What's The Deal With Stubborn Neck Lines?
How to Get Rid of Neck Lines
Although it's been said that you can tell a person's age by looking at their neck, it's still often neglected in many skincare routines. You've probably been warned that you'll regret slathering on cleanser, serum, eye cream, and moisturizer on your face but not taking it to your neck. Whether or not you've chosen to ignore this unsolicited bit of advice, you can still develop deep-set horizontal creases that don't seem to have any connection to how you're applying your skincare products—or your actual age.
So, what's the deal with stubborn necklines? It turns out they're caused by a combination of natural aging and the daily activities we engage in. "Horizontal lines on your neck are caused by the same factors that cause wrinkles on other areas of your face, says New York City dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, M.D. "Weakening of the skin foundation, along with constriction of muscles under the skin, lead to skin folding and wrinkles that overtime will stick around even at rest."
All of the time you spend scrolling through your Instagram feed on your iPhone isn't helping, either. "The more we engage in activities that lead to the folding of the skin, the earlier lines and wrinkles will start to set in," explains Dr. Zeichner. "The increased use of mobile devices has led to a phenomenon known as tech neck. We are bending our heads down and folding the skin on the neck now more than ever. It is likely that this has contributed to the increase in neck wrinkles that we are seeing even in younger patients."
If you have more lines than other people, it doesn't mean that you're spending more time on your phone than they do, there are other factors that influence how your neck ages such as sun damage, smoking, and skin tone. "If the skin is damaged, then collagen and elastin are not functioning optimally and the skin cannot resist wrinkling or bounce back from folding the way that it should," Dr. Zeichner says. "People with lighter skin tend to be more susceptible to environmental aging and develop wrinkles at an earlier age than those with darker skin types."
To treat existing lines at home, Dr. Zeichner says it's important to use your anti-aging products on your neck in addition to your face. The skin on the neck is amongst the thinnest, making it more susceptible to environmental damage. In the morning, he suggests using products with antioxidant protection along with sunscreen. At night, he recommends a repairing, retinol-based cream formulated for the face, neck, and chest, which can help stimulate collagen.
In-office, lasers can be used to stimulate collagen and strengthen the skin foundation. Botox is another option, although not a permanent fix. The injection can help relax the muscles under the skin to prevent lines from forming. "When the effect of Botox wears off, the neck muscles will start to constrict again and re-fold the skin," explains Dr. Zeichner. "The effect of Botox typically lasts between three and five months."
Fillers can also be used as a form of treatment, however, if go this route, Dr. Zeichner says to proceed with caution. "Fillers can be injected directly into horizontal lines, however, this is a risky procedure," he says. "Since the skin is so thin and there is so much movement in the neck, it may lead to lumpiness."
How can you avoid necklines? In addition to elevating your tech devices so you aren't constantly bending your neck, Dr. Zeichner suggests using the appropriate skin care products in your routine that will help prevent them.
Bibliography: Lukas, E. (n.d.). How to Prevent and Get Rid of Neck Lines. Retrieved November 15, 2017, from http://www.instyle.com/beauty/skin/how-get-rid-of-neck-lines
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