How to Get Rid of a Turkey Neck: Your Top Treatment Options

If you are like many people, at some point in your life, you may wonder how to get rid of a turkey neck. Today there are both surgical and non-surgical options to improve the appearance of the neck.

The term “turkey neck” refers to a combination of aging affecting the neck and jawline. It is a combination of loss of skin elasticity, weakening neck muscles, and shifting fat. The saggy look is sometimes the first sign of aging that really bothers many people.

This overview of four popular and effective treatments is purely informational. Really, there is no substitute for seeking a skilled plastic surgeon for a personalized consultation. If you live near Charlotte, NC, we hope you try Charlotte Plastic Surgery, as our surgical team is experienced in providing each of the following treatments as well as others.

Top Treatment Options for “Turkey Neck”

Four treatments are especially effective depending on the condition of your skin. Some address newly accumulated fat stores that lead to jowling, others target skin elasticity, and a surgical option that tightens more advanced loose skin on the neckline.

Neck Lift Surgery

Often a neck lift is the only way to get rid of sagging skin, as no magic cream exists that can restore the firm contours of youth. A neck lift is very much like a facelift focused on the neck.

During this operation, a surgeon removes excess fat and skin and then tightens the underlying muscles and skin. If you only started to notice sagging or are not ready for a surgical option, there are a few non-surgical cosmetic procedures that can help improve the appearance of minor sagging.

You may be a good candidate for a neck lift if:

• You are not a smoker
• You are at a stable weight and relatively close to your healthy weight range
• You are generally healthy, as recommended for all elective operations
• You have realistic expectations based on a consultation with a skilled plastic surgeon

CoolSculpting®

CoolSculpting® is primarily used to freeze and destroy fat cells strategically. It can help fight jowling and the look of a double chin. Some studies indicate CoolSculpting® may also help improve skin elasticity, but it’s too soon to tell.

You may be a good candidate for CoolSculpting if:

• You are within 20 pounds of your healthy weight, and your weight is stable
• You don’t have any medical metal, electrical, or electronic implants in the area you wish to target
• The area you want to treat isn’t swollen, infected, or inflamed

Profound® RF Facial

This is an FDA-cleared non-surgical treatment using a combination of microneedling and heat to improve skin texture, appearance, and elasticity resulting in smoother, firmer-looking skin on the neck. Since it is non-surgical, there is no significant downtime.

You may be a good candidate for Profound RF if:

• You want to improve skin elasticity or sagging, especially in the lower part of the face and neck
• You want to treat fine lines and wrinkles along the cheeks
• You also hope to treat volume loss around the mouth and cheeks
• You are not allergic to any serum or materials that might be used in the treatment

Kybella®

Like CoolSculpting®, Kybella® is also a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that reduces fat under the chin. However, Kybella® works differently than CoolSculpting®.

Instead of freezing the fat, your provider injects deoxycholic acid into the targeted area. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule that can help break down and absorb fat. The treatment destroys fat cells. Kybella is generally well tolerated but may require a few days of recovery and healing.

You may be a good candidate for Kybella® if:

• You have a moderate or severe double chin you want to get rid of
• You are 18 years old or older
• You are not currently pregnant or breastfeeding
• You don’t have an existing infection near the planned injection site

Maintaining Your Results

Sadly you can’t stop time. However, you can limit the causes of premature aging and maintain your results to prevent accelerated aging. The best way is to protect your skin from the sun, which may involve wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and maybe even wearing hats and scarves to shield the neck from damaging UV rays.

Otherwise, maintaining a stable weight, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, avoiding smoking, and taking care of your skin all help maintain youth.

Talk with your surgeon or skin health professional about the best skincare products that can help you maintain your results. Results may be long-lasting for a neck lift, Kybella, CoolSculpting, or Profound if you take care of yourself and your skin.

Schedule a Consultation

Your first step towards how to get rid of a turkey neck and achieving a firmer younger neck is scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon. The team at Charlotte Plastic Surgery has served the Charlotte community for over seven decades and has a proven track record of rejuvenating the skin and neck.

Your doctor will ask you about your needs and goals during your consultation. Please be open and inform your surgeon of your medical history and any pre-existing conditions. Your doctor needs that information to help you find the option that will be safest and most effective for you.

During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will most likely share before and after photographs from prior patients to show you what your results may look like. It’s also a great time to ask any questions you may have. Sometimes a patient may come in wanting a specific procedure, but the plastic surgeon may recognize that another procedure is more likely to lead to the desired results. No treatment is suitable for every person. We hope you listen to the suggestions and have a frank discussion.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation appointment.