The Neck: How It Changes with Ageing (and Smoother Skin Solutions)

Your older sister has great skin. Wrinkle-free, basically. While she’s never been one to give away a secret, her age does show. And how does everyone know she’s older than you? That forehead might be baby smooth, but her ageing neck says it all. Teenagers, sun damage and climbing the corporate ladder aside, why should a busy and full life wreak havoc with your neck? Unfortunately, it’s life, and that means inevitable skin damage. The neck is the zone of ageing that’s tricky to hide. So how does the neck transform from young to older-looking faster than our face? It’s down to human biology. Ready for a little science lesson? Here goes. 

Ageing and Your Neck: How Young Leaves the Building 

Your neck and face may be neighbours, but these areas of skin have very different vibes. The neck is extremely hard working, but rather than made up of tough skin, it’s actually thin compared to the rest of your body. Enemy number one? The sun. And bad sunscreen habits – slathering it on your face but forgetting below the jawline – is enemy number two. See where we’re going with this? 

Next up, all the work it has to do. All the head movement it has to support. This is done by muscle banding. Two sheets of muscles lie just below your skin, and with constant movement, they thicken. Age also means your neck area loses fat (which is not good for ageing), making the skin even thinner. And so, noticeable muscles are actually not linked to weight loss but a sign your skin is giving away your age. Then there’s another neck issue that has nothing to do with weight. Ready? The dreaded double chin. The natural layer of fat under your skin moves, falls and settles under your chin. This shift, combined with loose skin, creates a double chin. But please, the neck isn’t worth getting depressed over. 

Especially not in today’s age of aesthetic medicine. 

Smooth Operator: Solutions to a De-Age The Neck 

Banish ideas of nips and tucks. Non-invasive treatments mean renewing your neck area, which certainly doesn’t require surgery – not even a dramatic overhaul. First, look at your main concerns. Then break these into smaller goals; skin tightening, even-toned skin (pigmentation treatment) and wrinkle reduction. And even if you feel like you ignored your neck and need a comprehensive solution (hello Nefertiti neck lift), low-risk and back-to-work the same day mean results that aren’t fraught with long recovery times. What’s new and brimming with innovation? ND:Yag and Endymed 3 Deep Skin Tightening targets wrinkles and lax skin and is safe below the jawline.

What’s more, it’s non-damaging for all skin tones, making it a go-to for those worried about post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Add to the modern treatment options, The Secret RF. Described as new-age micro-needling, this type of dermal remodelling (energy helps create new collagen) teams up with micro-needling to zone in on crepey skin. Dealing with this concern on your chest too? This treatment can be used on many areas of the body to tackle sun-damaged skin that needs lifting and tightening. 

Homecare The Missing Link

Remember that while all-important treatments will help save your neck (no pun intended), home care is very healing too. What ingredients give your skin great TLC and boosted protection? First, sunscreen! And then seek out actives like retinol to build collagen and use as a night treatment to help stop that sag. You can find it in SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair. Here’s to your beautiful – and hard-working – neck. May it look as young and radiant as you feel.