Turkey Neck Treatment in Atlanta, GATightening Loose Neck Skin Without Surgery

Firmer, smoother neck skin through non-surgical care matched to your skin and goals.

Common In:
Adults from their forties on, women and men, every skin tone
Primary Causes:
Collagen loss, sun damage, weight changes and prominent platysma muscle bands
Treatment Time:
About 20 minutes for EMFACE; 30 to 60 minutes for laser resurfacing
Results:
Build gradually over about 3 to 6 months; individual results vary
Woman in her fifties showing a smooth, firm neck and jawline after turkey neck treatment in Atlanta, GA
Close-up of an adult neck showing loose skin and faint vertical bands before turkey neck treatment in Atlanta

What Is Turkey Neck?

Loose Skin, Bands and Texture

Turkey neck is the everyday name for loose, sagging skin at the front of the neck. It usually combines three changes: skin that has lost collagen and elasticity, vertical cords called platysmal bands that become visible as the thin neck muscle separates and tightens, and a crepey, finely wrinkled surface from years of sun. Some people also carry fullness under the chin, which deepens the shadow between jaw and neck.

Neck aging shows up on every skin tone, though the first signs can differ. Lighter skin often shows fine crepey lines, redness and brown spots early, while deeper skin tones may keep smoother texture longer and show laxity, horizontal neck lines or uneven pigment first. Because deeper skin tones are more prone to dark marks after heat, laser settings and aftercare are planned carefully for each patient.

Turkey neck treatment works best when it matches the main problem: laxity, bands, surface texture, or a combination. Browse our complete list of conditions we treat for related face and neck concerns.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD. Last updated: October 2026.

Why Neck Skin Loosens

Collagen, Muscle and Sun

01The Science

Neck skin is thinner than facial skin and has fewer oil glands, so it shows aging early and heals more slowly. As collagen and elastin decline, skin stretches and stops springing back, a process the MedlinePlus guide to aging skin changes describes in detail. The platysma, a thin sheet of muscle under the skin, can separate at the midline and form the vertical cords many people notice in photos.

Two treatments address different layers. EMFACE radiofrequency and muscle stimulation heats deeper tissue to prompt new collagen and tones the muscles that support the jaw and chin, with no downtime. For crepey texture and sun damage, fractional erbium laser resurfacing for the neck removes damaged surface skin in tiny columns so smoother, firmer skin can form, usually with a few days of peeling.

Neck changes often travel with the lower face. A softening jaw edge is covered in our page on jowls and jawline sagging, and fullness under the chin in our guide to non-surgical double chin reduction.

02Diagnosis at SOCAH

How We Assess Your Neck

Finding the Main Driver

Your consultation includes an exam of the neck at rest and while you clench your jaw, which makes platysmal bands easier to see. We gently pinch the skin to gauge laxity, check texture, sun damage and pigment under good light, and take standardized photos from the front and side. We also look at the chin and jawline, since fullness above the neck changes how the whole area reads.

For laxity and early sagging, EMFACE is typically the first step. For crepey texture, brown spots and fine lines, erbium resurfacing adds surface renewal. Prominent bands may also respond to neurotoxin injections, which can be discussed with our physician-supervised Botox team. When skin hangs in heavy folds, we will tell you honestly that a surgical neck lift may give a result non-surgical care cannot.

Cost depends on which treatments your plan includes and how many sessions you need, and exact pricing is discussed at your consultation. Flexible financing through CareCredit and Cherry can help you plan.

What Causes Turkey Neck?

Loose neck skin usually reflects several of these factors working together.

  1. 01Collagen DeclineSkin produces less collagen and elastin each decade, so it stretches and sags.
  2. 02Sun ExposureYears of UV light break down collagen and leave crepey texture and uneven pigment.
  3. 03Platysma BandsThe thin neck muscle can separate and tighten into visible vertical cords.
  4. 04Weight ChangesGaining and losing weight stretches neck skin, which may not fully retract.
  5. 05GeneticsInherited skin thickness and jaw shape influence how early the neck shows age.
  6. 06Posture HabitsFrequent looking down at screens may deepen horizontal neck creases over time.
Bright treatment room at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA, set up for EMFACE and laser neck rejuvenation sessions

Why Choose SOCAH Center for Turkey Neck Care in Atlanta, GA

Neck plans at SOCAH Center are overseen by Dr. Nikki D. Hill, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, so devices and lasers are chosen for your skin rather than a package. Patients visit from Atlanta, Dunwoody, Chamblee and Decatur for neck care that looks natural.

Layered Planning
Laxity, bands and texture are each matched to the treatment that fits them.
Every Skin Tone
Laser settings and aftercare are calibrated to lower the risk of dark marks.
Honest Limits
If surgery would serve you better, you will hear that from us directly.
Dermatologist Oversight
Every device and laser treatment runs under physician supervision.
Comparison of EMFACE and erbium laser options for turkey neck treatment at SOCAH Center in Atlanta, GA

Turkey Neck Treatment Options at SOCAH Center

Many patients combine options. Your plan depends on how much laxity, banding and surface damage you have.

TreatmentProtocolBest ForDowntimeResults Timeline
Skin Tightening with EMFACESubmentum and lower-face applicatorsMild to moderate laxity at the chin-neck angleNoneBuilds over about 3 months
Skin Tightening with EMFACEMaintenance sessionsKeeping firmness as aging continuesNoneSustains earlier improvement
Laser Skin ResurfacingFractional erbium on the neckCrepey texture, fine lines and sun damageTypically a few days of peelingImproves over 3 to 6 months
Laser Skin ResurfacingCombined with EMFACELaxity plus surface damageA few days after laser sessionsGradual over several months

Signs You Have Turkey Neck

These signs suggest neck laxity that may respond to non-surgical care. Daily sun protection advice from the American Academy of Dermatology helps protect any result you achieve.

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  • Loose Skin Under the Jaw

    Skin hangs or folds below the jawline, especially when you look down.

  • Vertical Neck Cords

    Two bands run down the front of the neck and stand out when you clench or speak.

  • Crepey Texture

    The neck surface looks thin and finely wrinkled, like crepe paper.

  • Horizontal Neck Lines

    Rings across the neck deepen and stay visible when your head is level.

  • Uneven Tone

    Brown spots, redness or patchy pigment collect on the neck and upper chest.

  • A Softer Neck Angle

    The line from chin to neck looks rounder in profile than it used to.

Related Treatment

Skin Tightening with EMFACE

Lift, firm and tone the face and jawline with no needles, no toxins and no downtime.

  1. Skin and Muscle
  2. No Needles
  3. No Downtime
Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get rid of turkey neck without surgery?
Non-surgical turkey neck treatment combines approaches that firm deeper tissue and renew the surface. EMFACE uses radiofrequency and muscle stimulation to build collagen and tone, and erbium laser resurfacing smooths crepey, sun-damaged skin. Mild to moderate laxity responds best, while heavy folds may need a surgical opinion.
Is there downtime after turkey neck treatment?
It depends on the treatment. EMFACE has no downtime, so you can return to work right away. Laser resurfacing on the neck typically brings a few days of redness and light peeling, and we plan sessions around your schedule and give clear aftercare instructions, including strict sun protection while skin heals.
When will I see results on my neck?
Results build gradually because they depend on new collagen. Many patients notice firmer skin a few weeks into an EMFACE series, with the fullest change about three months after the last session. Laser resurfacing smooths texture within weeks and keeps improving for three to six months. Individual results vary.
Is laser treatment for the neck safe for darker skin?
Yes, with the right settings and preparation. Skin of color has a higher risk of dark marks after heat, so we use conservative erbium settings, may prepare the skin beforehand and insist on careful sun protection. EMFACE does not target pigment, which makes it a low-risk option for every skin tone.
Can turkey neck treatment fix neck bands?
It can help, though bands often need their own approach. EMFACE firms the surrounding tissue, but prominent vertical cords are usually softened most directly by neurotoxin injections into the platysma muscle. Your provider explains whether bands, loose skin or texture is your main concern and plans accordingly.
How much does turkey neck treatment cost in Atlanta?
The cost depends on which treatments you need and how many sessions your plan includes. Exact pricing is discussed at your consultation after we examine your neck. Cosmetic neck treatments are self-pay, and CareCredit and Cherry financing can spread the cost over time.
Do men get treatment for turkey neck?
Yes, men are a growing share of our neck patients. Many notice loose skin above the collar or a softer jawline in photos. Treatments and aftercare are the same, and your provider will explain how to prepare beard areas before EMFACE applicators or laser sessions.
Location2296 Henderson Mill Rd, Suite 300Atlanta, GA, 30345
Emailinfo@socahcenter.com
Phone(404) 474-2301

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Scientific References

  1. Austin et al., Lasers Surg Med. (2022). Evaluating the effectiveness and safety of radiofrequency for face and neck rejuvenation: A systematic review. PMID: 34923652.
  2. Gentile et al., Facial Plast Surg Clin North Am. (2018). Radiofrequency Technology in Face and Neck Rejuvenation. PMID: 29636146.
  3. Amori et al., Dermatol Ther. (2020). Advanced fractional radiofrequency for the rejuvenation of face, neck, and décolleté. PMID: 32283568.
  4. DiBernardo et al., Aesthet Surg J. (2025). High-Intensity Focused Electrical Stimulation and Sync Radiofrequency+ Technology for Submental Volume Reduction: An MRI Study. PMID: 40179240.
  5. Pozner et al., Clin Plast Surg. (2016). Laser Resurfacing: Full Field and Fractional. PMID: 27363765.