6 Ways to Treat the Wrinkles on Your Neck

It may seem like it happened overnight, but our necks can be the first to display common signs of aging—wrinkled, crepey skin and neck bands can add years to our look. Whether due to genetics or ignoring the skin below the chin, the lines across the neck can be difficult to conceal without turtlenecks. “As we age, our skin loses water and collagen content, and as a result, it becomes drier and less firm,” says San Antonio plastic surgeon Jorge L. Menendez, MD. No matter what causes neck wrinkles, there are several solutions that can help reduce neck lines for a smooth, taught look.

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Facial exercises can tone and strengthen the underlying neck muscles.

Side sleeping can lead to neck wrinkles, which are formed by the forceful pressure of your skin against your pillow at night. When done regularly, facial exercises can help tighten your neck muscles and create a more sculpted look. “These exercises, which involve tilting your head, stretching your neck and holding for five seconds, can help strengthen the muscles so the lines aren’t as apparent,” says face yoga expert Fumiko Takatsu.

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A neck serum can improve rough texture.

Exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can break down collagen and elastin, causing the skin to lose its flexibility, resulting in etched-in neck lines. “Topical antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E can help reverse the damage caused by sunlight and pollution,” says Saddle Brooke, NJ dermatologist Dr. Fredric Haberman.  “To help stimulate collagen, retinoid creams are a solid choice. I prefer tretinoin cream initially applied three times a week with moisturizer and increased slowly until tolerated every night.”

“It is important to protect the neck with lots of antioxidants and SPF,” adds Short Hills, NJ facial plastic surgeon Alexander Ovchinsky, MD. “Use neck creams that contain peptides for firming, hydration and plumping. Low concentrations of vitamin A is also recommended to improve texture and stimulate collagen.”

Beauty Pie Uber Youth Neck & Chest Super Lift Serum Spray ($75) features niacinamide to brighten dark spots and peptides to help improve skin firmness. Its spray-serum application makes it easy to incorporate into a daily routine. 

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A neck mask may help firm skin.

According to Los Angeles facial plastic surgeon Michael Godin, MD, weight loss and gain are major causes of premature aging in the neck. “Drastic weight loss and gain in a short time can cause the skin on your neck to expand and contract, leading to sagging skin and pronounced neck bands.”

When you are searching for solutions on how to get rid of neck wrinkles, a neck mask incorporates the same skin-care ingredient infusion that have made face masks so popular. Knesko Nanogold Repair Neck and Décolleté Mask ($45) uses marine collagen, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to hydrate and reduce fine lines and wrinkles on the neck.

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A toning device can help get your neck in shape.

You may have forgotten to include your neck and décolleté in your daily skin-care routine. Neglecting to care for it just as you do your face leaves it more susceptible to developing wrinkles and bands over time. Combining mid-frequency interval pulse technology, electric muscle stimulation, radio frequency and red LED light therapy, the Dr. Arrivo Miss Arrivo The Vegas II ($560) can help tighten and smooth skin over time while improving the skin’s ability to absorb anti-aging creams and serums. 

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Noninvasive or minimally invasive procedures can help mild to moderate neck laxity.

Some nonsurgical treatments for the neck include Ultherapy or ultrasound-based skin-tightening, and radio frequency-based skin-tightening treatments like Vivace RF, Morpheus8 or Evoke. “Botulinum toxin is also used via injection into the platysma muscle which helps temporarily relax the muscle and improve the appearance of neck bands,” says Dr. Ovchinsky.

“I have to admit that the neck is one of the more challenging areas to rejuvenate,” adds Bloomfield Hills, MI dermatologist Linda C. Honet, MD. “More and more patients are looking for noninvasive treatment options, even if a surgical neck lift is seriously being considered. A simple and quick treatment is called the ‘Nefertiti Lift,’ where Botox, Dysport, or other equivalent neurotoxin is injected superficially into the platysma muscle of the neck. Although this is an off-label indication for Botox and other neurotoxins, it can help to reduce the ‘webbing’ and lines in the neck, thereby rejuvenating the appearance of the aging skin here.”

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A necklift will get rid of excess skin and restore youthful contours.

Patients who are genetically predisposed to skin laxity may need a more permanent fix. While some nonsurgical solutions can help with neck lines, a necklift can get rid of sagging and gives lasting results. “I restored this patient’s neck and jawline by performing a necklift and getting down into the underlying muscle and tissue to firm it up,” explains Dr. Godin.

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