Aging isn’t usually a fun process, no matter how hard you try to prepare yourself for its arrival. We all get older and our skin can’t stay as young and fresh as it used to when collagen production slows down and years of sun damage take their toll.
Most people are concerned about facial aging more than anything—until they look in the mirror one day and are faced with saggy neck skin that looks eerily like a turkey wattle. Unfortunately, we often neglect the delicate skin on our necks, even if we take care to use anti-aging serums and masks on our faces.
The dreaded “turkey neck” look is extremely common among older people, and it isn’t always easy to prevent. Even if you do take good care of your neck, you can’t always keep the skin from becoming thinner, eventually leading to a soft, saggy, crepe-like appearance.
So what can you do about a turkey neck? Here’s what you need to know.
What Causes a Turkey Neck?
There are several different factors that can lead to a turkey wattle appearance. The first, of course, is sagging skin. As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin, leading to softer skin that is not able to hold its shape. Over time, this effect with the addition of gravity can lead to skin sagging and gathering on the neck and underneath the chin.
Another factor can be stubborn fat that collects beneath the chin. This “double chin” effect can make sagging in the jowls appear worse and contribute to the turkey neck appearance. Fat underneath the chin can be difficult to resolve with diet and exercise alone.
Many people also experience muscle looseness and sagging, which is the result of muscle tone loss. This is common but can be a major factor in developing a turkey neck.
When Do People Usually Start Noticing a Turkey Neck?
It’s impossible to generalize the “average age” of developing a turkey neck. One person might start to see soft skin collect on their neck in their 40s, while another might not notice any changes until they’re in their 50s or 60s. It’s a gradual process that typically gets worse over time.
It’s important to realize that people age at different rates. Someone who protects their skin from the sun, eats a healthy diet, and doesn’t smoke will generally see less neck aging than people who do not maintain a healthy lifestyle. It’s also important to maintain neck muscle tone as you get older and to include your neck and chest skin in your facial skincare routine.
Ulthera: Improve Sagging Skin Non-Surgically
You don’t necessarily need surgery to improve the look of your neck. The best way to reverse a turkey neck appearance is to encourage the body to create more collagen with a non-surgical neck lift treatment like Ulthera.
Ulthera, or Ultherapy, is a non-invasive treatment that uses ultrasound energy to stimulate tissues deep within the skin. During the treatment, neck and/or facial tissues are targeted with ultrasound technology in order to boost the body’s own healing abilities. The treatment doesn’t harm surrounding tissues and the skin gradually begins to tighten on its own after the session.
Ultherapy is safe and gentle, requiring no anesthesia and no downtime. It won’t fix severe skin sagging, but is very effective for people with mild to moderate turkey neck symptoms. The results will appear in the weeks and months following the treatment, yielding firmer, tighter skin and a more youthful appearance.
CoolSculpting For That Double Chin
Since sagging skin usually isn’t the only factor involved in developing a turkey neck, many people need a combination of procedures to reach their goals. For stubborn fat under the chin, CoolSculpting can be the ideal solution.
CoolSculpting is a popular non-surgical fat reduction treatment that uses cold temperatures to freeze and destroy fat cells. Using the smaller CoolMini attachment, patients can eliminate a double chin without the need for liposuction.
The procedure is very comfortable and requires no downtime. Although the procedure won’t eliminate all the fat cells in the treated area, one CoolSculpting session can reduce unwanted fat by about 25%. Most patients see the results of their CoolSculpting treatment within about 3 months.
Severe Turkey Neck? Consider Surgery
In some cases, non-surgical treatments simply won’t be enough to correct a patient’s cosmetic concerns. If you are experiencing severe sagging skin or loose neck muscles, then you may want to consider a surgical treatment instead. Neck lift surgery can be extremely effective and long-lasting, contouring the neck for a much more youthful appearance.
It’s important to discuss your options and candidacy with an experienced plastic surgeon if you think you might need surgery. Choose a board-certified surgeon who will walk you through the process and design a treatment plan just for you.
Create a Turkey Wattle Treatment Plan
If you’re interested in learning more about your non-surgical options for treating a turkey neck, then you should start by scheduling a consultation with an expert aesthetician or plastic surgeon. At Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique, we offer Ulthera Lift and CoolSculpting in our beautiful Houston Facility. Dr. Paul Vitenas, who oversees Mirror Mirror, can consult with patients who are interested in surgical options.
To schedule a consultation at Mirror Mirror in Houston, TX, call (281) 810-9083 today!