Necks don’t lie. It’s a hard truth, but necks show our age before our faces do. Some people dub the neck wrinkles neck “tree rings”- just as with a tree, these deep horizontal lines mark the passage of time. By the late 30’s or early 40’s, most women will notice crinkling and loss of elasticity on the neck area. Anyone with fair skin or who lives in a sunny climate may notice neck wrinkles crop up even earlier. Neck wrinkles come in two forms – horizontal and vertical or known colloquially as turkey neck and saggy neck.
How Neck Wrinkles Develop
So why do the injustices of aging show up rapidly on the neck? Chalk it up to a few reasons.
Most women apply sunscreen religiously to their face, but don’t apply anything to the neck or chest area. Long term exposure to the damaging rays of the sun can lead to crepey skin, sun spots, wrinkles and sagging. The skin on the neck and chest is also much thinner than facial skin, so this is where the signs of aging often show up first, in the form of wrinkles and age spots. The neck also has less fatty tissue and collagen, and a lack of oil glands here lead to dryness, which accelerates the aging process and makes skin look crepey. Neck skin has a similar composition to the skin around the eyes, and should be treated accordingly.
Neck wrinkles can be caused by a wide variety of factors, including genetics, sun exposure, and lifestyle factors such as smoking and drinking too much. Gravity doesn’t help here either. Repetitive neck movements also play a role, as does sleeping position. Sleeping in a way that your neck is always crunched down can contribute to neck wrinkles, as can anything that strains the neck, like overly strenuous exercise (ever see someone’s neck tendons flare when they’re lifting weights?). Weight fluctuations and hormonal changes can also play a role in the development of neck wrinkles and texture of the skin here.
The skin produces less of the connective tissue proteins collagen and elastin with age. Collagen is a structural protein that is responsible for the resilience, strength, and durability of the skin. Elastin is a highly elastic protein that allows the skin to resume its shape after stretching or contracting. While collagen makes skin look plump and firm, elastin allows the skin to be elastic and pliable.
After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. Moreover, environmental free radicals from things such as UV overexposure and cigarette smoking can degrade both collagen and elastin. That’s why we recommend Carrot & Stick Repair Serum. It contains plant based peptides to support collagen and elastin for visible firmer, smoother looking skin on the neck and face.
We recommend using Carrot & Stick’s The Complete Collection or Day and Night Routine, which is a full anti aging skincare routine.
For optimal results, we recommend combining with a collagen support supplement. Our top pick is Carrot & Stick Collagen Bounce.
Types of Neck Wrinkles
Most neck wrinkles are either categorized as “turkey neck” or “crepey neck.” They look different, and have different underlying causes. Another way to think about it horizontal versus vertical neck wrinkles.
“Turkey neck,” or vertical neck creases, sit deep within the skin and have developed over a long period of time. They are generally caused by keeping the neck in the same position for a long period of time, such as sleeping in a particular position or craning your neck to see a computer or smartphone. Turkey neck is marked by skin that looks flaccid under the chin. Some people have prominent vertical bands on the neck, known as platysmal bands. These are often genetic.
Horizontal wrinkles are usually chalked up to a decrease in collagen. Collagen occurs naturally in the skin and gives it its support structure, keeping skin firm, smooth and plump. Collagen production decreases over time as we age, and is also damaged by environmental hazards, such as damage from the sun. Horizontal wrinkles usually show up as dry, crepey skin.
Preventing Wrinkles
One of the best ways to treat neck wrinkles is to try and stop them from forming in the first place. The first step is to use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every single day. If you don’t like the feel of a cream, try a mineral based powder, which acts as a physical blocker to the sun’s damaging rays. Cover up on a sunny day, and be vigilant about protecting the neck and chest area. A rash guard is ideal for the beach or the pool or do what some supermodels do- invest in a scarf and wear it, especially when driving.
A vitamin C serum helps neutralizes harmful free radicals that cause premature aging. We recommend Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It’s is packed with three vitamin C derivatives which work together to helps fight free radical damage.
Treating Wrinkles Naturally
There are some natural ways to treat neck wrinkles. You can try and change your sleep position to snooze on your back using a special pillow or mattress. Or try switching to just one pillow to reduce the strain on the neck. Make sure you’re eating right and drinking plenty of water, as you are what you eat. Reach for plenty of fruits and vegetables to ensure your whole body gets enough vitamins and antioxidants. Load up on omega-3 and 6 rich foods such as cold water fish (mackerel, sardines), flax seeds and avocados. Omega 3s and 6’s have anti-inflammatory properties and can help support the body’s collagen production. Some people swear by massage and neck exercises to treat neck wrinkles. Massage helps stimulate blood flow to the area, and some exercises can help tone and lift the neck muscles. And yes, facial yoga is a thing.
Reach For the Best Products
One of the most effective ways to visibly prevent and treat neck wrinkles is with the right products. The neck should be treated with as much care, attention and love as the face. Most women take the time to cleanse, tone, apply serum and moisturize their faces but necks rarely get this kind of pampering. The strategy should be prevention, hydration and repair.
When it comes to keeping the signs of aging at bay on the face, some of the best ingredients to look for are collagen-supporting peptides. They can also work wonders on the neck to help the area look firmer, smoother and more hydrated.
Start with a serum. Serums penetrate deeper and contrain a higher concentration of actives. Our top pick is Carrot & Stick Repair Serum. It contains seven plant-based neuropeptides to enhance the skin’s structural integrity from the inside out, promoting smoother, more resilient skin. A blend of synthesized growth factors promotes elasticity, cell turnover and nutrient absorption to support revitalization.
We recommend using Carrot & Stick’s The Complete Collection or Day and Night Routine, which is a full anti aging skincare routine. The goal is to create a powerful skin-care routine for the neck that helps prevent and treat wrinkles.
You may also want to consider a retinol skin care product. Retinol is clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and restore skin firmness. One product we recommend is Carrot & Stick The Retinoid Oil.
For optimal results, we recommend combining with a collagen support supplement. Our top pick is Carrot & Stick Collagen Bounce.
