It may come as a shock to some that neck wrinkles may appear before face wrinkles. “The neck tends to age faster than our face because it is thinner; therefore, natural loss of collagen and elastin in the skin can lead to sagging, loose skin (laxity), and wrinkle formation more readily,” explains Dr. Caroline Robinson, who also cites constant neck motion, looking down at tech devices often (also known as “tech neck”), or inadequate protection from external stressors as potential causes. Though neck wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process, skin experts suggest there are ways to treat and delay their appearance.
The experts
Dr. Marisa Garshick is a New York City-based board-certified dermatologist and clinical assistant professor at Cornell University
Dr. Joyce Park is a board-certified and founding dermatologist at virtual clinic Skin Refinery and content creator at TeawithMD.
Dr. Caroline Robinson is a Chicago-based board-certified medical and cosmetic dermatologist and founder of Tone Dermatology.
Dr. Ira Savetsky is a New York City-based and board-certified aesthetic plastic surgeon.
“The best way to prevent neck wrinkles is a good daily skin care regimen, including sunscreen of at least 30 SPF, hydration, a healthy balanced diet, and avoidance of Instagram (just kidding), or at least elevating your smartphone so you are not constantly bending your neck,” advises Dr Savetsky, who mentions that our reliance on technology and no dedicated neck beauty regimen means this area might see wrinkles faster than the rest of the body.
Generally speaking, you should extend your facial treatments to your neck. “The principles of treatment for the neck and décolletage are the same as they are for the face, in that the goals are to protect, prevent, repair, and restore,” says Dr Garshick. “This means at the very least incorporating a moisturizer and a sunscreen for your neck as well, and consideration of other ingredients like antioxidants, retinols, peptides, and growth factors.” However, Dr Park emphasizes an important warning: “The neck skin is particularly sensitive, so I would not use harsh acids like AHAs or BHAs or even a strong retinoid on the neck without testing it out first.”
Besides your daily skin care routine, there are a handful of products and treatments dedicated to the needs of the skin along the neck. Due to its complex aging process that encompasses texture changes, loose skin, and uneven skin tone, Dr. Robinson recommends her patients use multiple methods to treat it. In-office treatments are a good starting point: microneedling to stimulate collagen, laser and chemical peels for evening tone, as well as Botox and fillers to address horizontal lines.
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