Many women are diligent with their facial skin care but neglect the skin on their necks, which often – with the help of ageing – results in a rather saggy, wrinkled “turkey neck”.
And while it is normal for skin to go from tight and taut to slightly over time, some are keen to reverse the clock.
For those looking to work on improving the appearance of this specific area, a plastic surgeon shared how to reduce turkey neck without going under the knife.
Rebecca Elsdon, skincare expert and owner of skin health clinic Re/Skin, spoke exclusively to GB News about how women can improve the appearance of the neck.
She said: “Sagging and drooping of the neck is often referred to as ‘turkey neck’. It can often be managed through a combination of skin care, treatments, facial exercises and lifestyle changes.
‘Keep the skin well moisturised and hydrated to maintain the elasticity, and opt for specific neck creams’
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“However, it can also be hereditary and the natural makeup of how your skin ages, including the movement of the fat pads on the face and neck.”
Nevertheless, “there are some tips you can follow to improve the appearance of the neck area”.
Skin care
The expert advised: “Keep the skin well moisturised and hydrated to maintain the elasticity, and opt for specific neck creams.
“Look for actives such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, peptides, retinoids and antioxidants to help firm and tone the skin.
“Sun protection is a must. Very often this area gets neglected in a daily sunscreen regime, but it is very often exposed to the same amount of UV as our faces.
“Always apply an adequate amount, not just the remainder of your face application.”
Exercise
Rebecca told ladies: “Facial yoga and exercises are a great way to tone the muscles and contour the face and neck.”
She urged women to seek out tutorials on YouTube or specialists in this area of expertise.
Diet
The expert advised: “The skin is the last in the biological queue to receive resources from the body, so ensure you are incorporating foods rich in vitamins and minerals that will promote healthy skin.
“Foods high in antioxidants such as vitamin C will help collagen production and protect existing collagen.
“Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish help to keep the skin supple and moisturised. Protein is important for new cell regeneration and cell repair.”
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‘Omega-3 fatty acids found in oily fish help to keep the skin supple and moisturised’
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Lifestyle
Rebecca said: “Look at avoiding smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, as these can accelerate skin ageing and contribute to sagging skin.
“I would also recommend looking at your posture. We are all guilty of staring at our phones for too long these days and the posture that comes with that can really exacerbate a drop in the contour of the face and neck.
“Be conscious about this and keep your head aligned with your spine when using electronic devices.
“Consistency is key here for seeing noticeable results, and it may take several months to see any changes. Following a daily routine and even adding in some daily massages to promote lymphatic drainage and circulation can help reduce puffiness and improve skin tone.
“Maintaining these habits will help lead to long-term benefits in reducing turkey neck.”
