What causes a turkey neck? And how to get rid of it for good

It’s no news that our necks often take a back seat regarding treatments and skincare. Usually, we’re so focused on the skin on our faces, and how to keep it looking smooth, youthful, and bright that sometimes the other 90 per cent of our largest organ is forgotten about – until issues occur, that is. The neck is typically a key giveaway of age, mainly because it’s ignored when it comes to skincare and sun protection, which inevitably translates to wrinkles, creasing, sunspots, and loose skin in the long term.

And then there’s the fact that we’re constantly twisting, turning, and compressing our necks throughout the day. We often drop our head forward to look at our phones or laptops, which pinches the skin into folds, prompting sagging of the muscles and deeply etched horizontal lines over time.

The good news is, there are now a variety of options available for tackling a turkey neck for good.

What is turkey neck?

Turkey neck generally refers to the sagging of neck skin and fat that occurs when collagen and elastin break down, and your skin and muscle lose their ability to stretch and stay tight. Collagen and elastin are crucial proteins that keep the skin firm and plump, allowing it to spring back easily when stretched. As we age, collagen and elastin levels begin to deplete, and new production slows dramatically, resulting in loss of firmness and eventually, the skin loosens and starts to sag.

When this sagging and wrinkling occurs in the neck, it may start to resemble the ‘fleshy wattle’ on a turkey’s throat. Turkey necks are often confused with crepey skin – skin that has lost its ability to bounce back and has the appearance of wrinkled paper – but crepey skin doesn’t tend to hang as loosely as a turkey neck.

How to fix a turkey neck

If you’re considering a non-invasive form of treatment with a shorter recovery time than surgery, there are several options that you could consider. The neck is a delicate area and may require a combination of treatment modalities for best results. But, before you decide to move forward with them, make sure you do your research and find a highly skilled medical practitioner with experience treating this area.

Botox

Botox can reduce the virtual lines across the neck by injecting the strong platysma muscle to relax it. As we age, the muscle often gets stronger as the shrinking jawbone allows it to pull downwards more forcefully. Botox stops this problem in its tracks and, when maintained, is an excellent preventative method for future signs of ageing.

Sofwave

Sofwave is an excellent way to tighten and smooth the skin of the neck non-surgically. During the treatment, ultrasound energy precisely passes through the skin’s surface, heating the mid-dermal tissue at just the correct depth of 1.5mm to rejuvenate collagen fibres. Integrated Sofcool technology protects the outer skin layer and ensures treatment at the correct depth while ensuring no damage to the underlying structures below the dermis.

The impacted treatment zones stimulate a healing response called neo-collagenasis, which increases and regenerates the collagen in the skin, reducing sagging and wrinkles.

Often only a single 30-45-minute treatment is required, but other sessions may be required for optimal results. Sofwave treatment is minimally uncomfortable, and there is no downtime making the treatment ideal for people with busy lifestyles.

Profound RF

This radiofrequency micro-needling treatment is slightly more invasive but provides incredibly effective tightening and lifting to the lower face and neck. It’s a unique treatment that combines microneedling and radiofrequency technologies for an advanced result. During the treatment, thin needles are inserted into the skin, and radiofrequency energy is used to heat the skin. The deep skin tissue is heated to precisely 67 degrees Celsius and held at this temperature for several seconds, optimally stimulating skin repair. Over the following months, this translates to tighter, firmer, and plumper skin.

In studies, it has been shown to deliver the effect of a third of a facelift. Results develop over three months, up to a year, and last for two to three years.

Facial fillers

Whilst fillers don’t tend to be used in the neck itself, they can have a brilliant impact on its appearance by restoring the structure and foundations of the face that is lost with age, helping to pull the tissues back into place, and improve the neck’s appearance.

If your neck is an area of concern for you, click here to book a consultation with an expert practitioner.