Why Does My Neck Look Older?
The neck is the first place that shows the various signs of aging. The area has the thinnest skin than any other part of the body. The neck also has fewer oil glands, which may make it lose its elasticity relatively faster. It also is possible that most of us do not give our necks the care we give to our faces. Dr. Nadir Qazi, DO, a board-certified physician, says, “Collagen production begins to slow around the age of 25. However, the effects may not become apparent until the age of 40 or so. Most people start to notice changes to their neck around that age as the skin begins to thin and the collagen to support the skin has depleted significantly enough to become visible.” Dr. Kunal Malik, MD, FAAD, a cosmetic dermatologist, explains, “This is highly variable, and dependent upon multiple factors – overall health status, sun exposure, genetics, environmental factors (smoking, excess pollution exposure).” Dr. Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, adds, “After the age of 40, the skin and muscles of the neck become slack. With weight reduction, the skin’s ability to shrink decreases, and weakening muscles can cause a banded look. Popular face skin care products, treatments, and procedures can assist us in combating the effects of aging.” Aysel, a massage therapist and YouTuber, shares in one of her vlogs two significant problems she faced due to weight loss and unsuccessful hormonal therapy. She states, “Firstly, my face began to look very flabby, and my skin began to hang in this place (pointing at saggy neck skin). This is an ugly skin pouch that is formed as a result of excess skin and subcutaneous fat (i).” She attributes these problems to aging and loss of skin elasticity. While these are the reasons your neck skin looks loose, there are certain ways you can tighten it.
Is It Possible To Tighten The Neck Skin?
Dr. Chacon says, “Yes. Stretching and exercising can make a visible difference in wrinkly skin. Constant stretching and releasing of your lower facial tissues and muscles might activate them. This can also induce collagen production, decreasing aging and sagging signs.” A few exercises and natural remedies may help tighten your neck skin. Check out the list of the neck-tightening exercises we have compiled for you below!
Natural Ways To Tighten Your Neck Skin
1. Hot Stone Massage
Anecdotal evidence suggests that a massage with a hot stone on loose neck skin may repair wrinkles. It also may trigger collagen formation and tighten neck skin. However, get this massage done by a professional for better, safer results.
2. Almond Oil Massage
An almond oil massage may also improve skin firmness. Almonds are a rich source of vitamin E and may also help reduce wrinkles (1). Apply almond oil to your neck regularly. Additionally, you may also eat almonds daily.
3. Exercise
One effective exercise to tighten neck skin is the constant stretching and relaxing of lower facial muscles. This stretching exercise can make the muscles around the neck active, potentially stimulating collagen production and tightening the skin. Dr. Chacon adds, “Simply take a pack of chewing gum and munch it for 10 minutes twice a day. This will help you build muscle beneath your jaw and in your neck, preventing a double chin and turkey neck. Try these for extra neck-tightening exercises.” Aysel introduced an effective method involving sea salt treatment and facial exercises in her video to address turkey neck. She recommended daily practice of these exercises. She said, “After two weeks, you will definitely see the result.”
4. Neck Masks
Cucumber Mask
Cucumbers are a great source of hydration as they contain 95% water (2). Some believe using cucumber on your neck may help revitalize the shrunk neck cells and make the skin look fuller and plump. More research is warranted in this regard. You Will Need
A cucumber 2 tablespoons of curd 4 to 5 drops of almond oil A small cup of rose water A cotton ball
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do It Do it everyday.
Banana Mask
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the antioxidant properties in bananas may help make your neck skin look firm and healthy. You Will Need
1 banana 4 tablespoons of curd 2 tablespoons of honey
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do It Do this everyday.
Tips To Keep Your Neck Looking Younger
1. Take Collagen
Oral collagen is known for improving skin elasticity (3). Adding collagen supplements to your daily diet may help keep your neck looking younger. Consult your doctor before you go for any supplements.
2. Avoid Perfumes
Perfumes contain alcohol that may dry the skin if used in excess. This may eventually lead to a loss of skin elasticity. Hence, avoid using perfumes on your neck. You may use them on your wrist.
3. Take Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been popular in the skincare industry for its anti-aging benefits (4). You may use Vitamin C-based serums or creams to keep your neck looking younger.
4. Exfoliate Your Skin
Our face and neck are covered with millions of dead cells that may clog the pores if not cleared. This may make our skin appear dull and aged. Hence, using a good physical or chemical exfoliant to exfoliate your neck can help.
5. Moisturize Your Skin
Regularly moisturizing your neck also helps keep it looking young. Go for a natural, high-quality moisturizer from a reputed brand. Use it regularly.
6. Manage Your Weight
Weight gain can cause the skin to stretch. The subsequent weight loss may make it loose and saggy. Dr. Chacon says, “Neck muscles may be strengthened with focused workouts, and their young skin may naturally bounce back after the weight is lost. However, if an elderly person has lost skin elasticity, their neck skin may stay loose and wattle-like even after they’ve shed the neck fat.” You can manage your weight by incorporating healthy lifestyle changes like eating right and exercising regularly. Remember to stay hydrated and follow a balanced diet. Dr. Chacon adds, “Drinking enough of water is one of the greatest strategies to get rid of a double chin. It aids in the removal of toxins from the body and can help relieve bloating. Furthermore, consuming enough water can help keep your skin moisturized, making your chin seem less sagging.” Incorporate fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and salads into your daily diet. Other than trying natural remedies, you can give medical treatments a shot as well that promise effective results in less time. Scroll down to know all about them.
Medical Treatments For Tightening Neck Skin
https://www.shutterstock.com/de/image-photo/cropped-shot-woman-getting-skin-tightening-1493244077 Alt Text: Neck skin tightening treatment
Ultherapy: This is a non-invasive neck skin tightening treatment that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production in the skin, which helps in naturally lifting and firming the skin on the neck (5). Lower Rhytidectomy: This surgical procedure (also called facelift surgery) involves removing excess skin from the jawline and neck to achieve slimmer and tighter skin in the said areas (6). Radiofrequency Skin Tightening: This nonsurgical treatment involves generating heat deep into the layers of the skin using radiofrequency waves to boost new cells and collagen production (7). This helps give a natural lift to the neck and corrects sagging skin.
How should I sleep to avoid turkey neck? According to Dr. Chacon, “Sleep on your back with your head slightly raised to minimize puffiness and face water retention even more. Fluids can leak from your face in this position. Use an additional cushion to raise your head a few of inches above your body.” Dr. Malik adds, “Avoid flexing the neck, which can cause the platysmal muscles to contract and therefore form “tech- neck” bands.” Does retinol tighten the skin? Retinoli A vitamin A-derivative used in skin care that increases production of skin cells and collagen, unclogs pores, and exfoliates the skin. can help improve collagen and elastini A human body protein that has the capacity to stretch and shrink, thus providing elasticity to the skin and connective tissues. production. Therefore, it may help tighten the skin (8). Does hyaluronic acid tighten the skin? Hyaluronic acid may help improve skin rejuvenation and stimulate collagen and elastin production. Therefore, it may help in skin tightening (9). Learn how to tighten your neck skin and eliminate a saggy neck with this easy-to-follow video! Check it now to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and look younger in no time!
