Sagging skin, lines, creases and wrinkles, can't always be hidden under turtle necks, especially as summer will soon be upon us, and winter wear will have to be packed away. The skin on your neck is the thinnest in comparison to the skin on the rest of your body. Therefore, crinkles, wrinkles, lines and creases do form here too. Often, the tendency is to apply skincare products, more on the face, but forgetting that the neck also needs the same tender loving care.
Causes of Wrinkles on your Neck
Two types of lines form on the skin of the neck - horizontal and vertical wrinkles.
Horizontal Wrinkles
The collagen diminishes and the skin on the neck forms horizontal wrinkles
Elastin weakens due to the onset of the aging process
Formation of horizontal wrinkles can also happen due to environmental aging and hormonal imbalances
With loss of collagen and elastin, the skin begins to lose its structure and the lines, creases and wrinkles make their appearance
Vertical Wrinkles
When the neck is continuously held in one position, vertical wrinkles form
Sleeping in a particular position continuously is also a cause for vertical wrinkles to form
Excessive exposure to the sun causes sun damage and formation of vertical wrinkles on the skin
Smoking
Smokers are more disposed to develop neck wrinkles than those who do not smoke. Smoking damages the skin and causes pre-mature aging and permanent damage to the skin, as it erodes the collagen and elastin in the skin.
Apart from wrinkles, the neck area is also vulnerable to aging spots.
Preventive Care
Quit smoking, if a smoker, to prevent those wrinkles from forming
Perk up your diet with anti-oxidants by eating fruits and vegetables rich in anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants are the best preventive mechanism and defense against factors that damage the skin with the breakdown of collagen and elastin, thereby speeding up the aging process. Anti-oxidants also reduce the damage of environmental toxins and pollutants. Anti-oxidants also help reduce stress and promotes better sleep patterns
Apply sunscreen to the exposed parts of the neck
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Hydrating your skin externally and internally is very important to have a younger, more firm skin on your neck. Additionally use topical moisturizers to hydrate the skin on your neck
Adequate sleep is another important factor to preventing aging skin on the neck
To tighten and firm the skin on your neck, perform neck exercises everyday
Posture also plays an important role in preventing wrinkles and sagging skin on your neck. Hold your head straight and keep your chin up thereby helping your neck vertebrae to be in a neutral position
Apply creams that contain Retinal-A or Retinol, as this helps increase the production of collagen, which in turn helps tighten and smooth the skin on your neck
Exfoliate the skin on your neck regularly to reduce the formation of wrinkles, lines and creases
Neck Exercises
Hold the skin of your neck down by pinching it between your thumb and forefinger. Then tilt your head back and pull the skin down. Repeat this exercise 10 times
Sit up straight, tilt your head back, keep your lips shut and use a chewing motion in your mouth to move your jaws. Working the muscles of the jaws helps remove horizontal line and neck wrinkles.
Close your eyes and your lips, tilt your head back and breathe in deeply. Then pucker your lips and kiss, stretching upwards as if to kiss the sky. Hold for 10 seconds then relax by lowering your chin, but keep looking straight ahead.