How to Treat Turkey Neck: Creams, Exercises and Procedures Compared

The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face and has fewer oil glands, which may be one reason it can seem to age faster. A dermatologist explains what helps and what doesn’t.

Many of us put sunscreen and serums on our faces and stop at the jawline. A dermatologist says that habit can eventually leave a noticeable disconnect between the face and neck.

You’ve probably heard the term “turkey neck.” It’s the name for the sagging or loose skin on the neck, which, according to dermatologist Dr. Melanie Palm, isn’t just one problem. It could be a combination of loose skin, fat under the chin, visible neck muscle bands, and weaker support along the jaw.

So how do you treat turkey neck? Here’s what experts and research suggest.

Creams

A cream may help treat the skin’s dryness, crepey texture, and fine lines, says Dr. Palm, but that’s as far as it goes. It can't remove fat or significantly change a prominent muscle. Unfortunately, there's no magic neck-only ingredient, but a good facial product your neck tolerates can work.

Dr. Palm suggests retinoids, with substantial evidence that they stimulate collagen. She also recommends starting slowly on the neck, where skin is thinner. Some research also suggests certain creams may help with smoothing and firming the neck’s skin.

Exercises

Healthline says there are no reputable studies that have tested whether neck exercises work. They may help tone muscles, the skin on top may not change. One study of yoga-style neck exercises found some benefit, though more research is needed.

Procedures

When it comes to procedures, Dr. Palm highlights that the choice of treatment should match the cause. Injections called neuromodulators target active neck bands, while lasers or ultrasound can improve skin quality, and a surgical neck lift is the strongest option for advanced sagging. Dr. Palm says a combination of these treatments often works better.

Healthline adds that while surgery is the quickest and most effective way to treat a turkey neck, it can leave scars, and Botox requires reinjections every three to four months.

Bottom line, exercises appear to be the least effective in treating turkey neck, and procedures are most effective. Creams fall in the middle. Dr. Palm says the face, neck and chest should be treated as one unit, so daily sunscreen should cover all three. Healthline advises consulting a dermatologist to identify the best treatment.