A turkey may be a welcome sight on the Thanksgiving dinner table, but definitely not on your neck. However, just like any other muscle in your body, your neck muscles weaken with age and lack of use, meaning they can't adequately support the overlying skin, says Wrinkle-Free-Skin-Tips.com. This process can cause your delicate neck skin to sag into what is known as a turkey neck. Fortunately, regular exercises can subtly build the muscles in the neck and improve circulation for a firmer appearance.
Neck Resistance Exercise
As with all neck exercises, make sure you are sitting or standing comfortably with your shoulders relaxed before starting. Position your mouth as if you are pronouncing the letter "o," says the Anti Aging Skin Care Guide website. Keeping your mouth in this position, use your index fingers to create resistance by pulling the sides of your mouth down and hold the tension for a few seconds. You should feel your neck muscles working to maintain the "o" shape. Relax and do three sets of 20 rapid repetitions.
Neck and Jaw Extension
Loose neck skin can often start with sagging around the jaw line, but this exercise to stretch the neck and strengthen the jaw muscles can help keep the skin firm and toned. Sit up straight and tilt your head back so you're looking at the ceiling, a little way in front of you rather than directly above your head, says the TargetWoman health and lifestyle website. Bring your lower lip up over your top lip as if you are trying to touch it to your nose and hold for five seconds. You should feel the skin pull tight over your jawbone and your neck muscles tighten. Return to the start position, then repeat the exercise up to 10 times.
Head and Neck Lift
This exercise builds and strengthens your neck muscles, which will help pull the overlying skin tauter and diminish the appearance of folds and wrinkles. You should feel the muscles at the front and sides of your neck working as you perform these lifts. While lying on your back, raise your head and neck about an inch off the floor and turn your head to the right then to the left, says the Anti Aging Skin Care Guide website. Relax your head down to the floor, then repeat the exercise as many times as you can. It's important that you perform the movements gently and slowly, taking care not to jerk your neck, and that you stop immediately if you feel any pain.
Mock Chewing Exercise
Chewing is not only a necessary part of eating, it's also great exercise for your neck. Keeping your lips closed, tilt your chin slightly up toward the ceiling, then open and close your top and bottom teeth as if you were chewing a stick of gum, says the Face Lift Advice website. Aim for 20 repetitions, making sure the movement is slow and controlled and your mouth stays closed throughout the exercise. To ensure your neck muscles get a workout between exercise sessions, you should also make a point of chewing your food slowly and thoroughly at each meal.
Tongue Press
While doing this exercise, you should feel tension in the soft skin under your chin; if you do, you know you're performing the action correctly, says the Shape Your Face website. Sit or stand and drop your head back so you're looking at a point on the ceiling slightly ahead of you. In this position, press your tongue firmly against the roof of your mouth, lower your chin down to your neck, then slowly tilt your head back to the start position. Repeat the chin presses at least 10 times, keeping your tongue against the roof of your mouth at all times.
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