Loose or sagging neck skin—often called a “turkey neck” or “necklace lines”—is a common concern as we age. While it’s completely normal, understanding why it happens can help you address it with realistic expectations and effective care.
🧬 Primary Causes of Loose Neck Skin
1. Loss of Collagen & Elastin (Starting as Early as Your 20s)
Collagen provides structure; elastin gives skin its bounce.
After age 25, collagen production drops by 1–2% per year.

Sun exposure, smoking, and pollution accelerate this loss—especially on the thin, delicate neck skin.
2. Thinning Skin & Fat Redistribution
The neck has fewer oil glands and less fat than the face, so it dries out faster and shows aging sooner.
As facial fat pads shift downward with age, they can create jowls that extend into the neck area.
3. Gravity + Repetitive Postures (“Tech Neck”)
Constantly looking down at phones/tablets creates deep horizontal creases that become permanent over time.
Gravity pulls skin downward, and weakened neck muscles (platysma) offer less support.