Neck wrinkles : prevention and treatment

The fine lines and sagging on the skin of your neck and chest are natural signs of aging. Throughout your youth, your skin has used peptides like collagen and elastin to create a firm, elastic surface. As you age, you stop producing those proteins in large quantities. With fewer peptides to keep the skin elastic, neck lines are swift to follow.

While sluggish collagen production takes away the elasticity of your skin, movements and repeated motions will also determine how your neck lines present themselves. The area will age more extensively if you’ve spent a lifetime ignoring sunscreen and moisturiser. Fine lines have several other causes:

Natural ageing and collagen loss

The firmness of youthful complexions comes from the collagen and elastin that gives skin its structure. Both proteins form a tight, neat network that helps the skin to bounce back after movement without forming fine lines. The appearance of wrinkles is the direct result of fewer peptides.

Sun exposure and photoaging

Photoaging happens when sunlight breaks down the bouncy proteins in your skin. Exposure to UV rays also creates unstable molecules called free radicals. If your body doesn’t have enough antioxidants to neutralise them, tissue damage results. An SPF sunscreen can significantly reduce signs of aging by preventing both of these effects. A broad-spectrum sunscreen is the beating heart of every skincare routine, no matter your age.

Repeated movements and posture

Looking down on your computer or phone can cause creases that ultimately cause fine lateral lines. Reading in bed might place you in a similar position. A youthful neck relies on great posture.

Lifestyle factors

Smoking can undo the effects of even the best skincare routine. Not only does it cause free radical damage, but also dehydration. When your body is depleted of moisture, it loses elasticity, so always make sure you have a bottle of water on hand. Chronic insomniacs take even more damage. They call sleep “beauty rest” for excellent reasons. This is the time when your body switches into repair mode. Without that rest, damage builds up exponentially.

Genetics and skin type

Oily skin holds onto moisture, so it often ages more slowly. Your genes also have a role to play. Your DNA decides how well your tissue repairs itself, how quickly you stop producing proteins, and how protected you are against sunlight. In other words your parents are your best predictors of your future skin.