Tips for Wrinkles on the Neck

Tips for Wrinkles on the Neck
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Like your face, your neck may begin to wrinkle as you get older. Your skin loses collagen and elastin as you age, and this leads to sagging and fine lines once you hit your 40s and 50s. While no at-home remedies will make these signs of aging vanish, you can take steps to improve the look of neck wrinkles by strengthening and protecting your skin.

Wear Sunscreen

Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can greatly increase the rate at which your wrinkles appear. MayoClinic.com states that exposure to UV rays degrades your skin's supplies of collagen and elastin, which can lead to premature signs of aging, particularly on delicate areas like the face, hands and neck. Avoid tanning beds and basking in the sun, and apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you go outdoors. Choose a broad-spectrum product that promises to inhibit both UVA and UVB rays, and this will preserve the strength and elasticity your skin still has, as well as help keep wrinkles from getting deeper.

Apply Moisturizer

Your skin loses some of its ability to hold onto moisture as you get older. Dried-out skin is less able to protect itself from environmental aggressors, and it can also make your neck wrinkles look worse than they actually are. Applying a moisturizer both in the morning and at night can improve the look and feel of your skin, as well as repair your skin's barriers and help it hold onto hydration. You can use moisturizers designed for your face on your neck as well, and DermNet NZ suggests applying one that contains a humectant ingredient like glycerin, which will seal moisture into your skin. Apply the moisturizer in the morning and at night after washing your neck with a mild cleanser.

Use Retinol Creams

You can help minimize your wrinkles and rebuild the collagen in your neck by applying a retinol cream once a night, according to AgingSkinNet. Retinol comes from vitamin A, and it works by sloughing off your skin's outer layers, speeding up cell renewal and improving the texture of your skin. Many anti-aging products contain this ingredient, and you can look for one that includes a moisturizer in addition to retinol. Use this product at night after you cleanse and dry your neck. You can also apply a separate, nonmedicated moisturizer on top of the retinol if you find that it causes your skin to become irritated. Seek medical attention if this irritation persists for more than a week.

References

Article reviewed by Jessica Lyons Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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