Turkey Neck: Why the Neck Ages First — And How We Tighten, Sculpt, and Rebuild It

“Turkey neck.” Most people know exactly what that means the second they hear it. Loose skin under the chin, softening along the jawline, horizontal neck lines, and that soft pouch that shows up in photos long before we feel “old.”

At Devenir Aesthetics, we see this constantly: patients who feel like their face still looks relatively young, but their neck tells a different story.

The good news? We now have non-surgical tools that can target the three main drivers of “turkey neck”:

• Skin laxity

• Localized fat under the chin and along the neck

• Collagen loss and weakened tissue support

Using RF microneedling, Kybella, Zaffiro, and Sectum, we can build a strategic plan to tighten, contour, and improve the overall quality of the neck—without jumping straight to surgery.

And yes: winter is the best time to start, so your results are ready by summer.

What Exactly Is “Turkey Neck”?

“Turkey neck” isn’t a diagnosis; it’s a shorthand for a collection of age-related changes:

• Thinning, lax skin from collagen and elastin loss

• Crepey texture and horizontal lines caused by repetitive motion and sun damage

• Fullness under the chin from submental fat

• Softening along the jawline as ligaments and support structures weaken

The neck has fewer oil glands, thinner skin, and high sun exposure, which makes it age faster than other areas.

Because there isn't a lot of “extra space” anatomically, even subtle changes in fat or collagen can dramatically change the profile.

That’s why we approach it as a multi-layer problem: skin, fat, and structural support—each requiring different tools.

Why Winter Is the Ideal Season for Neck Work

Winter is the smart season for serious neck work:

• Less sun exposure = lower risk of pigment changes after energy-based treatments

• Cooler weather = easier to hide redness or swelling under scarves, turtlenecks, or jackets

• You have time to complete a full treatment series and let collagen

  remodel before spring and summer hit

By starting in the winter, your neck has months to rebuild collagen, tighten, and refine. By the time everyone else notices their neck in summer photos, you’re already ahead.

RF Microneedling: Collagen Remodeling for Crepey, Sagging Neck Skin

RF microneedling combines two technologies:

1. Microneedling – creates controlled micro-injuries that stimulate fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin, improving texture and firmness.

2. Radiofrequency energy – delivers heat into the deeper dermis to tighten collagen fibers and accelerate remodeling, particularly effective for skin laxity and wrinkles.

Clinical work has shown RF microneedling can improve neck laxity, wrinkles, and texture when performed with appropriate devices and protocols.

What It Does for Turkey Neck

On the neck, RF microneedling can help:

• Tighten loose, crepey skin

• Soften fine horizontal “necklace” lines

• Improve overall texture and firmness

• Create a smoother transition between chin, jaw, and neck

Important Safety Note

RF microneedling is a medical procedure, not a spa facial. The FDA has recently highlighted potential risks—including burns, scarring, fat loss, and nerve injury—when devices are misused or performed by unqualified users.

At Devenir Aesthetics, these treatments are performed only by trained medical professionals using medical-grade devices, with careful screening and conservative protocols to prioritize safety as much as results.

Kybella: Targeting the “Turkey Wattle” (Submental Fat)

Some patients have great skin quality—but still see a bulge under the chin that makes the neck look heavier or older. That’s where Kybella® (deoxycholic acid) comes in.

Kybella is an FDA-approved injectable specifically indicated to improve the appearance of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat)—what most people call a “double chin.”

It works by using a synthetic form of a naturally occurring bile acid that disrupts fat cell membranes. Once those fat cells are destroyed, they can’t store fat again.

What It Does for Turkey Neck

In carefully selected patients, Kybella can:

• Reduce the fullness right under the chin

• Sharpen the jawline and cervical angle

• Make the neck appear slimmer and more defined

However, there are important boundaries:

• Kybella is studied and approved only for submental fat. Its use outside that area (e.g., along the entire neck) has not been established for safety or efficacy.

• It requires multiple sessions spaced about a month apart.

• There can be swelling, numbness, and temporary hardness in the area as the fat breaks down.

Kybella isn’t the right choice for everyone—especially patients who may need or want a surgical neck lift later. That’s why we evaluate history, anatomy, and long-term plans before recommending it.

Zaffiro: Infrared Thermolifting and Hydro-Exfoliation for Neck Tightening

Zaffiro (often spelled Zaffiro/Zafiro) is a non-invasive device that combines:

• Near-infrared thermo-lifting – controlled infrared energy that heats deeper skin layers, triggering collagen contraction and new collagen production for visible tightening.

• Hydro-exfoliation / water peeling – a two-phase water and air stream that deeply cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin, improving texture and luminosity.

Zaffiro has been used for loose, thin skin on the neck and décolleté, helping to improve firmness, texture, and fine lines.

What It Does for Turkey Neck

On the neck, Zaffiro can:

• Tighten mild-to-moderate laxity

• Smooth crepey texture and fine lines

• Improve overall skin quality and brightness

It’s comfortable, non-invasive, and typically requires no downtime, making it an excellent option for patients who want visible tightening without needles or injectables.

Sectum: RF Body Sculpting and Neck Firming

Sectum is a multipurpose radiofrequency (RF) device that delivers controlled RF energy through dedicated face and body applicators. It’s designed for:

• Skin thickening and firming

• Body sculpting and silhouette shaping

• Improved circulation and oxygenation of tissues

By heating deeper layers of tissue, Sectum stimulates fibroblasts to produce new collagen and elastin, firming and tightening the treated area over time.

Several clinics also use Sectum protocols for body contouring and localized fat smoothing, noting improved tone and more defined silhouettes as metabolic processes in the tissue increase.

What It Does for Turkey Neck

On the lower face and neck, Sectum can help:

• Tighten and lift lax skin along the jawline and neck

• Improve the appearance of early jowling

• Enhance overall contour and skin tone

It’s non-invasive, with minimal downtime, and works well as part of a layered protocol with RF microneedling or Zaffiro for more comprehensive neck rejuvenation.

Why Combination Therapy Works Best

“Turkey neck” is rarely just a skin issue or just a fat issue. It’s usually a combination of:

• Thinning skin

• Localized fat under the chin

• Collagen and elastin loss

• Long-term sun damage

Because of that, the best results often come from thoughtful combinations, for example:

• RF microneedling for deeper collagen remodeling and tightening

• Kybella for carefully selected patients with submental fullness

• Zaffiro for surface tightening and texture refinement

• Sectum for RF-based lifting, firming, and subtle contouring

Your provider at Devenir Aesthetics will evaluate:

• Skin thickness and quality

• Degree and location of fat

• Neck lines, banding, and laxity

• Long-term goals (e.g., non-surgical vs. eventually surgical)

Then we build a phased plan that respects anatomy, safety, and realism—so results are noticeable, but never artificial.

What to Expect When You Start Neck Treatments

Every patient is different, but you can expect:

• Consultation first. We review your medical history, medications, prior procedures, and long-term plans before recommending anything.

• Series, not a single session. Collagen and fat remodeling are biological processes. Most patients need multiple sessions over several weeks or months for optimal results.

• Gradual, progressive improvement. We’re rebuilding architecture, not just “tightening” the surface for a few days. Results typically evolve over 3–6+ months.

• Strict sun protection. Especially important on the neck after energy-based treatments to reduce the risk of pigmentation changes.

Bottom Line: You Don’t Have to Settle for a Neck That Ages Faster Than Your Face

Turkey neck is common, but it’s not untouchable. With the right combination of RF microneedling, Kybella, Zaffiro, and Sectum, we can:

• Tighten lax neck skin

• Reduce submental fullness in appropriate candidates

• Improve texture, lines, and overall quality

• Restore a more youthful transition from face to neck

Winter is the ideal time to start. Give your neck the months it needs to remodel, and let the real results show up by the time you’re back in sleeveless tops and open necklines.

Ready to Redefine Your Neckline?

Schedule a neck consultation at Devenir Aesthetics and let our team design a customized plan using advanced technologies like RF microneedling, Kybella, Zaffiro, and Sectum—tailored to your anatomy, your goals, and your timeline.

Your face isn’t the only thing people see.Your neck deserves the same level of attention.