8 Ways to Tighten Neck Skin, According to Dermatologists

A close up of a models neck skin, with wrinkles and creases. — Stocksy

When it comes to skincare routines, caring for your body and neck is just as important as caring for your face. Yet, many of us overlook the latter, focusing more attention on our faces via sunscreen, cleansing, and treatments only to stop short of our necks. This lack of attentiveness—alongside genetics, environmental factors, and age—can manifest in wrinkles, creasing, sun spots, and loose and sagging skin (sometimes referred to as "turkey neck").

While these effects are completely normal, some may wish to combat these concerns, helping their neck become more congruent with the glowing, smooth, and tight skin they strive for on their faces. To assist in this journey, we turned to a few industry-leading, board-certified dermatologists for their neck-tightening tips and preventative practices. Keep scrolling to learn how to tighten and smooth the skin under your chin.

Meet the Expert

Roberta Del Campo, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist who specializes in medical and cosmetic dermatology.
Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami.
Helen Flamenbaum, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

01 of 08

Use Retinol for Neck Firming

For board-certified dermatologist Roberta Del Campo, MD, Retin-A (or retinoic acid) is a hero product for neck firming. "[Retinol] is a vitamin that helps speed up cell turnover and increases collagen production," she says. "It is FDA-approved for treatment and prevention of wrinkles and has decades of science backing its effectiveness." Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, agrees with Del Campo, adding that because the neck is a sensitive area, it's best to start with a small amount or lower concentration and increase as you build up a tolerance.

02 of 08

Consider Micro-Needling

A less expensive treatment recommended by Del Campo is micro-needling, wherein tiny needles are rolled or stamped over the skin, creating miniature injuries meant to promote skin repair and collagen production. Many have touted the treatment's ability to lift droopy, sagging skin. It also has the added benefit of treating dark spots, uneven skin tone, and enlarged pores at the same time. Plus, it helps whatever product you apply on top (be it a serum or editor-approved neck tightening cream) absorb better, too. The treatment costs anywhere between $200 and $700.

Byrdie Tip

If you're using any intense topical treatments—aka any that contains retinol—you should discontinue use a few days before your micro-needling treatment, as harsh products could irritate the skin.

03 of 08

Apply Products Upwards to Reduce Sagging Skin

By now, we know the importance of diligently slathering on a neck cream daily, but when it comes to how actually to apply it, many are not as versed. According to Helen Flamenbaum, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group, the neck area ages at a more rapid pace. "The skin on your neck is a little bit thinner than your face, and the muscle and skin tissue [are] weaker," she explains. For this reason, you'll want to use gentle pressure when applying your neck products, as tugging might lead to signs of aging more quickly. To try to avoid sagging and loosening neck skin, always move in upward strokes along your neck.

04 of 08

Try Neck Patches to Add Lift

We're not new to the concept of beauty patches. Whether it's for acne or blackheads, beauty patches come in all forms, and they're loved in the beauty world for their quick results, ease of use, and versatility in being able to wear multiple at the same time. If you've been busy building your collection of turtlenecks, consider incorporating neck patches into your skin routine. SiO Beauty's NeckLift Patch ($30) is made up of skin-hugging medical-grade silicone that, when left on overnight, promises to let you wake up to hydrated, silky-smooth skin. According to the brand, medical-grade silicone brings moisture up from the lower layers of the skin, which results in plump skin come morning. And because the patches are compressed onto the neck, it promotes a flat, smooth surface free of lines.

05 of 08

Apply a Sunscreen Consistently

Flamenbaum says that the fact that your neck and face are in very close proximity means things like sun damage and other issues relating to damage from environmental elements affect your face and neck pretty much simultaneously. Del Campo agrees, explaining how adequate sun protection with a mineral-based sunblock and a retinoid nightly will see much better results, as they are not only improving their skin quality but preventing the loss of collagen, which is harder to fix as you get older. Opt for mineral-based sunscreens versus chemical ones, as they usually protect against both UVA and UVB rays and are known to have non-irritating formulas, making them suitable for sensitive skin types. We're fans of the Cloud 9 100% Mineral Sun Balm SPF 40 ($26) from Supergoop!—it's especially hydrating thanks to murumuru and shea butter and can be used on the face and body for all-over protection.

06 of 08

Do Neck Exercises to Encourage Tightness

When you think of exercising, what comes to mind? A toned buttocks, strong abs, and tight arms, perhaps. But proponents of facial yoga say the 26 muscles on the neck need some working out, too. Though there aren't any published studies backing up the effectiveness of skin exercising, facial yogis swear by the neck-tightening effects it has. Here's one to try: raise your head so that your chin is facing upward, then move your jaw forward to feel a slight stretching in your chin. Hold this position for five seconds and repeat ten times. While it's unlikely that you'll be able to reverse the damage of a saggy neck, doing such an exercise regularly might encourage tightness, lift, and volume.

07 of 08

Stimulate Collagen With In-Office Treatments

While preventative measures are ideal, if you weren't diligent in caring for your neck before symptoms of skin degradation appeared, there are some noninvasive, collagen-stimulating procedures that can help reverse signs. Woolery-Lloyd recommends Ultherapy (or high-intensity focused ultrasound), which is meant to work deep below the skin's surface to jump-start collagen production and then lift and tighten the skin. Flamenbaum agrees that this is a smart age-reversing measure but says that results will be better for younger patients with a lesser degree of skin laxity (or looseness). She also notes that up to 20 percent of patients may experience minimal to no improvement. The results for such a treatment are impressive (lifted, tauter skin that appears years younger), though it comes at a cost, oscillating between $1000 and $5000.

08 of 08

Incorporate a Facial Roller to Boost Lymphatic Drainage

That cool paint brush-looking tool you see pop up all of your Instagram feed? It's more than just a pretty image—it's called a facial roller. If you're not into mastering the art of facial yoga, try incorporating a face roller into your skincare routine. It has the same benefits as a facial massage and is touted as being a powerful anti-aging tool that encourages lymphatic drainage, increases blood flow, and reduces the appearance of puffiness. The neck is made up of many lymph nodes, so you may want to lend this area a helping hand when it comes to lymphatic drainage. Enter facial rollers, which are meant to help with eliminating toxins and thus promote an even, smooth surface. Or treat yourself to a neck massage using one of our top choices for neck massagers.

Byrdie Tip

If you've had a long night and notice your skin is looking extra puffy, try popping your facial roller into the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling. The cooling feeling will help diminish puffiness and fine lines.

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

Alster TS, Graham PM. Microneedling: A review and practical guide. Dermatol Surg. 2018;44(3):397-404. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001248

8 Ways to Tighten Neck Skin for Smooth Results, According to Dermatologists