“Why does my neck look older than my face?” A common question we hear during our consultations. Our skin in the neck, décolleté, and hands are thinner and more delicate making them more susceptible to the natural aging process, collagen loss, and sun damage. These areas often show signs of aging even more quickly than the face due to thinner skin, which makes them more vulnerable to fine lines, pigmentation (such as brown spots), and sagging. Neglecting these areas can create an imbalance between a youthful face and an aging neck, décolleté, and hands.
If you’re investing your time and money on your face and follow a detailed at-home skincare routine but aren’t taking your products all the way down to your neck, chest, and hands, you are actually doing yourself a disservice and here’s why!
Common Signs of Aging in These Areas:
- Neck & Jawline:
– Tech neck (horizontal lines from screen time)
– Loss of definition
– Skin laxity and crepiness
- Décolleté:
– Fine lines and wrinkles
– Sun damage in the form of dark spots and pigmentation
- Hands:
– Volume loss, leading to more prominent veins
– Wrinkles and skin thinning
– Pigmentation issues like sun spots or age spots
Our Daily Habits Affect Our Skin
Let’s talk about the little everyday habits that might be showing up on your skin.
Your hands.
We don’t give them enough credit, but our hands take on a lot of sun exposure, especially while driving or getting regular gel manicures (yep, those UV lamps count). The skin on our hands is delicate and one of the first places to show signs of aging. So when you’re applying your daily SPF, don’t forget to take the extra and swipe it across the backs of your hands.
Your chest.
If you’re a side sleeper (most of us are!), you may notice fine lines starting to form on your décolleté. The skin here is thinner and more prone to creasing, especially with how we sleep. We recommend training yourself to sleep on your back if you can but also incorporating a targeted anti-aging product like our Interfuse Lines or Alpharet Body to help boost collagen and soften those lines.
Your neck.
If you’re reading this while looking down at your phone, this one’s for you. Constant screen time and the habit of looking down at our devices is contributing to those horizontal lines across the neck, called “tech neck”. This term is becoming more widely recognized, especially among younger generations. Being mindful of your posture, bringing your screen to eye level, and using skincare products can help keep things smooth and firm.
These small shifts in your routine and a few smart products go a long way in protecting and preserving your skin. Additionally, there are a variety of non-surgical treatment options we offer at Thistle Medical Aesthetics that can rejuvenate your neck, décolleté, and hands, leaving you with more youthful-looking skin. Here are some of our best options to address common concerns:
1. Nefertiti Neck Lift (Botox for Neck & Jawline Definition)
Neurotoxin such as Botox, Dysport, or Daxxify are injected into the platysmal bands and jawline to relax the muscles along the neck and jawline, smoothing out these lines and giving a more defined appearance. This is more commonly known as the “Nefertiti Neck Lift.” Results can be seen after about 2 weeks and may last between 3 to 4 months.
2. Morpheus8 RF Microneedling for Face, Neck, and Decollete: aka the “Spanx” Treatment
Morpheus8 combines radiofrequency (RF) energy with microneedling to tighten and lift the skin while improving the appearance of texture and fine lines. This treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production, which helps firm up loose, sagging skin. We refer to it as the “Spanx” for your face and neck treatment because it provides a lifting effect, smoothing out wrinkles and improving overall skin texture and quality. Downtime is minimal, with most clients experiencing redness, mild swelling, and pinpoint scabbing for a few days. Residual effects may take up to 3 to 4 weeks to heal as the skin of the neck and chest are much thinner and may require additional time to get back to baseline. Results develop gradually as collagen rebuilds, with initial improvements visible within a few weeks and optimal results appearing around 3 months post-treatment. When treating the face, we always include the neck, ensuring a seamless, youthful look. We always recommend a treatment of at least 3 treatments spaced 6 to 8 weeks apart and an annual maintenance treatment to top off your results.
3. SkinPen Microneedling for Fine Lines, Texture & Laxity in the Neck
Microneedling is a great way to improve skin texture and elasticity in the neck. By creating micro-injuries to the skin of the face and neck, your body’s natural healing process is triggered, thus stimulating collagen production. This treatment is especially effective for treating crepey neck lines.. For best results, a series of 3 treatments is recommended spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart and an optional annual maintenance treatment to keep your skin glowing.
4. Dermal Filler for Horizontal Neck Lines, Jawline Contouring, and Hand Rejuvenation
As we age, we lose volume in our neck and hands. Screen time is causing more of us to develop “tech neck”, where horizontal lines appear along the neck due to the constant downward tilt of the head. When strategically injecting hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, we can restore lost volume in the jawline and smooth etched lines in the neck for a more balanced and lifted appearance. To diminish veins and wrinkles in the hands, fillers help restore volume and bring back youthfulness.
5. Skincare Must-Haves For the Neck and Décolleté
One of the best ways to maintain results from your in-office treatments is with a personalized at-home skincare regimen. Here are our favorite products that can be a great addition to your routines to further support rejuvenation in these areas.
- Techno Neck Perfecting Cream: a fantastic anti-aging product addition to your routine as it’s designed specifically for the delicate skin of the neck and décolleté. It helps hydrate, firm, and improve skin texture, while also preventing collagen breakdown.
- Interfuse Lines: a powerful at home option that works beautifully alongside in office treatments as it features an injectable-grade hyaluronic acid to visibly improve deep expression lines, while a collagen-supporting complex of amino acids, peptides, and Vitamin C helps strengthen and firm the skin over time.
Consistency is Key: Treat Your Neck, Chest & Hands Like an Extension of Your Face
One of the biggest mistakes we see people doing is not including their neck, décolleté, and hands in their treatment plans and skincare routines. During a consultation, our aesthetic providers make sure to address these areas because they are equally as important to maintain a youthful appearance and help your neck match your face! Incorporating treatments and products designed for these areas into your regimen will help you maintain a glowing appearance for the long haul. The key is consistency, combining regular in-office treatments with daily at-home care will give you the best results.
Ready to Rejuvenate Your Neck, Chest & Hands?
We’re here to help you address these often-overlooked areas. We offer a range of non-surgical treatments that can target these areas and keep you looking and feeling your best. Book a consultation with us today and let us create a personalized plan for you!
