Neck lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging. They're caused in part by skin losing elasticity and being exposed to UV light over time. You may also notice premature wrinkles as a result of repeatedly looking down at the phone, smoking, or not using sunscreen.
Unfortunately, the neck is one of the first body parts to show signs of aging. However, it is possible to get rid of neck lines and wrinkles through proper skin care techniques.
Neck wrinkles are a common sign of aging. Like other signs of skin aging, they're caused by a mix of intrinsic factors and habits such as sun exposure and smoking. To reduce your risk of developing wrinkles on your neck, make sure to keep your skin protected when you're out in the sun.
Everyone ages differently. For some, as soon as you hit forty, you start seeing neck wrinkles, forehead wrinkles, and “crow's feet.” Some people actually begin seeing these wrinkles in their 30s.
Sometimes they are genetic, sometimes they are from weight gain. And some people can get necklines from "tech neck" looking down for long periods of time. "The younger people using their computers and their tablets and using iPhones, of course, can also get necklines from constantly being in the flex position.
Yup, that's right: neck lines are totally normal. However, it's also OK if you're hung up about having some horizontal lines, too. Here, we turned to a dermatologist to find out what causes neck lines, how to treat them, and how to prevent them.
When sleeping on your back, your weight is more evenly distributed, which can help result in less tension and pressure on your back and neck. Add an extra pillow under your knees or neck for extra support, and you can help foster higher-quality sleep overall.
Aging Neck
Muscle bands occur due to the regular use of the platysma muscle, with the vertical lines representing the muscle edges. Excess fat is also a common issue and can be considered age-related because in many cases the development of these fat deposits is the result of hormonal changes in the body.
All wrinkles are caused in part by repeated movements. This is why people who smoke often get lines around the mouth, for example. The constant motion of looking down at your phone can cause your neck to crease. Over time, these creases turn into permanent wrinkles.
Massage Coconut Oil Into Your Neck
Fatty acids like caprylic and lauric (both found in coconut oil) work to reduce inflammation, moisturize the skin, and protect it from toxins both inside the body and out. Try massaging a teaspoon of coconut oil into the skin of your neck for 10 minutes to supercharge healing.
The platysma muscles in the neck are side by side, and with age, they separate and begin to sag. These sagging muscles appear as two lines on the neck but widen and move lower as we age.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
Ultraviolet radiation, which speeds the natural aging process, is the primary cause of early wrinkling. Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin's connective tissue — collagen and elastin fibers, which lie in the deeper layer of skin (dermis).
"Sleep wrinkles disappear immediately on younger skin, but will eventually become permanent from constant compression and decreased skin elasticity with age," says Dr. Anson. The key to preventing them is sleeping on your back, which also has other beauty benefits, like clearer, firmer skin and better back alignment.
If you sleep on your side or on your stomach, your face might be pressed into your pillow, causing your skin to fold up and form vertical wrinkles. Since we all spend around a third of our lives asleep, these “sleep lines” get repeatedly reinforced and etched into your skin over time, like folds in leather shoes.
While Botox® treatments are not likely to improve sleep wrinkles, there are several dermal fillers you may be able to get that will turn back the clock a bit when it comes to your facial wrinkles. The two most popular dermal fillers that we offer are Juvederm® and Restylane®.
Moisturizers can't prevent wrinkles, but they trap water in the skin, temporarily masking tiny lines and creases. Don't smoke. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. It also damages collagen and elastin — fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity.
"Ideally, you should be using a silk or satin pillowcase." This will cut down on facial creases, lines, and imprints as you sleep. The less your skin grips onto your pillowcase, the less likely it is you'll wind up with permanent fine lines from your sleeping position.
Specifically, sleeping on the side or back is considered more beneficial than sleeping on the stomach. In either of these sleep positions, it's easier to keep your spine supported and balanced, which relieves pressure on the spinal tissues and enables your muscles to relax and recover.
Although it's the best position for sinus problems, Dr. Vasyukevic warns that side sleeping can lead to wrinkles on your décolletage and the side of your face you lie on.