The appearance commonly known as “turkey neck” is the visible sagging and wrinkling of the skin beneath the chin and along the neck. This cosmetic concern often prompts people to seek non-invasive solutions to improve their profile. While surgical procedures offer the most dramatic change, many individuals first explore exercises to tone the underlying structures. This approach focuses on strengthening specific muscles in the neck and jawline to address early signs of jowling and neck-area aging.
What Causes Neck Skin Laxity
One primary factor is the natural decline in the structural proteins that maintain skin firmness. As we age, the production of collagen and elastin slows down, leading to a loss of elasticity and support in the skin’s dermal layer. This effect is often more noticeable on the neck because the skin in this area is thinner.
Another significant contributor is the change in the underlying musculature and fat distribution. The platysma is a broad, thin sheet of muscle that stretches from the chest up to the lower jawline. With age, the fibers of this muscle can weaken and separate, causing visible vertical cords or bands that pull the overlying skin downward. Additionally, the accumulation of submental fat, often referred to as a double chin, adds weight and bulk that further stretches and contributes to the sagging appearance of the neck profile.
Targeted Exercises for Neck Muscle Toning
Exercises specifically target the platysma muscle, aiming to increase its tone and strength. Engaging this muscle can help provide a firmer base underneath the skin. Consistency is a requirement for any potential benefit, and these movements should be performed with control to maximize muscle contraction.
The Ceiling Kiss
The “Ceiling Kiss” is one exercise intended to target the muscles under the chin and jawline. Begin by sitting or standing with the spine straight and then slowly tilt the head back to look directly at the ceiling. Next, pucker the lips tightly as if attempting to kiss the ceiling, feeling the tension build along the front of the neck. Hold the peak contraction for five to ten seconds, then relax the head back to the starting position, repeating this cycle ten to fifteen times daily.
The Jaw Thrust
Another effective movement is the “Jaw Thrust,” which isolates the lower jaw and the platysma muscle. Start by tilting the head back slightly, then push the lower jaw forward past the upper jaw, creating a strong stretch beneath the chin. Hold this extreme forward position for about ten seconds before slowly returning the jaw to a relaxed state. Aim to complete three sets of fifteen repetitions for this exercise.
The Tongue Press
The “Tongue Press” focuses on the submental area directly beneath the chin. While looking straight ahead, press the entire surface of the tongue firmly against the roof of the mouth. This action should create a noticeable contraction in the muscles under the jawline. Hold the sustained contraction for five seconds, then release, and repeat this motion ten to fifteen times to complete a set.
Managing Expectations for Exercise Results
It is important to understand the limitations of neck exercises when setting expectations for results. These movements are capable of strengthening and toning the underlying platysma muscle. However, the primary cause of moderate to severe neck laxity is the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which leads to loose skin that exercises cannot restore.
Exercises cannot tighten significantly sagging skin, nor can they remove substantial deposits of submental fat. Any visible improvement from a consistent exercise routine will likely be subtle and only noticeable in cases of very mild muscle slackness. To achieve noticeable changes in skin tightness or fat reduction, non-exercise treatments are typically required. Benefits will fade if the routine is not maintained.
Non-Surgical Treatments Beyond Exercise
A range of non-surgical treatments exists to address the different components of neck laxity. Topical products, with ingredients like retinoids and peptides, are often recommended for their ability to promote surface skin quality. These ingredients work by stimulating cellular turnover and encouraging the mild production of new collagen over time.
In-office procedures are available to target both fat deposits and skin firmness.
Fat Reduction
For excess fat under the chin, injectable treatments like Kybella use deoxycholic acid to dissolve fat cells, offering a permanent reduction in submental volume. Another non-invasive option is CoolSculpting, which uses controlled cooling to freeze and destroy fat cells in the targeted area.
Skin Firming
For addressing skin firmness, energy-based devices are commonly used to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin layers. Treatments using focused ultrasound energy, such as Ultherapy, or radiofrequency technology, like Thermage or Morpheus8, generate controlled heat in the dermis. This thermal energy triggers the body’s natural healing response, which leads to the gradual tightening and lifting of the neck skin over several months.