a range of other cosmetic procedures, from skin resurfacing treatments to surgical enhancements designed to rejuvenate your appearance and help you look your best. The benefits of neck lift surgery include: 

• Creates longer contoured neck
• Decreases fat in face and chin
• Tightens neck muscles
• Reduces excess skin
• Removes banded neck appearance
• Shrinks and permanently removes double chins
• Involves minimal scarring and short recovery time

A slender, toned neck can take years off your appearance. But don’t just take our word for it. Take a peek at our neck lift photo gallery here.

Be your most beautiful you at Feel Beautiful

Whether you want to contour your neck, augment your breasts, or reshape your nose, we’re here for you. At Feel Beautiful in San Diego, we offer a comprehensive range of cosmetic procedures, and you can rest easy knowing you’re in the hands of one of San Diego’s top cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Laverson is committed to helping every patient look and feel their best, and he’d love to do the same for you. Give us a call at (858) 295-4001  to schedule a consultation with Dr. Laverson today.