In our quest for beautiful, radiant skin, it’s easy to forget our necks and chests count, too. We may be so focused on applying the best serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens to our face to prevent signs of aging that we neglect these other areas that are often exposed to UV light. The skin on our necks and chests is also thinner and more delicate than other areas of the body, which means they can show signs of aging faster — it isn’t uncommon to see fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation in these areas before they pop up on the face.
Prevention is always your best defense against premature aging — and this means faithfully using sunscreen every day, keeping your skin hydrated and moisturized, and covering up with a hat or scarf when you can. But if you already are starting to show subtle signs of aging on the neck and chest and want to address them, here are three treatments that experts say work to help reverse signs of aging on your neck and chest.
Retinol
There are a great many skincare products on the market, but if we’re being honest, there are only a few tried-and-tested ingredients that are backed by science to help reverse signs of aging. Retinol is one of those ingredients — in fact, it’s the gold-standard skincare ingredient. A cream formulated with retinol (or a prescription-strength retinoid) can actually increase collagen production, which helps cells turn over faster so that your skin is in a kind-of constant state of exfoliation, renewing itself and revealing smoother, healthier skin. Retinol can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and even fade age spots.
Keep in mind though that retinol can also be drying and irritating, especially on sensitive skin types. And since the skin on your neck is more delicate than, say, your forehead, it’s important to go slow in this area. Choose a gentle retinol formulation or talk to your dermatologist about prescribing a low percentage of retinol that you can use on your neck and chest. Always follow this up with a great moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid to keep these areas hydrated and protected.
Microneedling
If you’re new to the world of in-office procedures, welcome: there are a number of them from which to choose and your dermatologist should be able to direct you toward the ones that will offer the most benefits for your skin.
When it comes to your neck and chest, micro needing can be quite effective. This procedure works by creating micro-injuries in the skin using teeny needles, which can stimulate collagen production and healthier skin. This procedure is sometimes combined with other treatments like radiofrequency to help tighten and firm sagging skin.
Lasers
The universe of lasers has come SO far — there truly seems to be a laser for every skincare issue and desire. When it comes to treating the neck and chest, ablative lasers like Fraxel Repair deliver intense wavelengths of light that can produce more collagen and elastin and minimize the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, and age spots, while addressing skin texture issues and uneven skin tone, as well. Other fractional CO2 lasers include Active FX and Deep FX. Clear + Brilliant is a gentler laser designed to treat early signs of aging.
If you’re interested in going down this route and exploring your options, be sure to speak with a board-certified dermatologist who has a lot of experience with laser treatments.
The neck and chest are oft-neglected areas that can show signs of aging rapidly. But with a consistent skincare routine that includes these areas, effective ingredients, and (if you’re interested) in-office treatments, these areas can stay well protected, smooth, and healthy looking.
