How To Get Rid of
Turkey Neck

Explore our guide to find out more about turkey neck, what causes it and what you can do to help your skin feel firmer and smoother.

Read Time

8 min

In short:

What Causes Turkey Neck?
How to Get Rid of Turkey Neck
Turkey Neck Exercises
Final Words

What is turkey neck?

Turkey neck is the name given to loose, saggy and wrinkled skin below the neck. As you age, the muscles in your neck weaken and the skin surrounding it (and all over your body) loses elasticity and firmness.

Although turkey neck is a completely normal and very common part of ageing, and nothing you need to be concerned about, there are ways to help prevent it from forming and to minimise its appearance. So, grab yourself a refreshing drink, find somewhere comfy to sit back and relax, and enjoy our guide on how to get rid of turkey neck in a way that works for you.

At what age does turkey neck start to appear?

Turkey neck tends to start appearing around the age of 40, although this depends on a number of factors, such as your diet, lifestyle choices, and how much exposure you have had to sunlight over the years, as all of these can contribute to premature ageing. You might not notice turkey neck until your 50s or 60s – however, fine lines and wrinkles naturally start to appear from around the age of 25. Whatever age they begin to show up for you, it's completely normal and nothing you need to worry about.

What causes
TURKEY NECK?

Turkey neck is a natural part of the ageing process. However, its formation can be sped up by certain factors.

Excess neck fat, which can stretch the skin and reduce its ability to shrink back.
UV radiation from sunlight can cause free radicals to form in skin cells, which over time will damage your skin's elastin and contribute to wrinkles.
Collagen production naturally slows as you grow older, which contributes to fine lines and wrinkles.
Natural fat distribution: you might simply carry more fat beneath your chin and along your neck. Over time this can stretch the skin and cause folds.
The hyoid bone (a U-shaped bone in the neck) can contribute to turkey neck in people who have this bone set further forward, which reduces the length of the chin.

If you don't apply an effective SPF to your neck area every day (even on overcast and seemingly sunless days), UV radiation will still affect the neck. Applying sun protection daily may help to prevent turkey neck and other signs of premature ageing. If you're wondering how to get rid of turkey neck once it has appeared, read on to find out more.

A woman smiles, tilting her head to the side.

How to get rid of
TURKEY NECK

To help reduce the appearance of turkey neck, topical products can be very effective, particularly ones containing collagen. Collagen forms the foundation of your skin, so topping it up can not only help prevent the appearance of turkey neck from forming but also minimise the look of existing lines and sagging.

As with many skincare concerns, prevention is better than cure. Maintaining a healthy diet and taking regular exercise will help you avoid excessive body weight changes, which might otherwise weaken collagen, elastin and other skin components that contribute to skin tightness.

Try to avoid unnecessary exposure to sunlight by wearing a wide-brimmed hat and applying a sufficient SPF around your neck area. This will help to prevent any signs of sun-induced premature ageing. Explore the range of NIVEA face sunscreens for effective and immediate protection against the sun's damaging UV rays.

You can also help to prevent turkey neck (and reduce its appearance) by applying a retinoid daily. This can boost collagen production and promote skin cell turnover, helping your skin look fresher and smoother.

Other skincare ingredients that can help you reduce the appearance of wrinkly skin on your neck include:

Hyaluronic Acid: this occurs naturally in your body but its production depletes with age. Supplementing with a serum or cream can help retain moisture and visibly reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The NIVEA Cellular Expert Lift Pure Bakuchiol Anti-Age Night Cream provides intense nourishment and can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in only a week.
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), such as glycolic acid: by removing the top layer of skin cells, AHAs reveal a fresher layer of skin beneath. They can also improve blood flow and promote collagen production, both of which may contribute to an improved appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C and vitamin E: the presence of free radicals, which are created as a result of normal bodily processes, can be increased by exposure to pollutants and UV radiation – and these can damage skin cells. Vitamin C and vitamin E can inactivate free radicals, in turn reducing their impact on skin cells. They can also help to brighten your skin's appearance.
Peptides: similar to hyaluronic acid, peptides occur naturally in your skin and can help signal the production of collagen and elastin. Since your body's collagen production depletes with age, this can cause skin to appear more wrinkled. Adding peptides to your skincare routine can help your skin look plumper and firmer.

You can also help to prevent turkey neck (and reduce its appearance) by applying a retinoid daily.

Turkey neck
EXERCISES

Consistent exercise can help to improve circulation to your neck area and, if you target the neck muscles in particular, this can help strengthen them and reduce a sagging appearance. The extent of this improvement may be limited, as the skin on top may still be loose, but these moves are well worth giving a try. Here are four main turkey neck exercises to start with:

1) Forehead push

Place your hands on your forehead and gently push against them without allowing your head to move forwards. Push until you begin to feel resistance in your upper neck muscles. Once you feel this, slowly loosen the resistance, and then repeat this process with your hands on the back of your head. You should now feel the muscles in the back of your neck working.

If you struggle to build up enough resistance with your hands, you can place a cushion against the wall and push against that instead.

2) Chew

Sit with your back against a wall and tilt your chin upwards. While keeping your lips closed, perform a chewing motion as if you've just indulged in a piece of very sticky fudge. Repeat this exercise 3–5 times daily.

3) Kiss

Sit with your back as straight as possible, preferably on a firm seat. While keeping your mouth firmly closed, slowly raise your chin toward the ceiling and purse your lips as if you're about to plant a kiss. Hold this position for five seconds, and repeat until you've completed five sets in total. Try to do this exercise twice a week for maximum effect.

4) Neck lift exercise

Lie down on a bed (or a gym bench if you have one) and carefully drape your neck over the edge. While gently engaging your neck muscles, slowly raise your head as high as possible and then slowly lower it back down. Try to repeat this exercise five times per session, with two sessions per week.

As with any new exercise, chat to a physiologist before you practise it for the first time and stop immediately if you experience any neck pain. Also, always speak to a dermatologist when trying any new skincare product and follow the instructions on the label.

Final
WORDS

Turkey neck can be tricky to get rid of and it might have an impact on how you feel about yourself, but it’s important to remember that it’s a completely normal part of life and nothing to be embarrassed about.

If you’re still feeling self-conscious about sagging neck skin, try the exercises highlighted above and, of course, explore our range of products to help with tightening the skin around your neck so you can feel more confident in your own skin.