What causes turkey neck?
A rather unflattering phrase, the term ‘turkey neck’ refers to when the skin on the neck starts looking a little droopy and wrinkled. It’s primarily caused by the weakening of the muscles in the neck — and the skin losing some of its elasticity due to a decrease in collagen production — and is a completely natural part of the ageing process. However, it can be made worse by certain other factors — like too much sun exposure, and excess fat under the chin and around the neck.
Can I tighten my saggy neck without surgery?
Absolutely! While tightening and firming creams are certainly a great first port of call, it’s totally possible to tackle it with a little more intensity — without having to go under the knife.
The most popular non-invasive treatments are Ultherapy which uses radio frequency to stimulate collagen production, and Morpheus8 — which does the same, but also involves microneedling. Alternatively, Botox and fillers can also be used to smooth out the skin — and are far less invasive than undergoing a Neck Lift.
Do neck creams actually work?
“Yes,” says Dr Barbara Sturm, founder of her namesake brand, resolutely. “Just like the skin on our face, our neck and décolleté requires the same key components of skincare, such as intensive hydration, protective antioxidants and sun protection.”
She continues: “However, the neck and décolleté area contain less sebaceous glands and therefore tends to be thinner, meaning that it is more prone to the visible signs of ageing. Sun exposure can also cause long lasting hyperpigmentation and excessive screen time can lead to ‘tech neck’ – fine lines caused from looking down at our phones and computers. A moisturiser dedicated to target these common concerns in the neck and décolleté area is essential for an effective skincare result.”
When it comes to when you should start using them, Dr Sturm says that “it’s never too early – whatever your age or skin type, your skin will always benefit from extra hydration.” Corridan agrees, pointing out that “while the appearance of your neck is somewhat determined by your genetics, you can still look after your skin on your neck by always bringing SPF and moisturiser down onto your neck from your teens to twenties.” She adds: “a specialist neck serum should then be used to target the impact of the loss of collagen commonly experienced from age 30.” From this age, our collagen production begins to plummet; on average, we lose 1% of collagen from our skin every year.
For these reasons, they’re a worthy investment from a younger age, as well as for mature skin.
What ingredients should you look for in a neck cream?
“Your neck will benefit from intensive anti-aging ingredients that help firm and smooth the skin and nourishing lipids and ceramides to support the skin’s own lipid barrier,” says Sturm. “Hyaluronic Acid will also offer intensive hydration and skin smoothing benefits.”
As well as hyaluronic acid, look out for ceramides, SPF and vitamin E. They’ll all go some way in noticeably improving skin elasticity.
According to Corridan, you should consider neck creams “where the formula is not focused on just hydrating the skin but also tightening through mesh technology, targeting collagen reduction through retinol” and strengthening the skin with powerful antioxidants.
Can you use your normal face cream on your neck?
Your facial moisturiser will certainly provide your neck with some serious hydration — but if you feel like your neck is deserving of a little more focus, investing in something more specific is recommended. Sturm explains that, “a good firming cream would certainly have benefits but for more targeted results I’d recommend a product specifically created for the skin in that area.”
Neck creams are also great for combatting dryness, and if you invest in one with SPF, it’s an easy way to ensure you’re using a broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen to prevent skin cancer and ageing. The majority of people have some sort of sun damage on their necks, so adding a daily SPF neck cream to your routine will target multiple concerns in one. Anything over an SPF 30 should be effective.
