Turkey Neck: Exercises, Treatments & Surgeries to Get Rid of It

What Is Turkey Neck?

Turkey neck is a term used to describe sagging or loose skin around the neck, which can resemble the skin of a turkey’s wattle. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, and the muscles in the neck weaken, causing the skin to droop and fold. The appearance of a turkey neck is most noticeable when there is excess fat, weakened skin, or slack muscle in the neck area, leading to an unsightly, sagging appearance.

Turkey neck can develop gradually, starting with slight sagging, but over time, it may worsen, affecting your overall facial appearance.

What Causes Turkey Neck?

Several factors contribute to the development of turkey neck, including aging, sun exposure, genetics, weight fluctuations, poor postures, and lack of exercise. Here are the more details of them:

1. Aging: As we age, the skin naturally loses collagen and elastin, two proteins responsible for skin’s firmness and elasticity. This results in sagging skin, particularly in areas like the neck, which is often overlooked in skincare routines.
2. Sun Exposure: Excessive sun exposure can damage the skin, leading to sunspots, wrinkles, and a loss of elasticity. Over time, this damage can accelerate the formation of turkey neck.
3. Genetics: If your family members have a history of sagging neck skin or turkey neck, you might be more predisposed to it. Genetics play a major role in how your skin ages.
4. Weight Fluctuations: Dramatic weight loss can cause the skin to stretch and sag, leading to loose skin around the neck. This is especially true if the skin doesn’t have enough time to adjust and tighten after significant weight changes.
5. Poor Posture: Constantly looking down or slouching can weaken the muscles in your neck and chin, causing the skin to sag over time.
6. Lack of Exercise: A lack of physical activity can lead to weakened muscles and skin tone, including the muscles around the neck area.

How to Get Rid of Turkey Neck?

The good news is that there are several effective ways to get rid of turkey neck, depending on the severity of the condition. Treatment options like radiofrequency therapy, Ultherapy, and Botox injections can help tighten the skin and restore a youthful appearance. For more severe cases, a neck lift or facelift surgery may be required for dramatic, long-lasting results. In addition to professional treatments, exercises for turkey neck—such as chin lifts, neck stretches, and jaw releases—can help improve muscle tone and prevent further sagging. Preventing turkey neck through consistent care, a healthy lifestyle, and regular neck exercises is always better than trying to fix it later on.

Let’s look at some of the most effective treatments and exercises:

Neck Exercises for Turkey Neck

Exercises can be an excellent non-invasive way to target the muscles of your neck and chin. Regularly practicing these movements can help improve muscle tone, tighten the skin, and slow down the progression of turkey neck. Here are a few exercises to try:

1. Neck Stretch

• Sit or stand with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
• Gently tilt your head back and look up at the ceiling.
• Pucker your lips and stretch them upward toward the ceiling.
• Hold the position for 10-15 seconds and repeat 10-15 times.

2. Chin Lifts

• Sit or stand with your back straight and shoulders relaxed.
• Tilt your head back to look at the ceiling.
• Keep your lips closed and push your lower jaw forward, feeling a stretch in the area beneath your chin.
• Hold for 10 seconds, then return to the starting position. Repeat 10-15 times.

3. Neck Rotations

• Sit up straight and gently rotate your head to the right, bringing your chin over your shoulder.
• Hold for 5 seconds, then rotate to the left side.
• Repeat 5-10 times for each side.

4. Jaw Release

• Sit or stand up straight.
• Move your lower jaw forward as far as comfortable, hold for 5 seconds, then relax.
• Repeat 10-15 times for best results.

These exercises can strengthen the muscles under your chin and improve the appearance of turkey neck over time. For the best results, aim to do these exercises daily.

Treatments for Turkey Neck

In addition to exercises, several treatments can help reduce the appearance of turkey neck. Depending on the severity of the condition, you can choose from the following options:

Non-Surgical Treatments for Turkey Neck

If you’re looking to address turkey neck without surgery, there are several effective non-invasive treatments available. These options can tighten the skin, restore volume, and improve the appearance of sagging without the need for incisions or extensive recovery time.

• Radiofrequency (RF) Treatments: RF treatments use targeted energy to heat the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production and tightening the tissue. This can significantly reduce the appearance of turkey neck, providing smoother, firmer skin over time.
• Botox Injections: Botox injections can be used to relax the muscles in the neck, preventing further sagging and improving the appearance of turkey neck. This treatment is ideal for mild to moderate cases and provides temporary results.
• Dermal Fillers: If the sagging in the neck is caused by volume loss, dermal fillers can be injected to restore lost volume, improve skin elasticity, and reduce the hollow, sunken appearance of the neck area.
• High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU): HIFU is another non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to target deeper layers of the skin. It stimulates collagen production, tightens the skin, and lifts sagging tissues, making it an effective alternative to surgery for turkey neck.
• Ultherapy: This ultrasound treatment targets deep layers of the skin, stimulating collagen production to tighten and lift the skin. It’s an excellent option for those seeking gradual, natural-looking results without surgery.

These non-surgical options offer a variety of ways to address turkey neck, depending on your specific needs and the severity of your condition.

Surgical Treatments for Turkey Neck

In more severe cases of turkey neck, where non-surgical treatments may not provide the desired results, surgical options can offer dramatic, long-lasting improvements. These procedures remove excess skin, tighten underlying muscles, and restore a more youthful contour to the neck and jawline.

• Neck Lift: A neck lift is a targeted procedure that focuses on the neck area to remove excess skin and tighten the underlying muscles. This treatment can significantly improve the appearance of sagging skin, giving the neck a smoother, firmer look while redefining the jawline. It’s a great option for those with advanced turkey neck that non-surgical treatments can’t fully address.
• Facelift: A facelift can address both the face and neck simultaneously. This procedure involves lifting the skin and muscles of the face and neck, effectively eliminating sagging and restoring a more youthful, defined appearance. A facelift can also provide a comprehensive solution for improving both facial and neck contours, making it ideal for individuals seeking a more rejuvenated, natural look.

Both the neck lift and facelift are highly effective for treating turkey neck, providing long-term results and improving both the aesthetic and confidence of individuals with more pronounced neck sagging.

Face Lift vs Neck Lift

While both a facelift and neck lift can improve sagging skin, they target different areas. A facelift addresses sagging around the face, jawline, and cheeks, while a neck lift focuses solely on the neck area. If turkey neck is your primary concern, a neck lift might be a more appropriate solution. In some cases, both procedures can be done together to achieve a comprehensive, rejuvenated appearance.

Saggy Neck vs Turkey Neck

A saggy neck refers to skin that is loose but may not be particularly defined in its drooping, while turkey neck refers specifically to the loose skin that hangs down in folds or a wattle-like appearance. Turkey neck is often a more severe version of a saggy neck and may require more advanced treatments or surgical intervention to correct.

How Much Does a Turkey Neck Treatment Cost?

The cost of turkey neck treatment can vary widely depending on the type of treatment chosen, the severity of the condition, and the clinic’s location and expertise. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Non-surgical turkey neck treatments like Ultherapy, HIFU, Radiofrequency (RF) treatments, Botox, and dermal fillers can range from ₹15,000 to ₹60,000 per session depending on the technology used, treatment area, and the number of sessions required.
• Surgical treatments such as neck lift or facelift are more invasive and typically cost between ₹1,50,000 to ₹3,00,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the procedure and surgeon expertise.

At Oliva Clinic, personalized treatment plans are designed based on individual concerns and severity. We offer advanced, non-invasive treatments for turkey neck performed by experienced dermatologists, ensuring safe and effective results. To know the exact cost for your case, it’s best to book a consultation with our experts.

Takeaway

Dealing with turkey neck doesn’t mean you have to accept sagging skin as a permanent part of your appearance. From simple exercises to advanced non-surgical treatments and even more permanent solutions like neck lifts and facelifts, there are a variety of options available to help restore a youthful neck contour.

Prevention is always better than treatment, so maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a solid skincare routine, and good posture can help slow down the effects of aging.

If you’re looking for effective non-invasive treatments for turkey neck, Oliva Clinic stands out as the best choice. With advanced options like RF treatments, Botox, Fillers, and HIFU, our experienced dermatologists offer tailored solutions to tighten skin and improve neck contours. Whether you’re opting for natural remedies or professional treatments, it’s never too late to rejuvenate your neck area and regain your confidence. At Oliva Clinic, we’re committed to helping you look and feel your best!