34 - turkey neck from weight loss. What would be best for my sagging neck? (Photos)

Question

Due to weightloss i have developed a turkey neck quite quickly. Im only 34 and definitely dont feel i should have this level of sagging yet at least. would a fully ablative Co2 laser be a good procedure to help?

Kally Papantoniou, MD, FAAD · Answer

CO2 can help with skin texture and some tightening, but it won’t fully address looser, hanging skin on the neck.

For weight loss–related laxity, you’re usually looking at treatments that stimulate deeper tightening, like ultrasound-based devices or collagen remodeling lasers, sometimes in combination. If the laxity is more significant, surgery is the only option that truly removes excess skin.

This is one where an in-person evaluation matters—they can determine how much is skin vs. structure and guide you toward the right level of treatment rather than jumping straight to CO2.

Frank Agullo, MD · Answer

Honestly, no. CO2 laser, even fully ablative, won't fix what you're describing. CO2 lasers are excellent for surface things like fine lines, sun damage, and texture, but they don't tighten loose skin in any meaningful way. After real weight loss, what you're seeing isn't a texture problem, it's a laxity problem, and that's the wrong tool for the job. You'd burn through downtime and money and end up disappointed.

For a 34 year old with a true turkey neck after weight loss, a deep plane neck lift (or an extended deep plane facelift if your jawline has dropped too) is the procedure that actually solves it. It tightens the platysma muscle (the muscle responsible for the cordy hanging look), removes the excess skin, and addresses any fat under the chin in a single procedure. Energy-based devices like Renuvion or Morpheus8 can help if your laxity is on the milder side, but from what you've shared I'd bet you've already passed that point. My advice: book a consult with a deep plane facelift specialist and bring photos from before your weight loss.

#StayBeautiful,

@RealDrWorldWide

34 - turkey neck from weight loss. What would be best for my sagging neck? (Photos)

Answers (2)

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