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What is a Turkey Neck?
Turkey neck is a term that describes the sagging of the neck skin and is associated with aging skin. The neck muscles become weak, leading to the loss of elasticity of the skin. The loss of elasticity means that neck skin cannot stretch and has also lost its ability to remain tight.
The skin of the neck is thin and prone to aging. The two main signs and symptoms of aging are turkey neck and crepey neck. This piece will focus mainly on Turkey neck, how to get rid of it, and the effectiveness of neck creams in the elimination of turkey neck.
What Is A Crepey Neck Skin?
A crepey skin is a condition that affects the neck. It makes the skin look rough and crinkly. In appearance, the neck will have the same texture as the elbow or the ankle.
A turkey neck, on the other hand, affects the underlying musculature of the neck. As earlier mentioned. The neck muscles become weak, leading to the loss of elasticity of the skin. The causes the neck skin to lose its ability to stretch, and also to remain tight.
Although these conditions seem to be unavoidable, as it is associated with aging, there are some steps people can take to prevent the development of these conditions
Causes Of Turkey Neck
The causes of turkey neck can be divided into four parts. These include the following:
- The loss of skin elasticity: It’s a natural phenomenon for humans to lose their regenerative ability as they age. This includes the ability of our tissues, to repair and rejuvenate, especially after an injury. This is more evident in the skin tissue. One of the major components of the skin is the collagen. This is a protein material that can be found in the middle layer of the skin, also known as the dermis. The dermis supports the tissues that are above it. However, the production level of collagen in the body reduces as one ages. In addition to this, the existing collagen is also prone to breaking down. This can be due to aging, but the lack of materials such as vitamins and minerals could also be a cause. The lack of exposure to sunlight could also lead to the rapid breakdown of the skin, thereby leading to the loss of skin elasticity.
- Muscle tightness: The muscles of the neck can become weak over time, due to lack of use, or just over time. The more the muscles weaken, the less they are able to support the skin that is attached to them. This implies that the skin won’t be pulled back into place as readily as it was before. Although the muscles may not feel any different, they would look saggy.
- More fat in the neck region: Some people are naturally prone to having a more fat deposition in their neck. This is one of the causes of turkey neck. This excess fat can cause the skin to stretch and result in the folds that resemble the turkey’s wattle. A healthy diet, exercise, and slowly losing weight can help decrease these fat deposits and tighten the skin on your neck. Out of all these methods, changing your diet will go a long way in losing some fat around the neck, and staying healthy.
- The position of the bones: The positions of the various bones in the neck, such as the hyoid can have an effect on the skin underneath the chin. For example, this occurs when the hyoid bone is set back away from the front of the neck. As a result, the skin is pulled back into more of a square (ninety-degree) angle. This also occurs when the hyoid bone is set forward. This, in turn, pushes the skin into a more rounded shape. That forward-set hyoid and the flatter, more rounded neck can make your neck skin more susceptible to gravity and the looseness that comes with age and a decrease in muscle tightness.
How To Eliminate Turkey Neck?
Getting rid of a turkey neck can be quite challenging, especially when it comes to eliminating a saggy neck. There are many factors stacked against you. However, there are ways to prevent and treat the loose skin that results in turkey neck. This section of the article will focus on the ways of treating this condition.
- Exercise
- Cleansers & Serums
- Healthy lifestyle habits
- Surgery
- Exercise
Exercise works to strengthen the underlying muscles of your neck, while cleansers and serums hydrate and rejuvenate the surface skin of your neck. Healthy lifestyle habits can go a long way toward ensuring youthful, radiant skin. And surgery is a more invasive option that tones and smooths both the surface skin and the muscles underneath. There’s an exercise for everything these days, and your neck is no exception. Here are four simple exercises you can perform anywhere, anytime to give your skin a firmer, more youthful appearance.
- Chewing: One way to work the muscles in your neck is by just chewing more. Simply sit up straight, close your lips, and tilt your chin towards the ceiling. Then slowly move your teeth together and apart as if you were chewing a piece of gum. Keeping your lips together, complete 20 chews once a week to strengthen the muscles of the neck.
- Raise: Lie comfortably on your back. Gently raise your head and neck away from the floor. When your head is slightly away from the floor, turn it to the right, back to center, to the left, back to center, and then lower to the floor. That’s one repetition. Work up to 10 or more repetitions once a week for best results. Be sure to keep the movements small and controlled, and don’t jerk your neck in any direction.
How Effective Are Neck Creams In The Treatment Of Turkey Neck?
Neck creams can be effective in hydrating the skin and possibly slow down the aging process. However, the main cause of saggy neck is the muscles. Exercise, change in diet are some of the ways of eliminating this condition.
If you are in need of help with treating or preventing the dreaded turkey neck, consider consulting your dermatologist for the latest and most effective treatment options.
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References
Beauty, S. (2018). How To Get Rid Of Turkey Neck For Good. [online] SIO Beauty. Available at: https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/how-to-get-rid-of-turkey-neck [Accessed 1 Jul. 2018].
Challis, C. (2018). How to get rid of a turkey neck without surgery – in four easy steps. [online] BT.com. Available at: http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/skincare/how-to-get-rid-of-a-turkey-neck-without-surgery-in-four-easy-steps-11363860646339 [Accessed 1 Jul. 2018].
Healthline. (2018). Turkey Neck: Exercises, Cosmetics, and Surgeries. [online] Available at https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/turkey-neck [Accessed 1 Jul. 2018].
