Having a smooth, swan-like neck may not be in the genetic cards for all of us, but as an esthetician, I have some tips and product recommendations that can help you avoid the dreaded turkey neck!
9 Ways to Avoid Turkey Neck & a Double Chin
Your neck and décolleté have fewer oil glands than your face, which means we rarely battle acne there—but it also means this area is dryer and thus more prone to wrinkles and sagging. Here are my best tips for achieving a firmer jawline, neck, and décolleté.
1. Keep it moisturized.
Since your neck is generally dryer than your face, make sure to apply serums and moisturizers twice daily. And always apply in upward strokes from the décolleté to the jawline.
Using products specifically targeted for these areas is best. Bioelements V-Neck Smoothing Creme has hyaluronic acid and anti-wrinkle peptides that smooth sun-damaged skin and even out texture. Another favorite of mine is Fresh Black Tea Firming Corset Cream—made with firming peptides, black tea, and Goji fruit extract. This cream can be applied 1–2 times daily from the chest to the jawline.
2. Slim a double chin with celery.
This detox veggie is thought to help flush out excess fluids [source] that can exacerbate a double chin. Its anti-inflammatory action [source] reduces puffiness, while the silica it contains boosts the skin’s moisture and elasticity.
Try drinking celery juice first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and then use the leftover celery pulp for a neck and chin mask. Rub the pulp onto the skin, and let it sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Repeat twice a week.
3. Protect against sun damage.
Sunscreen is key! You might always apply sunscreen to the neck area, but how thoroughly? The face starts at the chest (not the forehead!), so be generous with your product application. I recommend at least an SPF 30 for the chest—find my favorite sunscreens here.
4. Use coffee to reduce puffiness.
When water retention makes your chin look extra puffy, shrink it with coffee. Caffeine’s diuretic action flushes out excess fluids [source], while the egg white firms and tightens skin. P.S. This also works for puffy eyes!
-2 tablespoons coffee grounds
-1 tablespoon grapeseed oil (or another carrier oil)
-1 egg white
Whip the egg white in a small bowl until frothy, then whisk in the coffee and oil. Apply the mixture to your skin from your jaw down to your collarbones. Massage it into your skin using gentle pressure while gliding your hands down the neck 3–4 times. Keep the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse.
5. Try a lymph massage.
A gentle lymph massage with wheat germ oil can help lift the muscles in the neck and chin as well as boost circulation to flush out excess fluids.
-1 teaspoon wheat germ oil
Pour the oil onto your hands. Slide your thumbs from under the chin and up the jawline toward the ears, then lightly press the hollow area behind each earlobe. Massage clockwise for 10 seconds.
Move your fingers to the ends of your jawbone and massage again for 10 seconds. Then slide your hands down the sides of your neck. Repeat three times.
6. Reduce swelling with cucumber cubes.
This anti-inflammatory veggie reduces swelling and helps detox your tissues [source]. Try adding cucumber spa water to your hydration routine. After infusing your water, blend the cucumber to make a simple double chin mask. Apply it cold for even faster results.
-1 cucumber
-Ice cube tray
Puree the cucumber and pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Take 1 frozen cucumber cube and rub it along the jawline for 2 minutes.
7. Tone your face with a jade roller.
Jade facial rollers are wonderful for firming the neck area, boosting lymphatic drainage, and increasing circulation. Be sure to use the roller in an upward direction once a day. Pairing this with a hydrating serum helps with deeper penetration of the product.
8. Or try gua sha.
The gua sha technique of “scraping” the skin activates your muscles and stimulates the lymph system, both of which help slim your jawline.
Rub a drop of grapeseed oil onto your neck, then place the gua sha tool under your chin and gently drag it out to the right until it’s even with the ear. Repeat this action 10 times.
Move down 2 inches and repeat the set, each time going lower on the neck until you reach the collarbone. Repeat on the left side. Finish by dragging it outward along the collarbone 10 times on each side.
9. Make stretching a habit.
Over time, the skin of the neck can become loose and the muscles flaccid. Stretch your neck if you work at a desk all day. Begin with your chin to your chest, then slowly roll your head from side to side, pausing when your ear rests just over your shoulder. If this feels good, begin taking complete circular movements with the head.
Get into the habit of sitting up straight every time you log onto the computer or at every stoplight. This exercise for the neck encourages taut skin.
The rest is up to genetics and proper sleep, diet, and exercise. Remember, your skin is your largest organ, so feed it well!
This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Photo by Ana Stanciu
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