Skin loses some of its structure as you age, due to the breakdown of collagen, the protein that supports it, and elastin, the substance that keep your skin pliable. The breakdown of collagen and elastin means your skin begins to sag and wrinkle. The neck is one area in which many people notice saggy skin, which may manifest itself as a double chin or a wattle. Facial exercises, anti-aging products and cosmetic procedures are ways in which you can try to firm up your neck skin.
Exercises
Facial exercises that tone your neck muscles can help you control your sagging skin. Ageless, a South Africa-based herbal anti-aging website, suggests a series of simple head tilts that can help firm the skin around your throat. Sit in a chair and tilt your head back so you are looking at the sky. Try 10 to 20 repetitions of each of the following: puckering your lips upward and forward in a kissing pose; pretending you are chewing; trying to touch your tongue to your chin; and covering your top lip with your lower lip. You'll feel a stretch in your neck as you do each of these exercises, but they should not be painful. Try to hold each position--except for chewing, which is a continuous motion--for 10 seconds.
Topical Solutions
Topical creams and ointments that contain alpha hydroxy acid, retinol, copper peptides and coenzyme Q10 are grouped into the anti-aging category due to their purported ability to remove wrinkles and firm up the loose skin that is associated with growing older. According to MayoClinic.com, the results from anti-aging products vary widely and can be short-lived, meaning you will need to be committed to long-term applications of your chosen cream or ointment. Prolonged use from retinoid creams may irritate your skin. Your dermatologist may have recommendations about specific products based on his patients' experiences.
Plastic Surgery
A face lift, sometimes called a neck lift if you are focusing only on the loose skin around your neck and throat, can be an option for people who want a more effective and permanent fix for their problem. MayoClinic.com explains that this cosmetic procedure both removes extra skin that has gathered around your neck and tightens the muscles and soft tissue beneath the skin, so that the remaining skin will have a more firm and smooth appearance. Plastic surgery of this kind is often not covered by insurance, is painful and carries a risk of infection.
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