Your facial skin care routine is on point, but what about your neck?

At a certain age, most people find that their typical moisturizing routine is not enough to avoid common sings of aging. As a result many of us turn to different methods of skin care in hopes of preventing or at the very least slowing down the natural aging process. Some of these tools may include a variety of creams, serums, and cleansers, or cosmetic treatments to tighten the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles. About one year ago I came to the realization that while my facial skin care routine is great, I’ve been completely neglecting my neck.

Luckily I don’t have any significant signs of aging around my neck, but I have noticed horizontal lines across my neck that are seemingly becoming more and more evident. I also want to avoid these lines from getting worse, and find ways to prevent the dreaded turkey neck that comes with loose skin as we age. After doing some research I now have a course of action to tackle the aging process not only in my face, but in my neck and decolletage. Below is a list of factors that contribute to signs of aging in those areas, and what can be done to mitigate them.

Elasticity

Studies suggest that wrinkles can primarily be blamed on elasticity (or lack thereof), particularly in the neck area in which your skin is much thinner and less elastic than in other regions of the body.

As we get older our skin loses its elasticity due to changes in connective tissue, meaning that it is less likely to snap back to its original form once it is stretched. Based on this article by the National Library of Medicine, lastosis (the loss of elasticity) can also be affected by sun exposure as well as the general fact that our bodies produce less collagen and elastin (primary proteins responsible for repairing the skin, and the main components of connective tissue) as we get older, making it much harder for it to repair itself.

Because your neck is a more delicate area, it is more susceptible to developing common signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging, which is why tackling the causes early on is beneficial to maintaining the youthful appearance of that particular region.

Here’s what you can do to improve your elasticity and how to stimulate your own collagen production:

Wear sun protection (learn more about this in the following section).

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects and promotes collagen growth. It can be taken as a supplement, injected, or applied topically.

Add Retinoids to your regimen. Retinoids are Vitamin A derivatives that are known to stimulate collagen production and improve the overall quality of your skin. Studies demonstrate an improvement in facial wrinkles with the use of Retinoids, resulting in a tightening effect.

Bakuchiol is a meroterpine derived from the seeds of the Psoralea corylifolia plant and typically used in the form of a topical serum. It works through the same receptors as Retinoids, which is why it is commonly used to help prevent the formation of fine lines and wrinkles. Some people may prefer this option over Retinoids because it is less likely to irritate the skin and is a more natural alternative.

Peptides are short chains of amino acids which are known to aid in the formation of proteins (namely collagen and elastin). Many people use peptides in the form of either a serum or through injectables using microneedling devices to improve the quality of their skin. Based on this clinical trial, they help produce collagen and elastin in the skin by functioning as a signal for the body to produce more collagen and elastin, naturally resulting in improved elasticity.

Microneedling is a popular medical grade skin tightening treatment. It works through the use of a small hand held mechanical device equipped with several tiny needles that puncture the dermis, causing controlled micro damage to the treatment area. This triggers a reaction in the body to produce more collagen and elastin in order to repair the treated area. This study describes the many uses of the treatment and its benefits. Microneedling can be administered on various regions of the body, including the face, neck, and decolletage.

The platysmal bands in your neck are the vertical that you may notice protruding outward and flexing during workouts. For preventative purposes you can get Botox injected into your platysmal bands, which will relax this tension in the neck, reducing the chances of the skin on your neck to stretch.

Botox is a medical treatment that works by paralyzing the muscle in which it is injected. This restricts muscle contractions in the treated area, limiting tension. When your neck bands are flexed, your skin can stretch over time, which is the ultimate force behind the formation of “turkey neck”. Relaxing these muscles will reduce the tension as well as the risk of developing a saggy neck.

The results will last anywhere from 3 - 5 months and must be administered by injection using a small needle by a trained medical professional.

Sun Damage

A lot of us enjoy spending time in the sun and developing a nice summery bronze. Unfortunately, our skin becoming tan is actually an indicator that it is protecting itself from the sun by producing melanin, a natural skin pigment, which shields our outermost layer of the skin (epidermis) from the sun and produces vitamin D.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, too much UV exposure (typically coming from the sun or tanning beds) can cause damage to collagen once it reaches your dermis (the layer beneath the epidermis, which houses collagen, elastin, and other components that structure the skin), which can result in loss of elasticity, wrinkling, and leathery looking skin.

Your neck, which has much thinner and more delicate skin than other regions of your body, is especially susceptible to this potential harm. To prevent this from happening, it is important to protect your skin from UV radiation. I wear a minimum SPF 30 on my skin every day, no matter where I go and what I do to shield it from the sun as best I can. If I am having a beach day and know that I’ll be spending a lot of time exposed to the sun, I go higher in SPF and make sure to reapply it several times throughout the day.

You should also try to avoid things like tanning beds, which cause a significant amount of damage in a very short time due to the intensity of the UV radiation used for a quick tan. If not to reduce wrinkles and prevent aging, then please keep in mind that tanning beds are now officially reported to increase your chances of developing melanoma by 20%, squamous cell carcinoma by 67%, and basal cell carcinoma by 29%. ​​Instead, opt for a spray tan if you want a quick bronze.

Repeated Facial Expressions

Studies have provided evidence that excessive facial expressions may exacerbate in the formation of wrinkles in the face. If you see lines on your forehead when you raise your eyebrows (dynamic lines) for example, you may not have any wrinkles to begin with a relaxed face (static wrinkles) but the repeated movement over the course of several years gradually causes those lines to stay, forming permanent wrinkles. This wrinkle formation is aggravated as we age and lose collagen in our skin.

This is no different for your neck, meaning that different motions such as printing your chin down and flexing your platysmal bands can lead to the formation of wrinkles in your neck. While it is nearly impossible to completely avoid this, you can try to be more mindful of your posture and neck positioning.

Try to sit up straight, especially if you work from a desk and have a tendency to slouch.

Sleep on your back for a relaxed and level neck and chest.

Aging is completely normal and an inevitable course of nature. For most people, the main focus in reducing signs of aging is on the face, however the aging process does not discriminate. If you want to maintain an overall youthful appearance, don’t forget to focus on the areas that go hand in hand with your face, including your neck. With consistent care using the above mentioned tools, you can reduce and prevent the typical signs of aging in a safe and effective manner.