Learn about 5 tips to help reduce the appearance of loose skin on the neck, also called "turkey neck".
You glance in the mirror and there it is—that loose, sagging skin under your chin that wasn’t there before. Turkey neck can sneak up on you, making you look older than you feel, and no amount of your usual face cream seems to make a difference.
While plenty of advice focuses on prevention, what if you're already dealing with it? Are there real ways to get rid of turkey neck and tighten sagging skin?
The answer is yes. From targeted exercises and skincare to professional treatments that deliver noticeable results, this guide breaks down how to get rid of turkey neck—so you can enjoy a smoother, more defined neckline.
Turkey neck is one of those frustrating changes that seems to appear out of nowhere.
So, why does it happen?
The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face, with fewer oil glands to keep it hydrated and elastic. Over time, collagen production slows down, muscles weaken, and gravity does its thing.
Sun exposure, genetics, and even posture (yes, all that time looking down at your phone plays a role) can speed up the process.
The result? Loose, sagging skin that wasn’t there before.
But! There are ways to firm and tighten your neck, whether you’re looking for simple at-home fixes or professional treatments that deliver real results.
Let’s explore 5 ways to get rid of turkey neck.
Turkey neck can be tricky to treat—there’s no instant fix, and what works for one person might not work for another. However, a comprehensive approach tends to be the most effective.
Combining skincare, targeted exercises, and, if needed, professional treatments may help tighten and firm your neck over time.
Here are five tips that may help make a difference.
Over-the-counter creams often fall short when addressing existing sagging skin seen with turkey neck. Prescription-strength retinoids like tretinoin deliver significantly better results by rebuilding your skin's foundation from the inside out. Unlike surface-level moisturizers, tretinoin penetrates deep into the skin where it stimulates collagen production and accelerates cell turnover.
When applied to the neck area consistently, it helps restore firmness, smooth crepey texture, and may help gradually diminish those horizontal necklines that age you.
Strut Neck Cream contains prescription-grade tretinoin specifically formulated for the delicate neck area. Many users report noticeable improvements in neck firmness and texture within a few months of consistent use.
This neck formulation also contains skin-loving niacinamide, caffeine, and DMAE to help aid in the smoothing and firming process.
Application tip: Apply tretinoin to your neck at night and always follow with sunscreen during the day, as retinoids increase sun sensitivity.
When turkey neck has already developed, strengthening the underlying muscles becomes crucial. Toning the platysma muscle—the broad sheet of muscle extending from your jawline to your collarbone—can create a more defined profile and reduce the appearance of turkey neck.
Think of it as neck yoga.
Chin lifts involve tilting your head back, looking at the ceiling, and puckering your lips as if kissing the ceiling. Hold for 5 seconds, release, and repeat 10 times daily.
Neck resistance exercises help too – place your hand against your forehead and push against it while keeping your head still. Hold for 10 seconds, then repeat on each side of your head to target different neck muscles.
The jaw release targets the often-neglected under-chin area. Open your mouth wide, stick out your tongue, and hold for 10 seconds.
Consistency is key — aim for 5-10 minutes of these exercises daily to see a possible gradual improvement in neck muscle tone.
For more advanced turkey neck, in-office treatments can deliver more dramatic improvement:
Ultrasound therapy (like Ultherapy) targets deep tissues to stimulate collagen production, with results developing over 2-3 months and lasting up to two years.
Radiofrequency treatments heat deeper skin layers to tighten existing collagen and encourage new growth. Typically, a series of 3-4 treatments spaced one month apart produces the best results.
These treatments work particularly well when combined with at-home care using prescription retinoids. These do require significant investment, repeat treatment commitment, and some downtime.
Poor posture – particularly the forward head position from looking down at phones – contributes significantly to turkey neck. Correcting this can have both immediate and long-term benefits.
Consider creating a completely ergonomic workspace if you work on the computer for hours at a time.
Practice this daily: Stand with your back against a wall, shoulders, and head touching the wall. Hold this position for one minute, then step away while maintaining alignment. Repeat several times throughout the day to retrain your muscles and reduce strain on your neck.
While working on long-term solutions, some firming ingredients may make more immediate improvements to your neck appearance: caffeine and DMAE.
Caffeine temporarily constricts blood vessels and tightens skin, while DMAE creates an instant firming effect that can last for hours – perfect for special occasions or whenever you need to look your best quickly.
Look for neck cream formulations containing tretinoin, caffeine, and DMAE like Strut Neck Cream for more immediate and long-term improvements.
For best results, combine approaches based on the severity of skin symptoms.
For mild to moderate turkey neck: Start with prescription retinoid formulas like Strut Neck Cream and daily neck exercises. Most users see significant improvement within a few months of consistent use.
For moderate to severe turkey neck: Consider combining prescription skincare with professional office treatments for more dramatic results. Follow up with proper skin care and exercises to maintain results.
Remember that truly getting rid of turkey neck requires addressing both the skin quality and underlying muscle tone. While temporary fixes provide more immediate visual improvement, prescription-strength retinoids offer the most significant long-term results by treating the root causes of collagen and elasticity loss.
Getting started with prescription treatment is simple—just complete a quick online questionnaire-based consultation at Strut Health to see if our Strut Neck Cream is a good fit for your goals. If approved, your custom-formulated Strut Neck Cream will be delivered directly to your door from a U.S. compounding pharmacy, allowing you to begin your journey to a firmer, more youthful neck.
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