What causes a turkey neck?

Turkey neck is a common side effect of aging that can happen to anyone. The underlying muscle, called the platysma, runs from your chin down to your clavicle (collarbone). People develop turkey neck when this muscle weakens and the skin on the neck loses its elasticity. Lifestyle factors like smoking and sun exposure can accelerate skin aging and sagging.

Can exercises treat turkey neck?

Some people believe that certain neck and facial yoga exercises can help strengthen the underlying neck muscles, but there are no reputable studies that have proven these exercises to work. You may see some toning benefits from neck exercises like the forehead push, but they won’t remedy the sagging skin that’s responsible for turkey neck.

What are the best treatments to get rid of turkey neck?

Some at-home products and practices can help tighten neck skin without surgery. Certain cosmetics, such as Obaji anti-aging neck and décolletage creams, are also formulated to work as sagging-neck solutions. One clinical study from 2016 that followed women using an anti-aging neck and décolletage cream containing N-acetyl glucosamine concluded that it “delivered significant firming and smoothing effects” within 16 weeks. However, in general, topical treatments are considered more preventive than therapeutic. That is why it is important to practice good skincare before the signs of aging appear.

If creams aren’t cutting it, laser procedures that stimulate collagen production and tightening can help treat turkey neck without surgery—though if you have significant sagging skin, a neck lift will likely be your best bet.

There are many ways to tackle neck contouring when creams don’t seem to work. Discover the best treatment for your body with an in-depth consultation.