From cleansing, toning and moisturising to a series of skincare procedures, most people spend a lot of time caring about their facial skin to keep signs of ageing at bay. However, we conveniently forget the neck area which is as visible as our facial skin and physiologically very similar to it. No wonder, you will see your neck ageing faster than your face and giving away your age!
The neck and the décolletage area experience the same environmental exposure and undergo the same biological wear and tear as do our facial skin. Exposure to UV radiation, loss of hydration and breakdown of collagen happens to the skin on the neck as much as it happens to the facial skin. Folds, wrinkles, sagging skin and vertical bands on the neck can be an eye sore particularly if you have been conscious about ageing and facial appearance all through your lives.
Unfortunately, even the most aware and skin-conscious people tend to make this mistake of overlooking the needs of their neck and décolletage areas even as they spend ample time and money looking after their face. Consider your neck an extension of your face.
With smaller pores and lesser pigmentation, you might assume that your neck is immune to ageing. But, alas, it is not! In most people, signs of ageing start appearing on the neck in their mid-30s when the skin starts sagging and muscle bands start appearing as skin loses its elasticity. The skin on the neck is also thinner than other parts of the body, making it more prone to premature ageing. Often, folds on the neck are also a result of repetitive motions or postures such as looking down at the mobile phone or sitting with a bent neck in front of a computer, a condition often referred to as the tech neck. Often, people who have undergone a sudden weight loss may also see the appearance of folds and wrinkles on the neck.
Essentially, the causes of skin ageing are the same, be it for the face or the neck or for that matter the hands. It is important therefore to remember that whatever skincare you are giving to your face needs to be extended to the neck area.
Moisturising and applying sunscreen are the two most important components of daily skincare regime which also provide it robust protection against premature ageing. Remember, loss of hydration and UV damage are the two primary instigators of ageing. Exposure to UV radiation accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin – the two scaffolding proteins that provide support to the skin’s extracellular matrix and hold the skin firm and tight. While applying moisturiser and sunscreen to the face daily, make sure you extend the same routine to the neck. Apply moisturiser and sunscreen on the neck with gentle upward strokes daily.
