There are mornings when I wake up, tentatively peek in the mirror, and am legitimately surprised by the number of profound wrinkles on my neck and chest. When did that start to happen? It appears that much like our hands, few things give away our age as much as the neck does. And as someone who spends most of the day hunched over a laptop or phone (and then tops it off by sleeping on their stomach), I have no one to blame but myself. Clearly, it’s time to take a two-pronged approach to my neck skin: lifestyle adjustments need to be made in addition to investing in one of the best neck creams available.
As we all know, it is a gift to be able to get older and experience all the joys that come with that. Like so many of us, I go back and forth on how healthy it is to indulge my vanity under the guise of self-care. What I keep coming back to is that at the end of the day, balance is key. It’s important to make an effort to prioritize skin health and aging gracefully—and that can mean different things to different people. But I also plan on looking and feeling like my best self until I’m an itty bitty old lady, so the occasional intervention may be necessary.
Luckily, when it comes to neck wrinkles, the remedy is not unlike those for the face, and you may already have some of the best neck creams baked into your skincare routine. It’s just time to bring it on down to the neck. I tapped Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City. She was able to give some interesting insight into the various causes and treatments for neck wrinkles, no matter the cause.
Featured image by Belathée Photography.
What is tech neck?
Dr. Chang explains that the term “tech neck” was traditionally used to describe cervical neck pain from the prolonged use of computers and mobile phones. These days, it has expanded to include the deep neck lines and wrinkles that occur from repetitive movements and looking down for long periods of time. Yet another reason to stop the daily scroll spiral!
How To Prevent Neck Wrinkles
Luckily, Dr. Chang reassures us that skincare products can help prevent lines and wrinkles, but it requires consistency. An effective skincare regimen and sun protection is the easiest thing you can actively do at home to guard your skin. Protect your neck from the sun, along with all other sun-exposed areas by wearing sunscreen daily and reapplying every two or three hours. In fact, the biggest mistake she sees her patients make is applying sunscreen on the face but forgetting the neck and chest.
When it comes to creams and serums, Dr. Chang recommends collagen-boosting skincare products, including retinol and vitamin C. If you want to be even more proactive, consult your dermatologist for collagen-boosting, skin-tightening treatments, like Thermage, Fraxel Dual, and radiofrequency microneedling.
However, she emphasizes that first and foremost, good sun protection (like wearing hats) and applying sunscreen daily is the easiest, most effective way to prevent aging of the neck skin.
Professional Treatments for Neck Wrinkles
While surgery, including neck lifts and platysmaplasty, is the gold standard treatment for loose skin, Dr. Chang tells us that there are numerous minimally invasive in-office procedures that are an effective alternative to surgery. Not everyone needs surgery or is a candidate for surgery. She recommends consulting your board-certified cosmetic dermatologist to see if you’re a candidate for minimally invasive procedures, like:
- Radiofrequency microneedling
- PRP
- Fraxel Dual
- Thermage
- Botox
- Fillers
The best treatment for neck lines depends on each individual patient and the underlying causes. For example, she mentions that platysmal bands respond best to Botox, while crepey skin may respond better to Thermage. In order to get the best treatment plan for you, consult a provider that is experienced in and has access to all of these procedures.
How To Treat Neck Wrinkles at Home
Dr. Chang reiterates that sunscreen is the most important measure you can take. She recommends using SPF 30 or greater and reapplying every two or three hours. Keep things easy breezy and use the same sunscreen on your neck as you use on your face.
She also notes that retinol creams can help with stimulating collagen to prevent skin aging of the neck. It can take 8—12 weeks of continuous use to start seeing improvement, so be patient and go slow. Retinols can be drying, especially on the neck, so it is important to apply moisturizers afterward.
When shopping, look for creams that are rich in antioxidants and peptides. These ingredients stimulate collagen to prevent fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturizers are an essential part of the daily skincare routine and should also be applied to the neck. Dr. Chang recommends moisturizers that contain ceramides and hyaluronic acid to boost hydration and repair the skin.
15 of the Best Neck Creams Available Now
Every product is curated with care by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you.
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
Paula’s Choice 0.3% Retinol + 2% Bakuchiol Treatment
Elemis Pro-Collagen Neck u0026 Décolleté Balm
Olay Regenerist Retinol 24 Night Facial Moisturizer
SkinCeuticals Renew Overnight Dry
Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Anti-Aging Face and Neck Cream
Elemis Peptide Antioxidant Hydra Serum
Estée Lauder Nightwear Plus Anti-Oxidant Night Detox Moisturizer Créme
Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer
SkinCeuticals Tripeptide-R Neck Repair
Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides
Tatcha Ageless Revitalizing Neck Cream
Sunday Riley ICE Ceramide Moisturizing Cream
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Hyaluronic Marine Oil-Free Moisture Cushion
