Turkey neck is a common skin concern as we age, but luckily there are ways to tackle the problem that range from fairly accessible and minimally invasive to more intense procedures such as cosmetic surgery. At Skin Spa, we offer some medi-spa treatments that can target turkey neck. In this blog, we’ll share more about those as well as other methods to help you remove excess neck skin, tighten up the neck, and get rid of turkey neck once and for all!
What is turkey neck?
Turkey neck is a term for when the skin around your neck starts getting more pronounced wrinkles and sagging. This happens to most people as they age due to the weakening of the surrounding muscles and lowered elasticity of the skin itself.
The bad news? It happens to most people. The good news is that there are a number of ways to both mitigate and even reverse the progression of the dreaded turkey neck.
Types of Treatments for Turkey Neck
When it comes to treating turkey neck there are a couple of highly effective treatment options available.
- Neck Sagging Treatment
- Surgery
- How to get rid of turkey neck without surgery
- Turkey Neck Treatment at Nome
What to do for a Saggy Neck?
Neck Sagging Treatment
- Microneedling - While often used on the face to reduce acne scars and improve skin tone, this process can be applied to the neck as well! Microneedling is the act of using a small needle to cause micro-injuries to your skin which triggers your body’s natural healing response which includes producing more collagen and elastin in that area. Our SkinPen technology helps to address firmness and texture of the delicate skin around your neck. This is minimally invasive with minimal downtime that can be seen immediately and continue to improve over the next few months.
- Forma - Forma uses subdermal heating to help relax and remodel skin and tissue. It uses radio frequency to target deep layers of the skin. There is no downtime as this is a painless, non-invasive procedure. Many clients compare the feeling to a hot stone massage. Similar to microneedling, Forma helps to tighten the skin by reorganizing collagen and elastin. While this can be applied to many parts of the body, it is often associated with the face, neck, knees, and elbows where your skin gets stretched more frequently. It is also often combined with other treatments such as laser genesis to maximize your trip to Skin Spa.
Cosmetic Surgery
The quickest and most effective way to treat turkey neck, though it comes at a much higher cost. Some of the surgical procedures involve cutting excess skin out and removing unsightly fat buildup in the wrong areas, while others tighten and lift weak facial/neck muscles. A surgeon is able to create a smoother, more toned jowl and neck line while removing any problem areas with ease. One negative is that surgical procedures will lead to some scarring, though newer options typically are less invasive and much easier to heal from. Another negative is that it may take several weeks to several months to fully recover from neck lifts and liposuction. The main positive that causes people to flock to these procedures is that they typically last for 7-20 years before needing touch-ups. You pay a little extra in time and costs upfront, but it is much easier to manage after that.
How to get rid of turkey neck without surgery?
- Retinoids are often already included in skin care routines. These are vitamins that help speed up cell turnover and increase elastin and collagen production. Most products that offer skin-tightening or wrinkle reducing claims contain some form of retinoids. These creams, serums, and oils make gradual improvements over time, so making sure you use them consistently is the key to success. A benefit to incorporating them into your overall routine is the ancillary benefits of reducing hyperpigmentation and overall smoothness of the skin which can be especially troublesome for those with acne now or in the past.
- Botox Injections - What was once only available to the Hollywood elite, Botox has become even safer and more commonplace to middle America. Botox is the method of injecting a small amount of neuromodulator into the skin to relax the platysmal bands. This diminishes their appearance, lasts 3 to 4 months, and can be done as necessary for maintenance. While this may seem scary to get injections, this is a time tested procedure spanning decades with very minimal risk and has next to no recovery time.
Neck Exercises - Turkey Neck Treatment at Nome
Not ready to commit to any procedures? That's okay! You can still have an impact by making facial and neck exercises part of your normal routine, no weights required! Many of the exercises here use only the resistance from your hand pushing in the opposite direction of your movements. One common technique is making a fist under your jaw and pressing up lightly as you open and close your mouth slowly. A second technique is to tilt your head back with your hand applying pressure on your chin as you open and close your mouth. A third technique is to lie on a bed with your head hanging over the edge and slowly raise and lower your neck muscles. This list from Healthline is a good place to start!
Will Losing Weight Help Turkey Neck?
Yes, losing weight can help reduce the appearance of a turkey neck. Excess weight can contribute to sagging skin, and weight loss may improve skin elasticity, minimizing the turkey neck effect.
What is the Cause of a Turkey Neck?
The primary cause of a turkey neck is the aging process, which leads to the loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone in the neck area. Other factors include genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle choices.
At What Age Does Turkey Neck Start?
Turkey neck typically becomes more noticeable with age, generally starting in the 40s or 50s. However, individual experiences may vary, and factors like genetics and lifestyle can influence when it becomes apparent.
Turkey neck is an all too common concern, but luckily there are lots of options you can consider! From medi-spa treatments like microneedling to injections and facial exercises, there’s something for everyone to try, even non-invasive methods! If you’re worried about turkey neck, consider checking out a Skin Spa New York near you to learn more about microneedling and other potential ways to target turkey neck, one treatment at a time.