How to Get Rid of Neck Wrinkles

Neck wrinkles, also known as neck lines or neck creases, are a common concern as we age. As the skin loses its elasticity and collagen, fine lines and wrinkles tend to develop on the neck, giving away our age and sometimes causing self-consciousness.

Some choose to look for ways to get rid of neck wrinkles, reduce their appearance, or prevent future ones. LifeSavvy spoke with Dr. Suneel Chilukuri, Cosmetic & Dermatologic Surgeon at Refresh Dermatology, all about this common sign of aging, and how, if you want, you can address your neck wrinkles.

What Causes Neck Wrinkles?

Several factors contribute to the formation of neck wrinkles. The biggest reason is natural aging and loss of elasticity in your skin over time.

“Fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen and elastin in our skin, start working less and less after the age of 22,” said Chilukuri. “Collagen is the foundation providing structure to our skin, while elastin allows our skin to snap back when pulled.”

Exposing your skin to certain things repeatedly can cause a breakdown in your skin’s elasticity. Ultraviolet light, blue light, pollution, and repeated motions like chewing and talking can all lead to wrinkles according to Chilukuri.

It’s also worth noting that there are different types of neck wrinkles: vertical or horizontal.

Chilukuri explained that vertical neck lines are typically noticeable when a person is talking or straining. These are most often caused by using the plastyma, which is a muscle in your neck. On the other hand, horizontal neck wrinkles—while they worsen with age—are hereditary.

How to Get Rid of Neck Wrinkles

While it may not be possible to eliminate neck wrinkles once they occur, there are various effective ways to minimize their appearance, improve skin texture, and help keep your skin healthy.

Chilukuri suggested implementing a medical-grade skincare routine to help stop the breakdown of collagen and elastin in your skin. This will help reduce the appearance of aging in your neck, and this strategy is especially helpful for anyone dealing with hereditary lines.

“One of my favorite neck rejuvenation products is DefenAge’s 6-Week Perfection Neck Tightening Cream,” said Chilukuri. “It is infused with proprietary Age-Repair Defensins, which instruct your cells to rev up the production of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of healthy, youthful, and thicker-looking skin.”

If you’re battling hereditary, horizontal lines and you want more options, Chilurki suggested that soft tissue fillers or collagen stimulators sometimes help.

For anyone dealing with vertical wrinkles, Chilurki said implementing neuromodulators could be helpful. Botox, Daxxify, Dysport, Xeomin, and Jeuveau are a few examples. Chilurki explained that these wrinkle-relaxers help decrease activity in the muscles that eventually cause lines.

“For overall skin texture and improvement of fine lines, consider yearly or bi-yearly use of lasers, radiofrequency, ultrasound, or micro-needling to help stimulate and maintain collagen and elastin production,” said Chilurki.

Always remember that everyone’s skin is different. Make sure you implement a skincare routine that suits your specific needs. You may need to moisturize more than others or utilize neck exercises to achieve your preferred appearance. The best way to find your perfect option is to consult your dermatologist.

How to Prevent Neck Wrinkles

Prevention is key to maintaining smooth and youthful skin on the neck. There are many things you can do to prevent neck wrinkles and the strategy that works best may vary from person to person. However, there are a few things you can do that tend to help the majority of people.

The first step in this is proper sun protection. Wearing sunscreen with a high SPF on the neck daily can protect the skin from harmful UV rays and prevent premature aging and neck wrinkles.

Maintaining proper posture to reduce strain on your neck muscles can help prevent premature wrinkles. This goes hand in hand with limiting your screen time. Try to limit the time spent looking down at screens to minimize the strain on the neck and the risk of tech-related neck wrinkles.

You should also stay properly hydrated. Drinking plenty of water helps keep the skin healthy and supple, helping to prevent neck wrinkles caused by dryness.

It’s also worth noting that you should avoid smoking if you want healthy, happy skin. Regularly smoking can accelerate the aging process and contribute to the formation of wrinkles, including those on the neck.

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While it may not be possible to completely get rid of neck wrinkles or prevent them fully in the future, certain treatments and preventive measures can significantly improve the appearance of your skin. Consistent skincare, healthy lifestyle habits, and early intervention can make a remarkable difference in achieving a smoother and more youthful-looking appearance.