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The Dreaded Turkey Neck: 8 Ways to Prevent It

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The dreaded turkey neck — it’s the loose skin that appears around your neck with age. Neck wrinkles, once you notice them, might prompt you to consider wearing turtlenecks in the heat of summer. There’s no need to roast yourself, though, as you can take steps to slow down the aging of your neck skin.

3 Reasons Neck Skin Tends to Show Age

If you feel like your neck is aging faster than the rest of you, it’s not your imagination. There are three main reasons why neck skin can be more prone to premature aging.

1. Your neck skin is thicker and, thus, harder to treat.

The neck skin is thicker and less effective at absorbing product. So while you might be applying your face cream to the neck on the regular, you may not see the same results over time.

2. Your neck skin has slower repair mechanisms than the skin on your face.

The neck skin also heals more slowly than the skin on your face. There are two culprits here. Your neck has fewer oil glands and a thinner layer of fat.

3. Your neck skin is supported by a stand-alone muscle.

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The major muscle that holds your neck up is not connected to your skeleton. That fact, coupled with the neck’s vertical orientation, means the constant pull of gravity means the neck skin is more likely to sag and lose elasticity.

8 Ways to Prevent Turkey Neck

1. Pick the right neck cream.

Moisturizing cream

Special needs beget special care. The best products for your neck are those that have moisturizing, correcting and protecting properties. Ingredients to watch for include peptides, which will address existing wrinkles, plus shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants — which can delay new wrinkles from forming.

2. Make sun care a priority.

Creating a physical barrier between your skin and the sun’s damaging UV makes a world of difference in how your neck skin ages in the coming years. Treat sunscreen as a must for your daytime regimen, and always make sure that your choice sunscreen is formulated to match whatever you have planned for the day. If you’re often active outside, for example, keep waterproof and sweatproof formulas on hand.

3. Exfoliate regularly.

Your neck skin can benefit from a daily treatment with a mild exfoliator, such as a product containing alpha hydroxy acids. If you don’t have very sensitive skin, you can also use a harsher formula twice weekly.

4. Perform neck exercises.

Like any muscle, the muscles in your neck can lose their firmness. Regular neck exercises are the cure. Check YouTube video tutorials on yoga facial exercises that are specifically intended to tone turkey neck.

4. Stay hydrated inside and out.

Girl drinking water

Load up with fluids throughout the day. Stick to water, fresh fruit juices and veggie bullets. Carbonated and alcoholic beverages may taste refreshing, but they actually contribute to dehydration. You can hydrate your neck skin on the outside with regular application of moisturizer and essential oils.

5. Eat healthful foods.

When you fuel up your body with proper nutrition, your skin responds with more radiance. Healthful foods supply your skin with the nutrients that are required for repair, rejuvenation, and regeneration — processes that keep your skin looking young and wrinkle-free.

6. Avoid sugary drinks and food.

When blood sugar levels are high, your skin cells have a harder time burning calories to produce energy to fuel repair and  cellular rejuvenation processes.

7. Avoid using harsh products.

Preservatives, drying alcohols, allergy-causing dyes and artificial fragrances can damage your skin over time. Always check the labels of your moisturizers and laundry detergents and research any ingredients that are unfamiliar.

8. Sleep in sweet slumber.

woman sleeping
Sleeping beauty

Most adults need seven to nine hours of sleep each night. As well, a good part of those hours need to be restful sleep. Find ways to relax before you hit the sheets, so you can maximize the restorative benefits of your sleep.

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and different parts of it need differentiated care. Neck wrinkles can be corrected and prevented by following a more holistic neck skin care strategy. Firmer, younger looking neck skin is achievable — and you’ll see the best results by making a larger lifestyle commitment to eating right, staying hydrated and sleeping well.