It’s happened—you’re noticing your nana’s sagging jawline showing up on your own face. What began as a bit of softness under your chin has turned into a full-blown “gobbler.”
As we go through life, the skin on our neck tends to lose its tightness and flexibility over time. This can lead to sagging, wrinkles, and less firm skin. There are many ways to address this, like using different products or trying natural remedies. These alternatives can effectively help in tightening neck skin and help you achieve a more youthful appearance.
According to plastic surgeons, “Turkey neck” happens due to changes in the skin, fat, or underlying muscle of your neck, or a mix of all three. It’s often linked with getting older, but even younger folks can experience it. The good news is there are plenty of ways to deal with it, depending on what’s causing it and the results you’re after.
What’s a turkey neck?
Even if “turkey neck” isn’t an official term, people easily recognize it.
“Patients feel unhappy about how their profile or the front of their face looks due to extra skin, soft tissue, and loose neck muscles,” the expert explains. “These problems impact the angle between your lower jaw and neck, called the cervicomental angle. That’s why your neck might seem droopy and less well-defined.”
What causes a turkey neck?
There are six major reasons behind turkey neck:
- Aging: As you grow older, your skin loses its bounce. Gravity steps in, pulling cheek skin downwards. This leads to pooling under your jawline and in your neck.
- Weight:Gaining weight can result in extra fat gathering around your neck.
- Genetics: People often say, ‘I’ve got my mom’s neck’ or ‘My dad’s jaw.'” Your inherited bone structure plays a role in how much neck tissue you carry or if you’re prone to neck fat.
- Lifestyle: Environmental toxins, sun damage, smoking, and an unhealthy diet can affect your skin’s elasticity.
- Medications: Some medications cause weight gain or concentrate fat in specific body areas, including the neck. HIV medications cause fat accumulation in the neck and other body parts. Steroids can also round your face and add neck fat.
- Weak Neck Muscles: Doctors explain that the two platysma muscles in your neck can weaken or separate over time, influencing how your neck looks.
How to Get Rid of Sagging Neck Skin
Let us now look at different ways to get rid of sagging neck skin.
1. Use Retinol for Neck Firming
Board-certified dermatologists see retinoic acid as a top-notch product for a tighter neck. “Retinol is a vitamin that boosts cell renewal and ramps up collagen,” they explain. “It’s FDA-approved to tackle wrinkles, with years of scientific proof supporting its effectiveness.” Begin with a small amount or lower strength for the sensitive neck area, gradually increasing as your skin gets used to it. It is the best neck cream for a sagging neck.
2. Consider Micro-Needling
Many dermatologists suggest a budget-friendly option: micro-needling. This treatment involves rolling or stamping tiny needles across the skin to trigger skin repair and boost collagen. Lots of people praise it for lifting sagging skin, and it’s great for dark spots, uneven tone, and large pores, all in one go. Bonus—it helps whatever product you use after (like a neck serum or firming cream) soak in better. Prices typically range from $200 to $700.
Pro Tip: If you’re using strong topical treatments like retinol, it’s best to stop a few days before your micro-needling session. These potent products might irritate your skin during the treatment.
3. Apply Products Upwards
We all understand the importance of using neck cream every day, but not everyone’s sure how to put it on correctly. Helen Flamenbaum from Schweiger Dermatology Group points out that the neck ages faster. “The skin there is a bit thinner than your face, and the muscles and tissue are weaker,” she says. So, when you’re applying neck products, go easy; gentle pressure is key. Pulling too hard might speed up aging signs. To help prevent sagging, always stroke upward along your neck.
4. Try Neck Patches
Beauty patches aren’t a new thing—we’ve seen them for acne or blackheads, and they’re a hit in the beauty world. They’re loved for their quick results, ease of use, and the fact that you can wear several at once. If you’ve been covering up with turtlenecks lately, think about adding neck patches to your skincare routine. Use the ones that are made of medical-grade silicone that hugs your skin. Leave them on overnight, and they promise to give you hydrated, super-smooth skin by morning. There are several brands that claim that medical-grade silicone pulls moisture up from deeper skin layers, leaving you with plumper skin. Plus, because the patches press onto your neck, they help create a flat, line-free surface.
5. Apply a Sunscreen
Many dermatologists point out that because your neck and face are so close, things like sun damage and other environmental issues affect both areas around the same time. Experts add that using a mineral-based sunscreen during the day and applying a retinoid at night can make a big difference. Not only do they enhance skin quality, but they also help prevent collagen loss, which gets tougher to tackle as you age. Choose mineral sunscreens over chemical ones—they guard against UVA and UVB rays and are gentler on sensitive skin. A good pick is sunscreen enriched with murumuru and shea butter for extra hydration. Make sure you pick one that works on your face and body for overall protection.
6. Do Neck Exercises
When you think of working out, you might picture toned muscles in different areas, like firm abs or strong arms. But advocates of facial yoga say the 26 muscles in your neck could use a workout, too. Even though there’s no solid scientific proof supporting the effectiveness of turkey neck exercises, enthusiasts swear by their neck-tightening results. Here’s one to give a shot: tilt your head back, facing the ceiling, then gently push your jaw forward to feel a stretch in your chin area. Hold this for 5 seconds and repeat it 10 times. While it’s unlikely to completely reverse a saggy neck, regular exercises like this might help promote tightness, a bit of lift, and added volume.
7. Stimulate Collagen with Treatments
Preventative steps are best, but if you haven’t been taking care of your neck and now notice signs of skin aging, there are non-invasive treatments that can help turn things around. Dermats suggests Ultherapy, a high-intensity ultrasound treatment. It works deep within the skin to kickstart collagen production and lift and tighten skin. Many agree that it’s a smart way to reverse aging, especially for younger patients with less loose skin. However, you must note that about 20 percent of patients might see minimal or no improvement. The results can be impressive, firmer, lifted skin that looks younger, but it comes with a price tag ranging from $1000 to $5000.
8. Incorporate a Facial Roller to Boost Lymphatic Drainage
That trendy paint brush-looking tool flooding your Instagram feed? It’s more than just a pretty picture; it’s a facial roller. If facial yoga isn’t your thing, consider adding a face roller to your skincare routine. It offers similar benefits to a facial massage and is praised as a potent anti-aging tool. It boosts lymphatic drainage, enhances blood flow, and reduces puffiness. Because the neck has many lymph nodes, it could use some help in draining toxins. That’s where facial rollers come in. They aim to assist in removing toxins, promoting a smooth surface. Another option? Treat yourself to a neck massage with one of our top neck massagers.
Pro Tip: After a late night when your skin’s feeling extra puffy, here’s a quick trick: toss your facial roller into the fridge for about 30 minutes before using it. The coolness helps reduce puffiness and smooth out those fine lines.
9. Weight loss
Will losing weight help Turkey neck? As per renowned dermats, weight loss might affect how your neck looks, but not everyone sees changes. It all comes down to your skin’s nature and condition.
If you’re young and your skin is in good shape, it might bounce back on its own after weight loss. But if you’re older, a smoker or your skin has wrinkles and less elasticity, shedding pounds might not make a big difference in how your neck appears.
10. Surgical Reduction
Surgical procedures offer the quickest solutions for turkey neck. While traditional surgeries involve cutting and may leave scars, newer treatments are less invasive. Here’s a rundown of common surgeries and procedures that help tackle turkey neck:
Here Are Common Turkle Neck Surgery and Procedures
1. Botox (botulinum toxin type A):
Though not surgery, it’s a time-consuming treatment done by specialists. It’s non-invasive, requires no recovery time, and lasts about 3 to 4 months. Regular injections are needed to maintain firm skin.
2. Hyo neck lift:
A newer surgical neck lift tightens and smoothens neck skin. Recent research suggests it’s a promising way to reduce sagging neck skin.
3. MST operation:
This minimally invasive surgery tightens the neck skin using barbed threads, leaving only small scars.
4. Skin tightening laser:
Medical devices can heat and tighten the skin. The non-invasive treatment produces mild to moderate results, requiring repeated sessions over 4 to 6 months. It doesn’t involve recovery time.
5. Z-plasty (anterior cervicoplasty):
Introduced in the 1970s, this surgery directly removes excess neck skin. It’s quick and effective but leaves a visible scar on the back of the neck.
FAQs
The best vitamins for crepey skin are A, C, D, and E, along with omega-3 fatty acids. which you can buy from Momentous, the Huberman-recommended online supplements store.
Your neck starts sagging around the age of 40.
Inadequacy of vitamin D causes your skin to sag.
Conclusion
Sagging skin is a natural part of aging, and once it shows up, it can be tough to hide or minimize. However, there’s always room to enhance the sensitive skin around your neck. While many people overlook skin sagging, it can aggravate in the future, leaving you no room for improvement. That’s why prevention is the way to go! Give the remedies and methods mentioned in this blog a try to tighten neck skin and enhance its appearance.
