Caring for your skin is paramount to living a good and healthy life. It helps you hold your head high when you go out and are among other people rather than remain self-conscious and miserable. Although inevitable variables like aging and genetics can cause skin aging, this is not the case for everyone.

Intentionally and consistently nourishing your skin with a healthy diet, water, and professionally certified products goes a long way to maintaining its elasticity and firmness. Read on to discover some of the causes, prevention, and treatment options to help eradicate turkey neck. Let’s dive in!

What is a Turkey Neck?

A turkey neck is an interesting way to refer to loose and sagging skin that can develop around the neck area due to aging. As the skin ages naturally, it tends to lose its elasticity and firmness due to reduced elastin and collagen production. Therefore, the skin loses its ability to return to normal and begins to droop and form a saggy or wrinkled appearance. Usually, this can be likened to the skin on a typical turkey’s neck, hence the name.

What Causes Turkey Neck?

As mentioned earlier, aging is a common trigger factor that causes turkey neck. However, this is not the only cause as there are other primary factors like lifestyle choices that can cause the neck to look this way. Below are some of them.

• Skin Elasticity Loss: The production of elastin and collagen by the skin reduces as people age. These are the essential proteins that help maintain skin firmness and elasticity. Hence, less production that is necessary of these essentials causes sagging and wrinkles on the neck.

• Weak Muscles: This can also be caused by aging. Neck muscles tend to weaken over time and form a drooping appearance as a result of the ineffectiveness of supporting the skin.

• Genetics: Turkey's neck can also be inherited. Even young people can experience premature wrinkles and sagging of the neck skin if there is a tendency for it to run in the family.

• UV Rays: The sun produces UV rays, and continuous or extended exposure to this can speed up the aging process of the skin. This is because it destroys the elastin and collagen that the skin produces.

• Skin Neglect: It is necessary to take care of your skin. Hence, it begins to show signs of premature aging. Little things like moisturizing and protecting the skin from the sun go a long way to lessening sagging.

• Substantial Weight Loss: Significant weight loss can cause the neck skin to become loose. While excess weight stretches the skin, rapid weight loss can cause the neck skin to sag due to its inability to regain its original elasticity.

• Poor Diet: Engaging in a diet that lacks the necessary nutrients and hydration can affect skin health. So, it is important to eat well and stay hydrated to maintain elasticity and overall health of the skin.
• In summary, while a factor like genetics can’t be controlled, other factors as a result of lifestyle choices like maintaining a healthy diet and protecting the skin from the sun are ways to reduce the risk of developing a turkey neck.

How to Prevent Turkey Neck

Although it is not entirely possible to prevent the natural aging process, several lifestyle choices can help minimize or delay the appearance of a saggy neck. Here are some tips to consider.

• Use Sunscreen: Since UV rays are a factor, you can prevent this by using sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every day, even when it’s cloudy. Sunglasses, hats, and protective clothing are other preventive measures to protect the skin from the sun.

• Neck Exercises: This helps to improve muscle tones. Examples of such exercises include neck tilts, head turns, and resistance exercises.

• Proper Nutrition: Drinking plenty of water and eating a balanced diet rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins helps to hydrate, nourish the skin and maintain elasticity.

• Skincare Routine: Regularly cleanse, moisturize, and exfoliate your skin to keep it healthy and sag-free. Skincare products with ingredients like hyaluronic acid and retinoids can help enhance skin firmness and texture.

• Checkups: Regular checkups with a dermatologist are another way to monitor your skin health and prevent turkey neck. This way, it becomes possible to address the issue of turkey neck and even prevent it via early detection.
• Aging is inevitable but this does not mean that your skin can’t remain vibrant and healthy. All it takes is consistent and intentional care.

How to Get Rid of Turkey Neck

There is no magical way to get rid of turkey neck instantly. It often entails a combination of intentional lifestyle changes like skincare routines and even seeking professional help. 

Turkey Neck Exercises

These are turkey neck exercises that work, which you can do at home to help strengthen the muscles in your neck. Although they may contribute to reducing the appearance of the turkey neck, ensure that you perform them gently so as not to strain your neck. You can also seek professional help if you have any neck or spine-related concerns. You can repeat these exercises about 10 to 15 times on each side of the neck.

Step one: 

First, there are neck tilts. This entails sitting or standing comfortably and slowly moving your head to one side while bringing your ear towards your shoulder. Hold that position for some seconds, return to an upright position, and repeat the same for the other side.

Step 2: 

Second, there is the neck resistance exercise. It entails sitting with your shoulders relaxed and back straight while placing your right palm on your forehead. Press your forehead against your palm to engage the neck muscles and hold the position for about 10 seconds while resisting the movement with your hand. Then, relax and repeat with your left hand on the side of your head.

Step 3: 

Also, there are chin lifts. To do this, you need to sit or stand with your spine straight and tilt your head back while looking at the ceiling. Then, pucker your lips as if you’re about to kiss the ceiling and hold this position for a few seconds until you feel the stretch in your neck.

Consistency is key for effective results. So, perform these exercises daily or several times a week to see noticeable improvements in your neck skin appearance, and muscles.

Will Losing Weight Help Turkey Neck?

There are pros and cons of losing weight, and they tend to affect the appearance of the neck skin. On the good side, losing weight can aid turkey neck treatment if it reduces the excess fat deposits under the skin that contribute to the appearance of a turkey neck. Also, losing weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet can help improve skin health and elasticity.

On the contrary, if there is a significant or quick weight loss, it can lead to loose skin around the neck area and an inability to regain its original elasticity. In addition, weight loss pronounces the appearance of wrinkles on the neck when the skin loses elasticity faster than the fat volume.

Therefore, it is important to go through gradual weight loss to allow the skin to adjust slowly. Also, stay hydrated, eat a balanced diet, exercise to strengthen your neck muscles, and consult a professional if loose skin remains a concern.

Turkey Neck Surgery

Also, known as lower rhytidectomy or neck lift, turkey neck surgery is a cosmetic surgical treatment that helps to enhance neck appearance. It addresses concerns of muscle laxity, sagging, and excess fat around the neck. If you are considering surgery, it is vital to consult with a board-certified cosmetic or plastic surgeon to discuss the turkey neck before and after the situation. 

This way, they can evaluate every factor to ensure that you are a suitable candidate for this procedure. They can also inform you of the possible risks and help you realistically understand the results to expect afterward.