The aging process isn't for the faint of heart. It often leads to wrinkles and loose skin and can cause you anxiety about your appearance. Even if you care for your skin, you can't fight off the hands of time, which causes less collagen and elastin production and leads to loose or saggy skin.
The dreaded turkey neck happens over time as the excess skin around your neck begins to sag. While some people are okay living with droopy neck skin, you don't have to.
At Breast, Body, Beauty Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Aisha Baron and our team provide nonsurgical and surgical options for a bothersome sagging neck.
Dr. Baron is an experienced plastic and reconstructive surgeon who provides various treatments for each patient's needs.
Turkey neck is a term for sagging skin under your chin and around your neck. It's a common sign of skin aging, but you don’t have to live with it. If you notice some neck sagging, you can try the following exercises to strengthen your neck muscles and improve the appearance of mildly sagging skin:
The kiss exercise is as simple as it sounds. Sit with your back straight and angle your chin up toward the ceiling. Purse your lips like you're kissing someone, then relax. Repeat the exercise 20 times per day.
The chewing exercise is another excellent way to improve the skin around your neck area. Sit up straight and point your chin upward while keeping your mouth closed. Pretend you're chewing with your mouth closed and repeat 20 times a day.
The forehead push involves strengthening your neck to tighten the skin. Place one hand on your forehead and push your head forward without letting go or allowing your hand to move. Hold the position for ten seconds, then relax.
Next, move your hand to the back of your head and do the same thing, pushing your head into your hand without letting it move. Hold for ten seconds and relax. Repeat each exercise several times a day.
The neck lift exercise works the muscles around your neck to improve skin elasticity. Lay back on the bed, allowing your head to hang over the side. Carefully and slowly lift your neck as high as possible, then lower it back down. Don't do this exercise if it causes neck pain.
Exercise alone is only sometimes successful, especially when you have a lot of sagging skin. Although it may prevent the sagging from worsening, minimally invasive treatments may be required for your desired results.
Dr. Baron provides several minimally invasive procedures to restore skin tightness around your neck, including:
FaceTite utilizes radiofrequency energy to contour your skin and tissue and reduce fat around your neck and jowls. You can have the FaceTite procedure if you have neck sagging that exercises haven't corrected. You may see noticeable results with a single FaceTite treatment.
AccuTite is similar to FaceTite because it's a minimally invasive radiofrequency energy procedure. It provides immaculate contouring to challenging treatment areas, including your neck and jowls. You can see results after one treatment, although multiple treatments may be necessary for more severe skin sagging.
Sometimes, exercises and minimally invasive procedures aren't enough to alleviate neck sagging. If you've tried less invasive treatments or have a significant amount of sagging skin or fat around your neck, you may benefit from surgery.
Dr. Baron offers several types of neck surgery to decrease sagging skin, including the following:
Neck lift surgery is an invasive option for tightening the skin around your neck by lifting your platysma muscle. Your platysma muscle stretches from your lower chin to your collarbone. It weakens over time, causing sagging skin and a turkey neck.
A neck lift is less invasive than a facelift. Dr. Baron specifically targets that muscle to create a tighter, smoother appearance on your neck.
If you have excess, sagging fat around your neck, Dr. Baron can perform liposuction to remove the unwanted fat and follow it with the FaceTite or AccuTite procedure to firm up your skin.
Dr. Baron may also recommend body contouring after significant weight loss to reshape your neck and jowls for a tighter, more aesthetic appearance. Her recommended treatment depends on the severity of your sagging as well as your goals.
To schedule your neck treatment appointment or to learn more, contact our team by phone or request a consultation online today.
