Saggy neck? Tighten things up with targeted moves for “turkey neck.”
We’re not in love with the term “turkey neck” — it’s just extra skin.
If you don’t want to learn to love the extra chin you’re in (though we wish you would!), you can perform some exercises that may tighten your neck muscles.
![sagging neck skin](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/GRT-female-hair-looking-in-bathroom-mirror-hand-on-neck-1296x728-header.jpg)
Though some swear these moves work, there’s no research backing them up, and they can’t zap away extra flowy skin.
Instead, they’re more likely to help strengthen the muscles underneath loose neck skin. Unfortunately, skin removal is usually accomplished with more intense methods, like surgery.
However, these popular neck exercises are simple enough for a test drive and may help tone your neck muscles naturally.
1. Pucker up
- Sit comfortably in a chair, back straight.
- Tilt your head all the way back, chin fully tipped to the sky.
- Pucker up nice and big, like you’re giving a selfie duck face or are fully making out with your invisible crush. If it helps, miming “mwah” with your mouth or saying that sound out loud in an exaggerated facial movement will get the job done.
- Repeat up to 20 times if it’s not too uncomfortable.
2. Get chewy
- Get in a comfortable sitting position with a straight back again.
- Gently let your head fall all the way back and aim your chin up toward the ceiling.
- With your mouth fully closed, move it around like you do when chewing a particularly gummy meal, just remember to keep both lips closed.
- Perform this fake chewing sesh about 20 times if you can.
3. Sit-ups for your neck
- Get in bed and lay flat, with your head hovering over its edge.
- Bring your head up toward the ceiling with slow and intentional movement, engaging only your neck muscles.
- Perform about 5 of these neck-ups if you can.
- Remember to be gentle with this move. Though this neck lift exercise is simple, you don’t want to pull a neck muscle.
4. Frowning
- Curl your mouth edges down into a big frown (if you’re unafraid of frown lines).
- The more animated the movement, the better — you should feel some resistance.
- Repeat a few times.
5. Facepalm
- Put your palm on your forehead, like you’re Ben Affleck-level stressed out.
- Try to drive your head into your hand, but don’t let your head move forward at all — like you’re holding yourself back from a fight.
- Pause in this resistance for nearly 10 seconds.
- Using both hands, hold the back of your head.
- Using your neck, push backward, pausing for 10 seconds.
6. Chin to chest (neck flexion)
- Stand straight, arms by your sides, core engaged.
- Bring your chin to your chest while bringing your shoulders back and down behind you.
- Pause here for 30 seconds before performing a handful of times.
7. Fish face
- Take a nice deep breath.
- After the exhale, suck in your cheeks as much as you can so your lips are absolutely puckered out.
- Keep this look for 5 seconds or longer before performing it up to 10 times.
8. Baby bird facial yoga
- Push your tongue tip through the top of your mouth as much as you can while smiling.
- Keeping that tongue smile secure, look all the way up to the ceiling 10 times.
9. Closed mouth smile
- Grin as wide as you can with a shut mouth.
- Keep your lips as close to your teeth as much as you can so that your lips tighten.
- Cheese nice and big like this for 5 seconds or so, and repeat up to 10 times (or until uncomfortable).
Causes behind turkey neck can include:
- extra weight
- genetics
- sun damage
- the hands of time
- weak neck muscles
- smoking
Can you tighten neck skin with exercise?
Exercise may be possible to tighten up a turkey neck, but it doesn’t eliminate loose skin like surgery or lasers.
Can you tighten loose skin on your neck?
Yes. Certain cosmetic products and procedures — especially surgery — improve loose neck skin the best. These include surgical neck lifts, lasers, Botox, and certain neck creams.
Can you reverse a saggy neck?
Surgery and other cosmetic methods for turkey neck can offer impressive results.
How can I tighten my turkey neck naturally?
Are you not into cosmetic procedures or surgery? Neck-toning exercises and facial yoga movements may offer some improvement. However, loose skin is generally not tightened naturally.
Loose neck skin is normal (and honestly v common).
Still, these simple moves may result in toned neck muscles. Just be careful so you don’t wind up with an actual pain in the neck. If you can, it’s best to chat with a healthcare professional first.