Does Chewing Gum Help Turkey Neck? The Truth Revealed
If you’ve scrolled through TikTok or Instagram recently, you’ve probably seen the “jawline hacks.” Influencers everywhere claim that chewing a simple piece of gum for hours a day can chisel your jaw and tighten that stubborn, loose skin under your chin, often called “turkey neck.”
It sounds like the perfect solution: cheap, easy, and available at every grocery store checkout. But can a stick of gum really replace a cosmetic procedure? Before you stock up on bulk packs of gum, let’s look at the actual anatomy of your neck and what really works to tighten it.
The Short Answer is No, It Doesn’t.
Here’s the reality: chewing gum will not fix turkey neck.
While the idea is appealing, it’s based on a misunderstanding of how facial muscles work. When you chew gum, you’re primarily exercising the masseter muscles. These are the large muscles on the sides of your jaw responsible for biting and chewing.
Turkey neck, however, is caused by issues with the platysma muscle and the skin overlying it. The platysma is a thin sheet of muscle that stretches from your collarbone up to your jaw. As we age, this muscle weakens and can separate into vertical bands. Combine that with thinning skin and small pockets of fat, and you get the dreaded turkey neck appearance.
Chewing gum does not target the platysma muscle effectively. In fact, constantly working your jaw muscles can lead to bulky masseters (making your lower face look wider) and can even cause issues like TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain or tension headaches.
The Takeaway: You can’t spot reduce neck fat or tighten loose skin just by chewing. While gum might wake up your jaw muscles, it won’t lift the skin on your neck.
So, What Actually Causes Turkey Neck?
To treat the problem, you have to understand the source. Turkey neck is rarely just one thing. It’s usually a combination of three factors:
Skin Laxity: As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen and elastin. Without these proteins, skin loses its firmness and begins to sag due to gravity.
Platysmal Banding: The neck muscle (platysma) weakens and separates, creating those vertical cords that look like a turkey’s wattle.
Submental Fat: Sometimes, a small pad of fat accumulates under the chin. Even with weight loss, this genetic fat pocket often refuses to budge.
Real Solutions That Actually Work
At Northwest Face & Body, we see patients every day who’ve tried facial yoga, specialized creams, and yes, chewing gum, with little to no success. Fortunately, there are medical-grade treatments that can actually restore a smooth, youthful contour to your neck.
1. Neck Liposuction (For the Fat)
If your main concern is fullness under the chin (a double chin) rather than loose skin, neck liposuction is often the gold standard. This minimally invasive procedure removes the excess fat cells permanently, revealing the natural definition of your jawline. It’s a favorite among our younger patients who have good skin elasticity but just can’t get rid of that genetic fat pocket.
2. The Neck Lift (For the Sag)
For true turkey neck (where loose skin and muscle bands are the issue), a neck lift (often combined with a facelift) is the most effective solution. During this procedure, our surgeons tighten the underlying platysma muscles (platysmaplasty) and remove excess, sagging skin. This creates a sharp, elegant angle between the chin and neck that no amount of exercise can achieve.
3. Non-Surgical Options
Not ready for surgery? We offer advanced non-surgical alternatives for milder cases:
- Kybella: An injectable treatment that melts away fat cells under the chin over a series of sessions.
- RF Microneedling: A powerful combination of microneedling and radiofrequency energy that tightens skin and stimulates collagen production deep within the tissue.
- Botox (The “Nefertiti Lift”): By strategically injecting Botox into the neck bands, we can relax the muscles pulling down on your jawline, giving you a temporary but noticeable lift.
Ready to Ditch the Gum and See Real Results?
Don’t waste another day on hacks that don’t deliver. Whether you need a non-surgical touch-up or a long-term solution, our providers from Northwest Face & Body are here to guide you.
Book Your Consultation Today at NW Face & Body, serving Kirkland, Bellevue, and the Greater Seattle Area.
