Collagen can strengthen and thicken the skin, according to some experts, which can help ward off the causes of turkey neck. But not all collagen supplements are created equal, which is why it's important to do your research to find the best collagen supplement.
An anti-aging skin care routine, including neck creams and lotions can help minimize collagen loss and tighten your skin. Laser skin resurfacing uses heat to rejuvenate your skin. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to lift and tighten your skin. Microneedling uses tiny needles to stimulate your skin to repair itself.
Initial results from collagen restoration treatments are usually visible immediately. However, new collagen growth can take anywhere from four to 12 weeks to complete. Keep in mind that while certain procedures can be very effective at restoring and replacing collagen, these results aren't permanent.
Studies show that retinoids can increase collagen production and protect collagen fibers from damage, reducing the fine lines and wrinkles—some of the most visible signs of skin aging. Since retinoids are typically so strong, start off by using them every other day, slowly building it up to a nightly application.
"You can improve tone on the neck, but the amount of collagen and elastin in the neck skin is less than most other areas on the body. You can't really tighten that area up that much, unless you move to the more surgical end of the spectrum."
Adding emollients and hydroxy acid cleansers to your skin care routine not only helps keep your skin from becoming crepey, but it also helps prevent further damage if your skin is already lax. Dr. Kassouf recommends retinol topical creams to help reduce that crepey look.
Constant movement of the neck is a contributing factor to loss of collagen and elasticity. A second reason age may begin to show in the neck earlier than in the face is the daily habit of staring at a computer and/or looking down at a cellphone every five minutes. Neglect is a third reason.
To ease crepey skin from within, you should ingest collagen from food sources. "Collagen-rich foods can significantly support skin hydration and elasticity," board-certified family physician and functional medicine expert Alejandra Carrasco, M.D., once told mbg.
Inadequate Vitamin D in the skin causes it to become thin, saggy, wrinkled, and weak. Your skin is your largest organ, so making sure it's strong and healthy is incredibly important in preventing premature aging.
Vitamin E not only protects the skin from wrinkles and fine lines, but it can also boost collagen production, speeding up cell regeneration and creating new skin growth. Studies have shown that ingesting vitamin E orally as a supplement dramatically increases protection against the breakdown of collagen.
Anti-aging lotions and serums can prevent and treat loose neck skin, particularly products containing niacinamide or tretinoin to improve skin elasticity, vitamin C to increase collagen production, retinol/vitamin A to stimulate collagen production and support cell turnover, and vitamin E to protect from sun damage.
"It can be hereditary, but is most often due to aging, UV damage or weight loss." Dr. Pollack explains that the neck's skin and muscles become loose once we reach age 40.
Factors like genetics, sun exposure and the quality of one's skin care routine can cause signs of aging to appear at different times for different patients. However, the majority of people notice that signs of aging like sagging and neck bands appear between the ages of 40 and 60.
How can I naturally rebuild collagen? You can naturally support the collagen production process by using topicals such as vitamin C and retinol, collagen peptide supplements, eating a nutrient rich diet, and avoiding habits that damage the collagen (such as poor sleep and sun exposure.)