How Can I Get Rid Of My Turkey Neck?

Gobble, gobble! Nope, it’s not Thanksgiving. We’re talking turkey necks, a classic sign of aging. Though they are mainly caused by the natural aging process and exposure to the sun, genetics and other factors also play a role. As we get older, the skin on the neck becomes drier, thinner, and less elastic. Simultaneously, our muscles along the front of the neck tend to stretch out and become laxer. Those who are also overweight are more susceptible to turkey necks – any excess weight can migrate from the facial tissue into the lower jaw and under the chin, which all works together to create a turkey neck.

Let’s Talk Turkey

Turkey necks are preventable to a certain extent, and there are a few ways to avoid developing a turkey neck besides taking the usual precautions against aging:

• Try to maintain a healthy, stable weight
• Always wear sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure
• Drink lots of water
• Follow a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables
• Avoid smoking and alcohol
• Do neck and facial exercises

If you are already displaying signs of a turkey neck, or if you are genetically predisposed to the condition, there’s not a lot of you can do to prevent it or lessen its appearance. Traditionally, the only option for getting rid of a turkey neck was to have invasive plastic surgery requiring up to a month of recovery time. Luckily times have changed. There are now a few non-invasive cosmetic procedures on the market that significantly reduce the appearance of turkey necks. Botox and Thermage are two of them.

Botox For Turkey Neck

Botox is a revolutionary prescription medication that improves moderate to severe frown lines, forehead furrows, smoker’s lines, and crow’s feet. But did you know it can also reduce the appearance of turkey necks? It can make an aging neck look more youthful.

The new Nefertiti Lift is a fifteen-minute procedure that involves up to forty tiny injections of Botox into the neck and lower jaw. Turkey necks form when the platysma, a thin fan of muscle that spreads from the chest up the neck to the jaw, separates into rope-like bands. Botox relaxes some of those bands as well as the muscle, creating a firmer jaw and smoother neck. How does Botox relax the muscles exactly?

To put it more simply, Botox injections temporarily relax the facial muscles that underlie and cause wrinkles.

Botox is a neurotoxin that works by attaching itself to nerve endings. Once this happens, the neurotransmitter responsible for triggering muscle contractions, called acetylcholine, can’t be released. To put it more simply, Botox injections temporarily relax the facial muscles that underlie and cause wrinkles. This is also why wrinkles caused by sun damage and gravity don’t respond to Botox treatments.

What can you expect during your first Botox procedure? You’ll generally receive a consultation beforehand to determine the best treatment for your needs. And when you do undergo treatment, a topical numbing gel will be applied fifteen minutes prior. Six to eight injections will be administered into the underlying muscles. Most people say that the injections feel similar to getting vaccinated – that is, they feel only a few seconds of mild discomfort as the Botox enters the injection site. A few hours afterward, the injection site may look red and feel irritated.

Immediately following the injections, you’ll be required to contract the treated muscles. Your physician will ask you to frown, raise your eyebrows and smile, and pucker your lips. It sounds silly, but this helps to evenly distribute the Botox throughout the injection site. Your physician will also tell you to refrain from exercising, bending over, lying down, or rubbing the area for the first 24-48 hours after treatment. This ensures that the Botox settles in the right place and doesn’t migrate elsewhere.

Botox offers real, noticeable results. Since Botox works by weakening facial muscles, full results are generally seen within five to seven days. You’ll see your turkey neck gradually improve over time – and you’ll even see results shortly after treatment. These results will continue to improve, until about two weeks after the procedure. At that time, you’ll be looking your best. The effects of Botox will gradually wear off over the next four to six months, and your neck and jaw area will need to retreat.

 Thermage

As we age, phrases like “turkey neck” and “what happened to my jawline?” creep in. Thermage can help reverse these classic signs of aging. Thermage is a proven, unique radiofrequency treatment that can help improve the appearance of sagging or loose skin, giving you a smoother, sleeker, and younger look and feel. Thermage works in just one treatment with little downtime and delivers a natural-looking result.

Thermage works from the inside out. It transfers heat to the epidermis, which not only encourages collagen production but also tightens existing collagen. Thermage effects this partly through radio frequency technology, which produces electrical currents that cause collagen within the skin to contract and gradually reform. This is why most individuals experience dramatic tightening and smoothing of the skin over the six months following treatment. Since the outer layers of the skin are unaffected, there is almost no recovery time involved. The most amazing thing of all? Results from a single Thermage treatment tend to last up to ten years! With each radiofrequency pulse—which only lasts a few seconds—collagen in the deeper layers of the dermis is heated just enough to trigger substantial remodeling and regrowth.

Thermage treatments fit easily into even the most hectic lifestyles. Depending on the area being treated, a Thermage procedure can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours. Prior to the procedure, a physician will usually administer local anesthesia, as well as oral pain medication to ease any discomfort. During the actual Thermage procedure, patients typically experience an alternation of cooling and heating sensations as the Thermage device penetrates the skin’s deeper layers. The physician will usually monitor the heat intensity to maintain comfort levels. With each radiofrequency pulse—which only lasts a few seconds—collagen in the deeper layers of the dermis is heated just enough to trigger substantial remodeling and regrowth. To prevent damage, the skin’s surface is also simultaneously cooled using an integrated cooling system.

Thermage won’t keep you down for long. You might experience minor swelling, redness, peeling, blisters, bumps or dimpling immediately following treatment. Most of these side effects are rare, and usually subside within 24 hours. Though there are no specific aftercare instructions to follow, patients should use regularly a high-SPF sunscreen.

Science supports Thermage’s impressive results. In clinical trials, participants experienced significant improvement in skin tonicity and laxity. Recently published studies also show that improvements continue for at least six months after a single Thermage treatment session. Other studies show that thermal collagen changes can last several years, depending on the rate of the aging process. You’ll need only one Thermage treatment to reap all the benefits of its innovative technology. During the several months following treatment, you’ll see dramatically tighter, firmer, and smoother skin.

Save Turkey for Thanksgiving

Say goodbye to gobble, gobble, and hello to a more defined neckline. With either Botox or Thermage treatments, you’ll never have to hide behind turtlenecks and bulky necklaces ever again!

Need help tightening your turkey neck? Then visit your local LaserAway. LaserAway is proud to offer the most medical spa service options of any national skincare provider. Want to learn more? Then schedule a free, no-obligation consultation today by emailing LaserAway.com or calling the staff at LaserAway at (888) 965-2737.