How to treat neck lines and wrinkles
The best ways to get rid of lines and wrinkles on the neck, West Malling, Kent
When the neck starts appearing old, it’s a moment when we realise ageing has crept up on us. The main culprits are crepey skin and neck wrinkles, which tend to go hand in hand. The problem is the neck is designed differently from other areas of the body. The skin here is thinner than on your face, which means that it collapses more easily into wrinkles and folds, particularly given the way we move, stretch, and compress our necks so frequently throughout the day. There are also fewer oil glands in neck skin to keep the skin supple, and this worsens for women when they hit the menopause and, thanks to the reduction in oestrogen, the skin gets drier and loses elasticity. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to improve the appearance of your neck, especially if you’re up for trying the latest treatments.
What causes a wrinkly neck?
We’ve covered movement and menopause, but the neck ages for all the same reasons as the skin on the rest of our body – collagen degradation. The dermis, the layer that contains collagen, is very thin, making it more prone to ageing than other parts of the body. Most of us give our neck less attention when it comes to sun protection and skincare, too. Cumulative sun exposure over a lifetime has always been the main cause of crepey skin and wrinkles in this area.
We also spend a lot of time with our heads bent forward looking at our devices, which presses the wrinkles in the neck more firmly into place – we often refer to this as ‘tech neck’. We also know that devices such as TVs, computer screens, and mobile phones give out blue light – also called high energy visible (HEV) light – which has the potential to age the skin in a similar way to UV light.
Is it possible to smooth wrinkles and tighten the neck without surgery?
There are a few ways that you can tighten the skin on the neck without resorting to surgery. You wouldn’t expect a treatment that is originally about hydrating the skin from the inside to be able to tighten the skin at the same time, but skin boosters such as Profhilo encourage ‘bioremodelling’ of the skin. This means the skin will begin to produce more of its own collagen and elastin and become firmer, smoother and a little tighter, too.
Ultrasound devices (we use Sofwave) have also been proven to stimulate the growth of new collagen from well below the surface. It involves generating enough heat within the skin that the collagen has been damaged. When it is damaged, it shrinks a little, so you get a small immediate tightening effect, and then, to try and repair itself, the skin produces more collagen, which helps strengthen, smooth and firm up the skin.
In the right device, RF Microneedling can be very effective in this area, too. Profound RF is slightly more invasive than other devices but provides incredibly effective tightening and lifting to the lower face and neck. It’s a unique treatment that combines microneedling and radiofrequency technologies for an advanced result. In studies, it has been shown to deliver the effect of a third of a facelift. Results develop over three months, up to a year, and last for two to three years.
Can Botox help?
Yes, toxins can also help with the appearance of neck wrinkles and can help to redefine the jawline, too. This is often referred to as the ‘Nefertiti neck lift’, which is better at softening tight bands of muscle down the neck, the ones that make the neck look stringy, rather than eliminating the horizontal ‘necklace lines’.
During the treatment, small quantities of Botox are injected into muscles around the neck and jaw. Releasing the ‘pull’ of these muscles enables the skin tissues to move back into a more flattering shape around the jaw.
Can skincare help?
Having a dedicated neck cream that includes active skincare ingredients that can make an improvement in the skin are a great way to improve the quality of the skin on your neck. Revision Skincare Nectifirm Advanced combines eight powerful peptides with Smart Antioxidant Technology for outstanding results. Lines and wrinkles appear reduced, while specialised ingredients slim and shape the neck by targeting adipose tissue.
If you’d like to discuss any of these treatments further or to establish the right options for you, click here to book a consultation with a practitioner.
Disclaimer: Please be aware that results and benefits may vary from patient to patient taking into consideration factors such as age, lifestyle and medical history.
