Aside from being generally overweight or genetic, another common cause is aging. There is a large muscle in the neck called the
Botox, dermal fillers, and fractional laser treatments are among the most popular non-surgical treatments for addressing neck aging. Botox injections can help reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the neck while dermal fillers are ideal for adding volume to sagging skin and smoothing out crepey areas.
A thicker neck – larger than 17 inches for men and 15.5 inches for women – usually means a narrower airway, especially when lying down. That's because there is likely more fat tissue at the base of the tongue and lining the airway.
Yes, even people who are at their ideal weight can suffer with face and neck fat. The causes for this can be anything from water retention to more serious causes such as hormonal, thyroid or gland problems. Or, it could simply be genetic, some people are genetically predisposed to the appearance of neck fat.
Aging Neck
Excess fat is also a common issue and can be considered age-related because in many cases the development of these fat deposits is the result of hormonal changes in the body.
“Turkey neck” happens when the neck muscles begin to weaken and the skin loses elasticity. The loose skin can become droopy and wrinkled, drawing unflattering comparisons to the neck of a turkey. Age and sun exposure are the main culprits of sagging skin.
Madelung's disease is a rare disorder of fat metabolism (lipid storage) that results in an unusual accumulation of subcutaneous fat (adipose tissue) deposits around the neck, shoulders, trunk, hips, upper arms and thighs. The fat masses can progress quickly over months or slowly over years.
People are prone to carrying their weight in certain areas of their bodies. Some of us carry extra fat around our waistline, while others instantly gain weight in their thighs. If you have a double chin despite being skinny, your body just happens to genetically store extra fat around the jawline.
Cervical Retractions
Gently retract your chin backward, creating a double chin. Hold briefly and release back to the starting position. This helps improve head and neck alignment which can help make a significant improvement in dowager's hump before and after.
Several factors may lead to aging of the neck, including thin skin, sun exposure, and insufficient skin care.
Losing neck fat is a process that can often be kickstarted by adopting healthy lifestyle changes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that neck and chin exercises can help us to minimise layers of neck fat, while exercise and a healthy diet can help us to lose weight around this area.
Turner syndrome, a condition that affects only females, results when one of the X chromosomes (sex chromosomes) is missing or partially missing. Turner syndrome can cause a variety of medical and developmental problems, including short height, failure of the ovaries to develop and heart defects.
Having a double chin even when you're skinny is mainly due to your genetic predisposition to store excess fat specifically in the area around the jawline.
A well-established name in non-surgical lifting, Ultherapy® continues to be a go-to option in 2025. This FDA-cleared treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin. Benefits of Ultherapy include: Lasts 60-90 minutes.
Other reasons why you may be noticing a turkey neck more than usual can be due to alcohol intake, smoking, stress and poor nutrition. Turkey neck is effectively reduced with radiofrequency treatment and other aesthetic procedures.
Turkey neck is a common concern as we age, but it doesn't have to be a permanent one. While neck surgery may be an option for you, by incorporating targeted exercises, a good skincare routine, and healthy lifestyle choices, you can effectively tighten and tone your neck naturally.
"An aged neck has less plump soft tissue covering the neck muscles. Wrinkles are formed by chronic muscle contraction and are amplified by sun damage and environmental influences." In addition to the usual suspects, people sometimes forget or neglect the skin on the neck.
Neck circumference was significantly higher when participants had any one of the following: high blood pressure, diabetes, and dyslipidaemia. Higher neck circumference was correlated with lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the good type of cholesterol.