Fastest Way to Tighten Sagging Jowls & Turkey Neck

The platysma muscle, spanning from collarbone to jawline, is responsible for expressions like smiling and gasping. Because it is almost entirely fast-twitch, it responds to quick, explosive contractions rather than static stretches. Dr. Berg demonstrates this with a subject performing 10–15 rapid impulses, emphasizing that the muscle should feel very tired and sore afterward, which indicates it's being effectively worked. He recommends three sets with rest in between, done several times a week, and contrasts this with the common mistake of doing slow, sustained neck stretches that would lengthen and further loosen the muscle.

Dr. Berg notes that our modern diet of soft foods has led to underuse of the jaw muscles, which historically were strengthened by chewing tough, grass-fed meats. This weakness contributes to sagging in the lower face. The exercise he demonstrates involves holding the chin with one hand and opening the mouth against that resistance. This targets the muscles that open the jaw (depressors), a movement rarely performed under load. He prescribes 10 reps, three sets, with 30-second breaks, a few times a week. By strengthening these muscles and the associated connective tissue, the face can gain better definition and support.

As a complement to the jaw-opening exercise, Dr. Berg introduces the lower jaw jut. This movement involves pushing the lower jaw forward, which engages different muscle groups, particularly those responsible for protrusion. He suggests 10 repetitions per set, three sets with 30-second rests, a few times a week. He emphasizes that these muscles are even more neglected than the jaw openers, and working them can add to the overall tightening and restructuring of the lower face.

Dr. Berg explains that mental stress is the primary trigger for cortisol release, which over time degrades facial structures by promoting protein breakdown and fat redistribution (the 'cortisol face'). He shares a personal anecdote of experiencing cortisol face, possibly from taking cortisol medication in his twenties. The antidote he proposes is simple physical motion—walking—because it burns off the accumulated cortisol. Pairing mental stress with physical walking creates a balance that mitigates the hormonal damage. He positions this as a practical, everyday strategy to protect the face from stress-induced aging.

Dr. Berg explains that the platysma extends from collarbone to jawline and is responsible for expressions like smiling and gasping. Because it's composed almost entirely of fast-twitch muscle fibers—lightning-speed fibers meant for explosive contractions—slow, sustained stretches fail to engage it properly. Instead, the muscle needs quick, high-impulse contractions to tighten. The exercise he demonstrates involves 10–15 rapid impulses targeting the under-chin area, with rest between sets, which makes the muscle sore but super effective. He warns that never doing sustained holds avoids over-lengthening and further sagging. This insight shifts the approach from static flexibility to explosive neuromuscular activation.

Dr. Berg explains that the face is a highly sensory organ dense with hormone receptors, making it particularly vulnerable to cortisol released by negative emotions like anger, fear, grief, and depression. Over time, this cortisol wears down facial structures, accelerating sagging and aging. He shares that he personally experienced 'cortisol face' (fat accumulation) possibly from taking cortisol medication in his twenties. The key antidote, he argues, is not ignoring stress but pairing it with physical motion, specifically walking, to metabolize the cortisol. Because cortisol is activated mainly by mental stress, physical activity burns it off, acting as a buffer. He emphasizes that motion and exercise, particularly walking, are the best way to deal with cortisol and thereby protect facial integrity.

Dr. Berg points out that the jaw muscles, along with ligaments, tendons, and fascia around the lower face, are underused because of modern soft foods. He contrasts our current diet with the past, where eating grass-fed, grass-finished meat required prolonged mastication, naturally building up the facial structure 'really, really nice.' To compensate, he offers a jaw resistance exercise: holding the chin and opening the mouth against resistance, mimicking the load that tough foods would provide. He also notes a secondary benefit: such muscular work may help support and possibly influence underlying bone structure, keeping the face looking younger. He recommends performing these exercises several times a week to gradually reverse the muscle atrophy from dietary habits.