As we get older, our skin starts to lose its elasticity and firmness thanks to declining collagen and elastin, and damage from sun exposure and other environmental aggressors.
It's especially noticeable in those areas that see the most sun exposure: our faces, hands, feet, and chest and neck. From sagging skin and jowls to turkey neck, chicken skin, hyperpigmentation and age spots, wrinkles, to double chins and skin that looks loose and leathery, what exactly can we do to smooth and tighten our neck area when we start to notice signs of aging? And what does it mean when our neck is aging faster than our face?
Medical Aesthetic Consultant, Dr. Anoob Pakkar-Hull, at Harley Street Specialist Hospital, offers his insights into ways we can help our chest and neck area to look younger and more radiant.
Why does my neck look old?
“The main reason is that as we age, our collagen levels start to fall. As you may know, collagen is a protein that plays a major role in strengthening your skin, as well as in elasticity and hydration. As collagen levels start to decrease, so does the plumpness and youthfulness of your skin,” says Dr. Pakkar-Hull.
“Another factor is that historically we have never given the same attention to the neck as we do to the face. You can often see the demarcation of treatment, where the face is smooth and wrinkle-free, whereas the neck often isn’t treated, and you can see the signs of aging.” This can happen as a result of your neck being more exposed to harmful UV rays from the sun without SPF protection or ample hydration.
“Finally, the amount of time spent on mobile phones is starting to contribute to aging of the neck. Repeated movements of looking down can lead to wrinkles and affect blood flow to the neck.
“We could say the neck is destined to fail with all these factors going against it. The good news is there are a few ways we can prevent and treat aging of the neck.”
How can I make my neck look younger?
1. Protect & Hydrate With SPF
Prevention is always better than cure, and SPF is your skincare savior here. Apply regularly every day (yes, really) for your best protection against aging!
“Start off by investing in a high-quality 50+ SPF and moisturizer. Make sure you’re hydrating yourself adequately,” says Dr. Pakkar-Hull. That means plenty of water to hydrate from the inside out and plenty of hydrating ingredients in your skincare.
“When choosing these products, keep an eye out for the ones that contain hyaluronic acid or glycerine – these will help,” says Dr. Pakkar-Hull. They’re super hydrating, and hydrated skin creates the perfect base for effective skin regeneration and collagen production.
“I think the most common misconception when it comes to anti-aging for the neck is that it’s not part of your face and therefore deserves less care. For example, most people apply SPF to their faces, but often ignore the neck because they think it’s somehow protected by their head,” says Dr. Pakkar-Hull.
2. Replenish Your Collagen Levels
“I’d recommend looking into ways to replenish your collagen levels,” suggests Dr. Pakkar-Hull. “Whether it’s internally, by kickstarting your own collagen formation processes with micro-needling for example, or by having collagen supplementation – tablets, drinks, or collagen injections.”
Vitamin C is a great way to kickstart collagen production. Try vitamin C supplements or skincare that contains vitamin C.
3. Perfect Your Neck Care Routine
“The skin on your neck is just as important as the skin on your face – so whatever you’re doing for your face, extend it to your neck and décolleté. It’s as simple as that,” shares Dr. Pakkar-Hull.
“I’d go for a good cleanser, a good serum, a moisturizer, and then a high-quality SPF after that. Make sure to do your skincare routine in the morning and at night before bed.”
Be aware that if you’ve never applied skincare to your neck, you may need to do so slowly and gradually to avoid any irritation or reactions. Our neck and décolleté can be thin and sensitive so take it easy!
4. Choose The Right Skincare
Don’t forget regular exfoliation to buff away dead skin cells too. Without exfoliation, a layer of old skin builds up that can make you look older.
Try out tightening, firming, and smoothing anti-aging skin care specifically for your neck, chest, and décolleté area. You can also extend your retinol over your neck, as well as your face. Take care when you first use it and do so gently then increase frequency over time to help prevent any skin irritation.
As a general rule, stocking up on antioxidants, vitamin C and SPF in the morning, and using retinol in the evening is a good rule of thumb. Since retinol can cause a reaction, it’s best to keep it away from sunlight as much as possible, which is why slathering on your sunscreen is even more important the day after retinol application!
Top tip: Apply your products with upward strokes to avoid dragging any loose skin down further.
5. Massage with Gua Sha
Massaging your jaw, and neck with a Gua Sha or facial roller can help to smooth any puffiness and help to advance lymphatic drainage. Work in smooth motions upwards from your chest towards your jaw and chin. To streamline your jaw, use the indent in your Gua Sha for your jaw and smooth from your chin to your ear on each side to banish puffiness.
6. Get Regular Exercise
Keeping yourself in shape with regular exercise can help to improve the appearance of your jaw, neck, and décolleté too. Although this isn’t the place you automatically think of losing weight when you exercise, it all matters. Weight loss may help to make your neck look slimmer.
7. Try An At-Home Chemical Peel
At-home exfoliating chemical peels are known to provide instant smoothness, softness, and glow to this area.
8. Explore Injectables, Botox, Laser & Radiofrequency Treatments
“Micro-needling is a great introduction to neck rejuvenating aesthetic treatments. It involves using multiple tiny injections to boost the skin's natural collagen production. This treatment will help prevent further damage to your skin, however, it isn’t a one-off treatment, you’ll need to invest in a few sessions,” suggests Dr. Pakkar-Hull.
“One good option is skin boosters. Skin boosters are injectable hydrating products that help recondition skin, prevent damage and slow the aging process across your skin."
“Adding those to a good skin regime will do your neck wonders. However, do seek good, personalized advice from your aesthetician as certain products and treatments could be well suited to you, while others aren’t.”
If you’re still not happy, visit your dermatologist or aesthetician to explore what other anti-aging neck treatments and procedures are available to you.
Botox can help to smooth the appearance of lines and wrinkles, while radiofrequency can tighten loose skin, and laser treatments can reduce redness and broken blood vessels.
From loose and leathery, to lifted and toned with a few simple steps!
