PROVEN Team
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Neck wrinkles: A Science Backed Approach
Fine lines on your neck? Science may have a solution. Read on to learn all about neck wrinkles.
Resource by: PROVEN Team
In this section
Neck Lines and Wrinkles: Everything You Need To Know
One of the most commonly neglected areas of skincare routines is the neck. Because of this, it’s often said that an easy way to tell a person’s real age is by looking at their neck. While applying various cleansers, serums, and moisturizers may help, neck lines are just as common as any other wrinkle and are a natural part of aging. Therefore, some amount of neck wrinkling is inevitable, but there are plenty of factors that contribute to their severity. While some of these factors can not be controlled, there are a number of them that can be, and all it takes is a few lifestyle changes.
What Causes Neck Lines?
All wrinkles form based on a mixture of the same factors. A combination of the aging of the skin, breakdown of collagen and other elastic tissues, and movements. This is especially true of the neck, as the skin found here will tend to be thinner, and the thinner the skin is then the faster it will be affected by aging. This is the same reasoning as why your eyes will show fine lines before other parts of your face.
As people age, their skin will become less resilient due to less collagen and elastic tissue that helps to rebound it to its original shape. There are other factors that will contribute to this, but more on that later.
When the natural effects of aging are combined with daily movements, neck lines will begin to form and deepen. Horizontal lines will start to form in the neck as a result of bending the neck in order to look down. You will also begin to create some of the more fine lines and wrinkles along the sides of the neck as a result of turning side to side or sleeping on your side.
While people are often very meticulous when applying sunscreen to their face, and other parts of their body, they often forget about the neck.
A 2013 study found that regular sunscreen use has the ability to slow down the signs of aging skin. On top of keeping your skin hydrated, you should definitely remember to keep it protected from the sun as well. Sun exposure is especially damaging to people that have lighter skin tones. The best way to prevent damage from sun exposure is to avoid direct exposure from 10 AM to 3 PM whenever possible, wear protective clothing against the sun, and use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more as often as possible.
One of the most crucial factors related to wrinkles is genetics. While there isn’t anything that you can do about changing your genetics, you should know whether they are putting you in a higher risk for wrinkles and other symptoms of premature aging.
Studies have shown that the lighter a person’s skin is, the sooner they will experience signs of wrinkling and sagging. For example, wrinkle formation in the lower areas of the face are delayed by nearly 10 years for Chinese women when compared to French women.
Smoking cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe can accelerate the normal aging process of your skin and contribute to wrinkles. The nicotine that’s found in tobacco products causes blood vessels to narrow, which will reduce the oxygen flow and nutrients to skin cells. Other chemicals found in smoke can trigger molecular events that will remodel or damage structures that are necessary for the elasticity of skin and it’s health. In addition, the heat and smoke involved with smoking will dry out and damage the surfaces of the skin. The more that you smoke and the longer that you smoke, the more pronounced the wrinkles you will create.
Some of the changes that are brought on and enhanced by smoking include:
- Crow’s feet
- Pronounced lines between the eyebrows
- An uneven skin complexion
- A grayish skin tone for lighter skin
- Deep crease and puffiness underneath the eyes
- Wrinkles around the mouth
- Thinner lips
Ways To Reduce and Prevent Neck Lines
The natural aging process and genetics are two highly influential factors that contribute to neck lines. While there is nothing that can be done about these contributors, there are plenty of ways to naturally tend to neck wrinkles and most of it will come down to smart skin care. Many people forget to attend to the neck area as part of their daily moisturizing routines, so the first step is to remember to go below the chin during your morning and evening routines. Here are some of the best ways to fight back against new wrinkles:
People spend roughly five hours per day looking at their phones and this can lead to some serious neck aches and pain. As if that wasn’t bad enough, this repetitive motion can also contribute heavily to neck lines. All wrinkles are caused in large part to repeated movements, this is why squinting often will increase wrinkles around the eyes. The constant motion of looking down at your phone will cause your neck to crease.
Over time, these creases will eventually turn into permanent wrinkles. When you are using your phone, try to position it in front of your face and look straight forward. It may feel a bit strange at first, but this minor tweak can do a lot to help reduce the formation of neck lines.
Vitamin C has wonderful antioxidant properties that can be great for the skin. Studies have shown that the vitamin can actually even reverse some of the damage that is caused by ultraviolet rays and other environmental factors. Wrinkle reduction in the study was observed at 12 weeks, so it’s best to stick with the serum for at least three months.
As mentioned previously, exposure to the sun can result in damaging your skin and causing wrinkles. It’s best to wear sunscreen of at least 15 SPF, but ideally you should aim for between 30 and 50 SPF, even if it’s overcast. Ultraviolet rays can still penetrate clouds, so don’t skip on the sunscreen just because it’s cloudy.
Smoking is one of the most prominent causes of premature aging, so if you currently smoke then you should stop. The tobacco smoke will damage your collagen, while the nicotine will cause blood vessels to restrict resulting in your skin getting less oxygen and looking older and more wrinkled. A 2013 study conducted on identical twins found that those who smoked had significantly more wrinkles than their twin that did not smoke.
Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and are among the most studied and celebrated anti-aging ingredients. Some products will have a higher percentage of retinol with two percent being the highest available without a prescription.
It’s best to start with a small amount every few days. Otherwise, this ingredient can cause dryness and peeling. These are the five types of retinoids that are used in the treatment of wrinkles:
- Retinyl palmitate: This is the least potent over the counter retinoid and best for anyone with sensitive or excessively dry skin.
- Retinaldehyde: This is an over the counter retinoid that is stronger than retinol.
- Tretinoin: This is a highly potent retinoid and is only available by prescription.
- Tazarotene: The most powerful retinoid and only available by prescription.
- Adapalene: This retinoid is now available over the counter.
Most people remember to moisturize their face daily, but it’s easy to forget about the neck. There are even products available now that are made specifically for the neck. A 2015 study showed that one unspecified neck cream had a “rapid and continuing ability” to improve “self-perceived” signs of aging on the neck, including wrinkles and fine lines.
Hydrating the skin will also help it to look plump so wrinkles are less visible, along with helping to prevent future creases from forming. Look for a moisturizer containing hyaluronic acid, which according to a 2014 study, has a “statistically significant moisturizing effect”.
The Takeaway
Unfortunately, wrinkles and neck lines are a natural part of the aging process and can’t be completely avoided. That being said, there are plenty of ways that you can help to reduce the factors that contribute to them and help keep your skin as healthy as possible.
Eventually, your skin will begin to lose elasticity as a result of growing older and exposure to ultraviolet light over time. You may also notice premature wrinkles forming as a result of looking down at your phone, smoking, or not using sunscreen.
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