Turkey neck: what causes it, and how to fix it
Turkey neck is loose skin and lax neck muscle under the jaw, often with fat and vertical bands, that blurs the line between the jaw and the neck. Mild laxity can respond to skin tightening, fat alone to neck liposuction, and loose skin with bands to a neck lift. At YOUNIFY Clinic, a Healthy Aging & Wellness Center based in Bangkok, Thailand, a neck lift starts from THB 188,000 and neck liposuction from THB 59,000 per area.
Last updated:
- 1 Skin
- 2 Platysma muscle bands
- 3 Fat under the chin
Key takeaways
- Turkey neck usually combines three things: loose skin, a lax platysma muscle (which can show as vertical bands) and fat under the chin.
- The right treatment depends on which of the three is the main problem, so assessment comes before any recommendation.
- Skin tightening suits mild laxity, neck liposuction suits fat with good skin, and a neck lift suits loose skin and bands.
- A neck lift at YOUNIFY Clinic starts from THB 188,000, a face and neck lift from THB 219,000, and neck liposuction from THB 59,000 per area.
What turkey neck is
"Turkey neck" is the everyday name for a neck that has lost its clean angle under the jaw. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes it as loss of skin tone and texture, a loose "turkey waddle", excess fat and loss of definition of the jawline, with excess skin over a loosening platysma, the thin sheet of muscle at the front of the neck. Cleveland Clinic describes the same three layers: skin, soft tissue and the neck muscles.
It helps to think of the neck in three layers, because each layer has its own fix:
| Layer | What you see | What usually helps |
|---|---|---|
| Skin | Crepey, loose skin that folds when you look down | Skin tightening for mild laxity; skin removal in a neck lift when it is marked |
| Muscle (platysma) | Two vertical bands from chin to collarbone, more visible when you clench | Tightening the muscle (platysmaplasty) as part of a neck lift |
| Fat | Fullness under the chin even when skin is firm | Neck liposuction, or fat removal during a neck lift |
What causes it
- Age. Skin loses collagen and elasticity, and the platysma loosens and separates at the midline.
- Weight change. Losing a lot of weight, including with GLP-1 medication or bariatric surgery, can leave loose skin behind. Read your face after weight loss.
- Genetics and anatomy. A low-set hyoid bone or a short chin makes the neck angle look softer at any age. A chin implant can be part of the plan for some people.
- Sun exposure and smoking, which speed up skin ageing.
Neck lifts are not only a concern for women. In the American Society of Plastic Surgeons' 2025 statistics, 27,315 neck lifts were performed in the United States, 21% more than in 2024, and about 13% of them were in men.
Which treatment for which neck
The useful question is "which layer is the problem". Your doctor looks at your neck at rest, looking down and with the jaw clenched, and pinches the skin to judge how much is loose and how much is fat.
| Your neck | Option | Starting from (THB) | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early laxity, good skin, little fat | Non-surgical skin tightening (microfocused ultrasound or radiofrequency) | See skin tightening options | Minimal |
| Fat under the chin, skin still firm | Neck liposuction | 59,000 per area | Confirmed at consultation |
| Fat with mild looseness | Liposuction with radiofrequency tightening under the skin (FaceTite) | 59,000 per area | Confirmed at consultation |
| Vertical bands that show mainly when the neck muscle tightens, with little loose skin | Botulinum toxin injections to relax the bands (temporary effect) | Price on assessment by a doctor | Minimal |
| Loose skin and visible bands | Neck lift (with platysmaplasty) | 188,000 | Confirmed at consultation |
| Neck and jowls together | Face and neck lift | 219,000 | Confirmed at consultation |
Your final price is confirmed in a written quotation before any deposit. For a side-by-side guide, read neck lift or neck liposuction.
What the evidence says
- Skin tightening. The US FDA cleared microfocused ultrasound (Ultherapy) in 2012 to lift lax submental (beneath the chin) and neck tissue. A 2025 systematic review of 42 studies in Aesthetic Surgery Journal found that 89% of patients were rated as improved by investigators, with no serious adverse events, while noting the need for more controlled trials. Results are milder than surgery and build over months.
- Neck lift with platysmaplasty. A 2026 systematic review in Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum (9 studies, 847 patients) found high patient-reported satisfaction with the neck after both open and closed platysma techniques, with complications described as uncommon and mild. Which technique suits you depends on your anatomy.
Results vary by individual.
Surgery and recovery in Bangkok
- Where: at a JCI- or AACI-accredited partner private hospital in Bangkok, with anaesthesia care and continuous monitoring throughout.
- Time in Bangkok: most international patients plan 10 to 14 days for a neck lift or face and neck lift, so that stitches can be reviewed before flying.
- Swelling and bruising: most visible in the first week; you wear a compression garment for a period your surgeon advises.
- Numbness: numbness under the chin and around the ears is common and usually temporary.
Read the neck lift recovery guide for a day-by-day view.
Who performs your surgery
Neck lifts and face and neck lifts are performed by one of the clinic's two board-certified plastic surgeons. Which surgeon operates is confirmed with you in writing before any deposit is taken.
Dr. Phattrapohn Liangcheep
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Diploma of the Thai Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
View full profile
Dr. Thanachot Kamolveerat
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Diploma of the Thai Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
View full profileA note from our medical team
Many people who ask for a neck lift turn out to need less, and some who ask for a "quick tightening" would see more change from surgery. We start by deciding which layer is the problem. If a smaller treatment will give you most of what you want, we will tell you.
Sources
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Say goodbye to turkey neck: reclaiming your neckline with plastic surgery. 2025.
- Cleveland Clinic. Turkey neck. 2023.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2025 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. 2026.
- Fiore et al. Platysmaplasty techniques: a systematic review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum. 2026.
- US FDA 510(k) K121700 (microfocused ultrasound, submental and neck). 2012.
- Amiri et al. Microfocused ultrasound: a systematic review. Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Which treatment works for turkey neck?
It depends on what is causing it. Fat alone often responds to neck liposuction, mild laxity to skin tightening, and loose skin with vertical bands to a neck lift. Your doctor confirms which applies to you after an assessment.
Can turkey neck be fixed without surgery?
Mild laxity can improve with non-surgical skin tightening, and fat can be reduced with liposuction, which is a minor procedure. Marked loose skin and visible bands usually need a neck lift for a lasting change.
How much does turkey neck surgery cost in Bangkok?
At YOUNIFY Clinic, a neck lift starts from THB 188,000, a face and neck lift from THB 219,000, and neck liposuction from THB 59,000 per area. Your price is confirmed in a written quotation before any deposit.
Do I need a neck lift or a full facelift?
If the jowls and lower face have also dropped, a combined face and neck lift usually gives a more balanced result than a neck lift alone. If the concern is mainly below the jawline, a neck lift may be enough.
How long does a neck lift last?
A neck lift changes the position of the muscle and removes loose skin, so the improvement is long-lasting, but the neck continues to age naturally.
Will there be scars?
Incisions are placed under the chin and around the ears, where they are usually hidden. How they heal varies between individuals.
How long should I stay in Bangkok?
Most international patients plan 10 to 14 days after a neck lift or face and neck lift. Your surgeon confirms when you may fly at your final review.
Does losing weight cause turkey neck?
Significant weight loss can leave loose skin in the neck and lower face. Planning treatment once your weight has been stable for a few months usually gives a more predictable result.
Is a neck lift suitable for men?
Yes. About 13% of neck lifts in the 2025 ASPS statistics were in men. Incision placement is planned around the beard line and hairline.
How do I begin?
Send photographs of your neck from the front, the side and looking slightly down on WhatsApp, which is answered 24 hours a day. A doctor reviews them with you by video.
YOUNIFY Clinic · 2nd Floor, Room 214, United Center Building, 323 Silom Road, Silom, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand · Near BTS Sala Daeng (5-min walk) · Open daily 11:00–20:00
WhatsApp +66 81 556 9696 · LINE @younifyclinic · Instagram @younifyclinicthailand · info [at] younifyclinic.com
Individual results may vary. Please consult a doctor before treatment.