Here’s something many people aren’t ready to accept: Your face isn’t giving away your age, it’s your neck. Your multi-step skincare routine might get rid of hyperpigmentation and under-eye circles, but if it doesn’t cover your neck, you’re doing it wrong.
COSMETIC PROCEDURES
Want to keep your skin healthy and youthful from the shoulders up? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a closer look at the signs and reasons of neck ageing, and what you can do to achieve a rejuvenated appearance:
Signs of an Ageing Neck
Here are some signs of neck ageing you should not overlook:
Sagging Skin – Collagen and elastin levels naturally decrease with age. As a result, the skin around your neck loses elasticity and becomes saggy. This is called having a turkey neck.
Wrinkles – Horizontal lines, commonly known as neck lines, appear due to skin laxity and extensive sun damage.
Neck Bands – These are vertical bands and appear when your neck muscles weaken and begin to separate.
Loss of Jawline Definition – When neck skin and fat shift, the jawline becomes less defined.
Sun Damage – When your neck is continuously exposed to the sun without a protective layer, you will notice signs of aging, such as spots and uneven skin tone.
Reputable neck and face surgeon Georgios Orfaniotis can determine the best course of action, be it a neck lift or the usage of topical creams.
Why Necks Age Faster
Neck wrinkles are a natural part of skin ageing. That said, numerous factors and lifestyle choices exacerbate the process. For instance, poor posture is one of the leading causes of sagging and reduced jawline definition.
This is also known as a tech neck, generally caused when you spend a lot of time looking down at your phone or computer. In such situations, even anti-aging serums and creams aren’t helpful.
Smoking is another leading cause of neck ageing. Smoking reduces collagen production and restricts blood flow to the skin. Your neck skin loses elasticity, leading to wrinkles and sagging.
Genetics, too, plays a huge role in neck ageing. But this can be managed with a high SPF sunscreen.
Ways to Give Your Neck a Youthful Appearance
So, what can you do to bring that youthful appearance back? Here’s a closer look:
Do Neck Exercises – Neck stretching exercises can help improve your posture and motion. For instance, you can stretch the side neck, diagonal, and back muscles to improve tone and elasticity.
Use Topicals – This is pretty obvious. The same ingredients, such as vitamin C, retinol, and tripeptide, that help reduce fine lines and wrinkles of your face can do wonders for your neck as well. It’s all about building a comprehensive skincare routine that doesn’t overlook your neck and upper-chest area.
Surgeries – Surgical procedures are arguably the quickest and most effective ways to treat an ageing neck. For instance, a deep neck lift surgery can change in both the superficial and deep tissue layers. It can address jowls, heavy nasolabial folds, and sagging.
These methods will keep your skin looking its best.
Images by Alec Buca for Beauty SCENE.
