Expert-backed ways to protect and support your skin as you age
Saggy neck, turkey neck, droopy jowls, the descriptions are endless for the one part of a woman’s face that experts say age us the most: the neck.
It is one of the areas on the body that first shows age as skin collagen diminishes, meaning our skin is less elastic. That plus spending hours on our mobile phones each day, and you can see why the neck is one of the first places to let us down.
‘Ageing slows down the production of collagen, an essential structural protein that gives skin its foundation, elasticity and firmness,’ says plastic surgeon Dr Paul Banwell (www.paulebanwell.com). ‘Collagen loss with age is a major cause of ageing in the neck, and results in sagging skin and wrinkles. Muscle laxity also happens in that area and results in a sagging appearance, or ‘turkey neck’ as it is often known.’
But there are ways we can prevent turkey neck or deal with it when it sets in. Here’s how:
Facial yoga
Preventing turkey neck isn’t just about lotions and potions or high tech interventions. Fitness, wellness and nutrition expert Penny Weston (www.pennyweston.com) says that turkey neck can be tackled but you need to be consistent.
‘In order to see proper results, people need to perform facial exercises 3-5 times a week for around 20 minutes. An easy one to do at home is to suck your cheeks and lips inwards, like a pout or a fish. Hold the position for a while and then try to smile. Try and repeat the exercise throughout the day,’ she says.
‘Another simple exercise to strengthen your jawline is to sit down on the ground and place the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth. Force your tongue against it until you feel a stretch in your neck. Try puffing out your cheeks and moving air from one side to the other and hold it for five seconds. Make a big O sound when you release the air and this can help firm cheek muscles. I would also suggest trying out chin lifts. All you need to do is throw your head back and stretch your neck. If you keep your eyes focused on the ceiling and then try moving your lower lip over the upper lip and smiling widely. Try holding this for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times and it may reduce a double chin.’
Retinol
Anyone who is anyone seems to use Retinol these days for smoother, fresher skin.
Retinol is derived from vitamin A and can help prevent or reverse early signs of aging. It can also help with acne and skin rejuvenation in general.
In fact, a study in 2023 published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found that consistent use of retinol significantly skin texture and firmness in the neck area.
Dr Dev Patel, is an aesthetic doctor and founder of CellDerma, (www.cellderma.com) which offers a range of products for everything from menopausal skin to acne and more. He says that retinols can help towards protecting yourself against turkey neck.
‘Contrary to a widespread misconception, retinoids do not inherently increase your sensitivity to the sun. In fact, they have been shown to be photo-protective,’ he says. ‘The misconception likely stems from the fact that if someone experiences retinoid dermatitis (a weakened skin barrier), their skin becomes more vulnerable to UV radiation. However, retinoids themselves actually protect the skin by minimising collagen breakdown from UV exposure and promoting new collagen production.’
Thermage FLX
Dr Angelica Kavouni (www.ionkavounilondon.com) says that the effects of staring down at our phones (tech neck) along with gravity and photodamage from UV light all conspire to create turkey neck.
‘These contribute to the loss of definition of the cervicomental angle, submental sagging and redundancy of the skin, along with an increase in platysmal band visibility (the two strands of muscle that run down the neck),’ she says. ‘As a result of these developments, the lower facial third may appear loosened and untoned, which can diminish the ‘heart-shaped’ facial shape that is so widely associated with a youthful and as such desired appearance. The delicate skin of our neck and decolletage may develop deeply etched horizontal and vertical lines.’
She recommends Thermage FLX, a non-invasive skin rejuvenation treatment that uses radiofrequency energy to heat the skin’s dermis and stimulate collagen.
‘Thermage FLX offers a great treatment option for patients as it aims to tighten the lower face and neck, as well as tone and improve skin elasticity in the long term’, she adds.
Non surgical neck lift
If you long for turkey neck surgery but don’t have the stomach or the purse for it, the next best thing is a non-surgical lift.
Dr Leah at Dr Leah Clinics offers her own lift, which is non-surgical and can be used for face, neck or both.
The lift is combination of ultherapy – where an ultrasound gel is put over the treatment area and then an ultrasound device goes over the area in different depths such as two millimetres, three millimetres. The deeper it goes, the more muscle contraction happens.
Dr Leah combines this a thread lift such as 6 Silhouette Soft or 8 Mint PDO threads (tiny threads that are inserted under the skin and then tightened). The treatment provides face tightening and neck tightening as well as an overall lift – resulting in a non-surgical facelift. Ultherapy uses ultrasound current to deliver high-intensity energy deep into the skin, stimulating the production of collagen and elastin. This non-invasive treatment is suitable for both face and neck, has no downtime, and produces tightening, firming results after 2-3 months. After having the Ultherapy treatment, the second part of the Dr Leah Lift involves the Thread Lift. This would take place 4-6 weeks after the Ultherapy treatment. The thread lift is a non-surgical facelift treatment that involves pulling a thread under the skin of the jawline and lower face, and mechanically pulling it upwards to improve sagging.
Dr Shirin Lakhani is a GP and aesthetic physician (www.drshirinlakhani.co.uk). She says: ‘Profhilo is an injectable skin remodelling treatment containing one of the highest concentrations of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) on the market, especially formulated for people whose skin lacks volume and elasticity. When used on the jawline it can be very effective at strengthening and thickening skin, smoothing wrinkles and restoring proper skin tension to lift the jawline and upper part of the neck. After just one Profhilo treatment a patient’s jawline will have more definition and this is largely down to the skin hydration and lift. By giving your skin an intensive boost of hyalaronic acid, Profhilo results in improved skin quality lasting for up to 6 months.’
ENDOLIFTx
If you want a facelift, but don’t want a facelift, this is the procedure for you. ENDOLIFTx uses a hair-thin laser fibre inserted under the skin to melt fat, tighten, contour and stimulate deep collagen production.
Dr Nina Bal is an advanced facial aesthetics clinician who uses ENDOLIFTx on her patients. There are no incisions and no stitches.
She says: “Endolift is the closest non-surgical alternative to a face-lift and liposuction. It is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a laser fibre that is thinner than a strand of hair to tighten, lift, and add definition back to the skin. It can be used to both tighten the skin whilst simultaneously addressing excess fat whether that be on the chin or jowls to contour the jawline, or on the arms to rid bingo wings. Inserted within the skin into the deep dermis, laser energy is applied through the wire, delivering heat into the skin which then responds by remodelling and boosting collagen production, without causing any damage to the outside skin.’
Fillers
When we think of loss of volume we often think of the cheeks or even lips. But we also loose volume in the chin and jawline area.
Aesthetic injector Nina Prisk at Update Aesthetics (www.update-aesthetics.co.uk) says that fillers are not just for rounded cheeks and pouts.
She says: ‘Your jawline may no longer be as shapely or tight as it once was and you’ll start to lose that youthful triangular shape. Through the careful and clever use of injectable fillers this loss of volume can be replaced and definition returned. ‘Whilst injectable dermal fillers are most commonly associated with the lips they can also be very good at jawline contouring. We can also restore lost volume in the cheeks and smooth out fine lines and wrinkles.’
Surgical neck lift
If you’ve tried everything and still suffer from turkey neck, or you just want to go all out and have a long lasting result, a surgical neck lift might be the answer.
Mr Dan Marsh and Mo Akhavani, founders of The Plastic Surgery Group offer a surgical necklift.
Mr Marsh says: ‘As we age our skin loses its elasticity and sags and fat accumulates resulting in the loss of the well defined youthful contour of the neck. Unsightly muscle bands also appear. Neck lift or cervicoplasty/platysmaplasty can improve these changes leaving you with a slimmer youthful neck with a more attractive contour. In a certain group of patients, neck lift alone is adequate for facial rejuvenation and in others it may be carried out in tandem with other facial rejuvenating procedures such as a facelift. The ideal candidate for a neck lift is someone who has an excess of skin and volume under their chin and wishes to have a surgical procedure to address these. There is no ideal age to have a neck lift as we all age differently. Both men and women may consider a neck lift and your surgeon will spend time listening to your concerns and then examine you before determining whether a neck lift is appropriate.’
‘The surgery typically takes two hours to perform and is carried out under a general anaesthetic. A small incision is made under the chin in order to access the underlying structures and sutures may be used to lift sagging structures. An additional incision might be needed behind the ear in order to achieve the best result. In some cases, additional liposuction is needed to contour the neck. After the surgery drains may be placed under the skin to help remove any excess fluid after the surgery. These are normally removed in the morning after the surgery. A neck lift has an immediate and long-lasting effect. However, it does not halt the ageing process and over many years the neck may regain its original appearance.’
Check the ingredients!
Look out for the following proteins, vitamins and extracts in your skincare routine for optimal anti-ageing effects. You’re aiming to top up collagen and elastin, which both diminish over time, for a plump, firm and youthful appearance.
Arctiin
Derived from the fruit of the Burdock plant, this lignan glycoside strengthens connective tissue by increasing collagen and hyaluronic acid production and inhibits the decrease of elastase. You’ll find it in the Eucerin Hyaluron Filler and Elasticity anti-ageing range.
Collagen
Especially Collagen AA Fractions naturally found in the skin. These small, concentrated pieces of collagen protein (amino acids) are easily absorbed and help firm and retighten skin. L'Oreal Paris Age Perfect Re-Hydrating Day Cream is packed full.
Hyaluronic acid (HA)
Also known as hyaluronan, HA is a naturally occurring substance in the skin, which is a powerful humectant, meaning it can hold a large amount of water. It’s a moisture-booster that keeps tissues hydrated and lubricated. Try The Inkey List’s best-selling Hyaluronic Acid Serum for a daily, non-tacky formulation that sinks in easily across multiple layers of the skin’s surface.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. Primarily used to combat uneven skin tone and improve radiance, it’s also known to strengthen the skin's lipid barrier and reduce water loss, minimising fine lines and wrinkles. Try Simple Booster Serum 10% Niacinamide.
Peptides
Peptides are short chains of amino acids – the building blocks of the proteins present in your skin – which can help smooth fine lines, soften wrinkles and improve cell barrier function in a gentle way. They’re great for sensitive skin. Try Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster Serum or Biossance Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum.
Retinoids
More robust than peptides, retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives, which speed up skin cell turnover and stimulate collagen production. Retinol can sometimes have a drying effect, so you typically need to build up use slowly if you’re new to it. You must always use sun protection alongside retinol and it’s best avoided altogether if you’re pregnant or breast-feeding. Newbies should start with a formula such as La Roche-Posay Redermic [R] Anti-Ageing Concentrate (with just 0.3% retinol) or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% in Squalane, another great anti-ageing ingredient.
Isodonis Japonicus
Trinny London’s The Elevator is specifically formulated for the neck area and includes many of the ingredients mentioned above as well as cohesion technology powered by plant extract, Isodonis Japonicus, which grows up to two metres tall without feeling the effects of gravity.
Padina Pavonica
Elemis’ Pro-Collagen Marine Cream is lauded for its combination of mimosa, rose and Padina Pavonica, a moisture-boosting, brown macroalgae from the Mediterranean coast, which is rich in polysaccharides that quench the skin.
Vitamin C
A great all-rounder, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that neutralises free radicals to protect the skin from external stressors that accelerate ageing. Try No7 Radiance+ 15% Vitamin C Serum.
Vitamin E
A fat-soluble vitamin with several forms – alpha-tocopherol is the one used by the human body. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects skin cells and has long been associated with effective skincare, from the Body Shop’s popular Vitamin E range to New York institution Fresh’s Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Face Serum.
7 things you can do TODAY to combat ageing
Read on for our quick-fix tips towards a more youthful face and neck.
1. Apply an SPF
The best way to reduce signs of ageing is to protect yourself from the effects of sun damage – and it’s as easy as applying a good sunscreen every morning, come rain or shine. As we’ve discovered more about the harming effects of UV radiation, many day creams now include an SPF as standard. Try Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream, Medik8 Advanced Day Total Protect and Dermalogica Prisma Protect Moisturiser, all of which are formulated with Factor 30 sunscreen for decent coverage. Alternatively, pop an application of sunscreen on top of your usual moisturiser.
2. Work on your posture
Hold your head high! Maintaining a strong, straight frame is an essential part of keeping all the muscles in the body as supple and engaged as possible, reducing the appearance of saggy skin. Good tongue posture in particular – known as ‘mewing’ – is said to be a great defence against turkey neck. As mentioned in the Face Yoga section above, it involves placing the tongue on the roof of the mouth. Developed by orthodontist Dr Mike Mew, it focuses on the placement of the tongue to align the jaw, leading to gradual aesthetic changes without invasive procedures.
3. Stay hydrated
Not only does your glass of water parch your thirst and refresh your system, it improves your skin quality in a number of ways – from improving elasticity and strengthening the skin barrier to enhancing your skin’s texture and improving blood circulation, in turn detoxifying skin. Aim to drink around 6 to 8 glasses of water a day for optimal effects.
4. Avoid cigarette smoke
Inhaling the chemicals in smoke from cigarettes damages collagen and elastin, constricts blood vessels and introduces free radicals, leading to premature ageing and wrinkles. For youthful skin, avoid like the plague!
5. Sleep with support
Back sleeping is said to be best for your neck as it helps keep your head, neck and spine aligned, reducing stress. But if you prefer sleeping on your side, make sure you use a supportive, ergonomic pillow to help maintain the natural curve of your neck.
6. Use red light therapy
Infrared light therapy can help improve skin firmness by stimulating collagen production and improving skin elasticity. This technology has become more affordable in recent years with small, hand-held tools you can use daily to get that stimulating light fix. Although generally very safe, consult with your doctor first if you have a photosensitivity disorder, take photosensitising medication, or have severe acne or rashes.
7. Have skin tags removed
As we age and produce less collagen and elastin, skin tags can form around the neck, eyes and other areas of the skin – particularly in the folds under your arms or breasts. So, for a more youthful appearance, you might consider having these removed. It can be tempting to try to do this yourself, but it’s always best to see your doctor to reduce the possibility of infection, bleeding or scarring. Skin tags can be dealt with using heat, by freezing or by cutting them off with a surgical blade or scissors. Your doctor will advise you on the best course of action.