7 Ways To Protect Your Neck From Signs Of Ageing

There’s one thing we all know, but still casually tend to overlook - taking care of our neck. Tragically so, because the skin on our neck is very thin, sees a lot of sun, and is a victim of gravity. Which makes it sag and creates those unwanted horizontal lines all over. But, to much surprise, today millennials are equally haunted by neck wrinkles, all thanks to the nights of looking down at the phone, hopping from one app to the other.

Since the dermis – the layer that contains collagen - is considerably thin in the neck area, it makes it more susceptible to ageing than the rest of the body. So, whether you’re nearing your 40s or still in your mid-20s, below are some preventive and correcting techniques that will help you get rid of the ‘turkey neck’.

1. Bring all your skincare products down to your neck

Quench Mama Cica Dark Spot Correcting Ampoule As a rule of thumb, make sure to apply all your skincare products to your neck as well. Starting with the cleanser > toner > essence > serum > moisturizer > sunscreen. Usually, our faces are pampered well and the neck and ears are left hanging in the no man’s land. That being said, ideally you should go ahead and bring the products down to your chest too, especially sunscreen.

2. Watch your posture

Trigger warning: every time you look down at your phone or your computer you’re forming neck lines. As disturbing as that sounds, we hope it pushes you to pay heed to your posture. We know that always being mindful and completely eliminating this habit from your routine is not possible, but you can still make an effort. Bring your phone up towards your face rather than looking down and keep your laptop at eye level to prevent unnecessary stretching. As you near your late 20s, these fine lines will slowly become fixed and deeper. Avoid this horror show by being tactful with your tech.

3. Skin firming ingredients to the rescue

Retinol can boost cell regeneration as well as the production of collagen in skin. Start applying retinol to your neck 1-2 times every week, and go upwards as and when your skin becomes comfortable. Since the skin on the neck is much thinner, be sure to start slowly to avoid dryness or peeling. Alternatively, if you have dry or sensitive skin, using retinol can actually backfire as your skin might not be able to tolerate it. Here, you can use bakuchiol, which is a plant-based alternative to retinol that offers similar benefits. Incorporating other skin-firming ingredients like peptides, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, BHAs, snail mucin extract is also a big helping hand to keeping skin firm and tight.

4. Try facial and neck exercises

While exercising might not magically blur out the lines, it’s a great preventive technique. Fortnightly, or more frequently if you can, apply a good facial oil and massage your face and neck to create a good lift. This is perfect to counter the effects of gravity on your skin. You may also use massaging tools like Gua Sha or face rollers to help your neck fight these fine lines and wrinkles.

5. Exfoliate regularly and properly

Your skin is shedding dead skin cells every hour of the day and unfortunately not all of them make it to the floor. Some get stuck in the same place, clogging your pores and making your skin look dull and old. Whether you use a chemical exfoliator or a physical scrub, make sure you’re really getting your entire neck until your collarbone. Doing this once every week will prevent the accumulation of dead skin cells, bring newer cells to the surface and keep your skin younger and firmer.

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6. Get your rest, eat good food

Everything eventually boils down to how you care for yourself. Getting a good night’s sleep at night, among many other things, also prevents premature signs of ageing. Plus, foods like avocados, seeds and fresh fruits, rolled oats, freshwater fishes, etc. contain high amounts of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, which make it easier for your skin to produce more collagen and keep your skin younger-looking.

7. Undergo dermat treatments

Micro-needling is a minimal-invasive technique that makes tiny punctures into skin that stimulates collagen and elastin production. Fillers are also another much-relied dermat treatment that tightens skin and drastically reduces fine lines on the neck. You can even opt for non-invasive treatments like lasers and ultrasound treatments that use lasers or wave frequencies to boost collagen production. These procedures can last for up to 2 years.

So while dealing with neck lines and wrinkles keep in mind that it is not a sprint but a marathon. Be patient and follow these practices regularly to see a difference.