Turkey Neck Rescue

by: Linda Robison / Facial Fitness Specialist @ ABZ

I'll show you how I firmed-up sagging neck skin. See which neck exercises worked & before after pictures.

It wasn't easy showing my turkey neck before and after pictures. I was embarrassed. But also excited that I was able to improve that neck waddle, gobble neck, sagging neck … without surgery!

Wondering how I got started? I began researching ways to get rid of a double chin, and that led me to neck and face exercises that helped tighten my double chin and sagging neck!

Natural fixes for turkey neck (a.k.a. Loose Neck Skin)

Let’s be honest—“turkey neck” isn’t the nicest term. I prefer calling it loose or sagging neck skin. Either way, the good news is: it can be improved with gentle, natural care at home.

Neck exercises and massage techniques can make a difference over time. (Scroll down to see my before-and-after pictures.)

At-home methods do take time and consistency. But if you’re frustrated by sagging neck skin, you’re not alone. It’s hard to hide—makeup and jewelry only go so far.

That’s why I believe these natural techniques are worth trying. They’re affordable, non-invasive, and with a little patience, they can help firm and smooth the neck. I’ve seen real changes myself, and I’m sharing what worked in case it helps you too.

Worth Knowing: If your skin is very loose home remedies might only go so far. For a dramatic lift, surgery is usually the only option. But if you’re curious what natural methods can do, check out my before-and-after photos below.

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Face and neck connection

There are 57 muscles in the face and neck, and they all work together as one system. That’s why focusing only once the neck won’t give great results—you need to train the entire area.

A full-face workout strengthens the muscles underneath, which helps lift and support the skin above. This is the foundation of any natural neck-firming routine.

Do neck exercises really work?

Some online sources, like Healthline, state:

And you know what? They’re right—to a point. You can’t remove loose skin with exercise alone. But that’s exactly why facial fitness expert Carolyn Cleaves recommends a two-part approach:

• Build up the muscles in the face and front of the neck through targeted exercises.
• Massage the skin to help smooth out lines, wrinkles, and that dry, crêpy texture.

Why both? Because it’s not just sagging—we’re also dealing with thin skin, fine lines, and poor circulation. When you support both the structure underneath and the skin on top, you give your neck the best chance to improve—naturally and gently.

What impacts your results

Everyone’s results will vary, but here are some things that can affect how well it works for you:

1. Age:  Younger folks often see better results since their skin is naturally more elastic and bounces back more easily.

2. Genetics: Your family history can affect how your face responds to exercises.

3. Skin stretchiness: If your skin can stretch easily, exercises might work better.

4. Doing exercises regularly: You need to practice often to see results.

5. Type and severity of facial aging: Severe sagging may not respond to exercises.

6. Healthy habits: Eating well, staying hydrated, sleeping enough, and managing stress can help.

7. Sun exposure: Too much sun (or lack of proper sunscreen use) can make exercises less effective by damaging your skin.

8. Expectations: It's important to have realistic expectations.

9. Existing health conditions: Some medical issues or skin problems could affect how well exercises work.

10. Getting help from a pro: A facial fitness expert can teach you the right way to do exercises for your face.

These factors affect how well exercises might work for you—and it’s always smart to check with your doctor or skincare professional before starting anything new.

Note: Since I’m over 60 in the after photos, I’m honestly happy with even a slight improvement. The full exercise routine made a difference—not just for my neck, but it helped firm up my face too.

What worked for me

Here is what I did to help firm my sagging neck:

1. Start with a basic Face and Neck Exercise workout

Try Carolyn's Facial Fitness (CFF) workout, which targets all the muscles in your face and neck. Spend just 15 minutes doing the full program three times a week. Once you see results in about 8 weeks, you can switch to maintenance sessions of 1-2 times a month.

I’ve tried many programs, but CFF was the only one I found easy and effective. I’ve been using it ever since!

2. Stick with it

Don't stop and start the exercises, or pick and select only the ones you like.

3. Take pictures

Continue with the weekly face exercise/neck program and take pictures weekly to track your progress. This is important because in the first 4-6 weeks you won't see much difference in the mirror, But, your pictures will pick up on the slightest changes. This will keep you motivated to continue.

Note: When taking pictures, make sure to take them at the same time of day, in the same place each time. This gives the best comparison.

4. Bonus Neck Exercises

This is optional, but some people might need or want additional improvements after doing the basic face and neck exercises.  After about 16 weeks, I saw improvements in my neck, but I wanted more. So, I added the following exercises to my weekly routine:

Bonus Exercise 2: Neck Strengthener 

How long to see results

It varies from person to person. I started noticing neck firming changes around 8 weeks. But I still wanted more lift, so I added bonus neck exercises around week 16—and that helped even more.

Other non-invasive options

What About Professional Treatments?

While I personally focused on natural methods like exercise, massage, and skincare, I know some people explore in-office options too—like Botox, Ultherapy, or laser treatments.

If you're curious about those, I’ve covered them in detail on my Sagging Neck: What Causes It &Treatments. Jump to Professional Treatments for Sagging Neck section here.

Many people with sagging neck skin also struggle with jowls. If that’s you, check out my page on lifting jowls without surgery.

Takeaway

I hope my story gives you a little encouragement if you’re feeling stuck or frustrated with your neck. These exercises aren’t a quick fix—but with time and consistency, they can help.

If you’ve got questions, feel free to reach out—or check out my related pages below!

FAQs

Additional  Information

Neck Wrinkles - See how to reduce them.

Sagging Neck - What causes the neck to sag over time?

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References:

CROWLEY, D., ed. The FlexEffect, Facial Resistance Training. FlexEffect Publishing Eureka, CA. 1998,1999.

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