Do Turkey Neck Exercises Actually Work?
“Turkey neck exercises,” the videos promising to smooth a sagging neck with a bit of face yoga, rack up millions of views. But can simple moves really erase loose skin and restore a defined jawline? Below, Philadelphia board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Brannon Claytor shares what science (and decades of neck-rejuvenation experience) tells us about exercises, non-surgical technologies, and his signature neck-lift techniques.
Why does a “turkey neck” form in the first place?
Age, genetics, sun damage, weight changes, and gravity weaken the platysma muscle (vertical bands of muscle along the neck), thin the skin, and allow fat to accumulate beneath the chin. The result is loose, drooping tissue often called a turkey neck.
Can exercises tighten a sagging neck?
The evidence is thin
Facial-exercise routines can tone muscles, but there is little scientific proof that they meaningfully tighten skin or erase deep neck laxity.
Subtle, not surgical results
Daily neck moves may offer subtle improvement for mild muscle slackness—and they’re generally harmless to try—but any visible change is typically modest at best and falls short of what patients expect from professional treatments.
To put it simply, neck exercises are no match for moderate to severe sagging neck skin or prominent neck bands.
““I can’t say enough wonderful things about Dr. Claytor, and the entirety of his staff. This was my second procedure with him- from initial consultation through procedure and follow up, you can tell that he cares immensely for both his patients and his staff. I wish more doctors were like Dr. Claytor!!! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend his practice to anyone. If you are wanting a surgeon that you know you can trust, and that will care for you and give you excellent results – he’s your guy!””
Proven Non-Surgical Options for a Turkey Neck
When concerns are early or mild, Philadelphia neck lift expert Dr. Claytor recommends office-based treatments that stimulate collagen or refine contours without surgery:
| Concern | Med Spa Treatment | How It Helps |
| Uneven tone & crepey skin | CO2 laser skin resurfacing or IPL | Heat energy triggers collagen renewal for smoother texture and tighter skin |
| Fine lines & mild laxity | Morpheus8 RF microneedling | Microneedling + radiofrequency tightens deeper dermis for firmer neck skin |
| Vertical muscle bands | Botox® (platysma “Nefertiti” injections) | Temporarily relaxes tight cords, softening neck lines |
| Early fat pocket | Kybella® | Dissolves small fat deposits with no downtime |
| Skin texture & laxity | LaMiNa (Dr. Claytor’s proprietary combination of CO2 laser resurfacing, microneedling, & nanofat infusion) | Stimulates skin regeneration to improve firmness, reduce crepey texture, and enhance overall neck contour |
Minimally Invasive Options To Improve A Sagging Neck
For patients who may need more targeted treatments yet not full surgery, Dr. Claytor often recommends minimally invasive options, which may include:
1. Submental liposuction to debulk fat and correct a “double chin” appearance
2. MyEllevate® neck lift suture system to elevate and support neck tissue
3. Precision Tx™ laser liposuction to tighten loose skin and melt residual fat (performed in conjunction with MyEllevate only)
Dr. Claytor performs these procedures using tiny entry points under local anesthesia, with most patients back to normal activities within a few days.
Gold-Standard Solution: Dr. Claytor’s Comprehensive Neck Lift
When skin excess, heavy jowls, or a pronounced turkey neck dominate, neck lift surgery remains the only “one-and-done” fix, and Dr. Brannon Claytor’s neck lift sets a high bar. During the operation, he works on the deeper anatomy, first releasing and elevating the platysma muscle (a step called platysmaplasty) before meticulously trimming excess skin.
This deep-structural approach reshapes the neck from the inside out, creating a smooth, elegant contour that looks entirely natural and lasts for years.
Dr. Claytor’s two decades of facial rejuvenation experience ensure each neck lift (often combined with a facelift) is tailored to the patient’s unique anatomy, revealing a youthful, well-defined jawline that exercises and topical treatments simply cannot achieve.
Neck treatments in Philadelphia
Skip the turkey neck exercises and schedule a personalized assessment with Dr. Brannon Claytor to explore non-surgical, minimally invasive, and surgical solutions. Call our Bryn Mawr plastic surgery center at 610-527-4833 today.