While most of us regularly apply sunscreen to our faces, many forget about the skin on their neck and chest. This is unfortunate because the front of the neck is equally sensitive to sun damage. “The neck and chest are highly exposed to ultraviolet rays, but are often neglected in skin care, so skin laxity is particularly common here,” explains Dr. Welf Preger, a specialist in general and cosmetic dermatology in Berlin. “The breakdown of collagen can lead to loose skin – a condition that starts as early as puberty. This breakdown is accelerated primarily by the effect of ultraviolet rays.”
But it’s not just the sun that can damage the skin on the front of your neck. Constant head movement and poor posture can put stress on the neck and chest, leading to neck wrinkles and loose chest skin.
Fortunately, there are many things we can do to protect and heal our skin. Rule number one? Start as soon as possible. Here are some tips to help you do that.
Increasing demand for skin treatments on neck and chest
If you notice sagging skin, wrinkles, or other sun damage on your neck and chest, you’re not alone. Prager says the demand for neck-tightening treatments is on the rise. Fortunately, he adds, “collagen regeneration procedures are increasingly available and backed by scientific research.”
He said the growing awareness in the field can be attributed to the influence of social media. “Thanks to the media, people are paying more attention to the neck and chest,” he said. “So, this naturally increases the demand.”
We’re also becoming aware that looking “young” is about more than just your face. “It’s also about the neck, chest and hands,” Preger explained, citing celebrities as examples of the phenomenon. “You can tell their age by their hands,” he said.
Treatment of the skin of the neck and chest
While there are many treatments for the neck and chest, Preger emphasizes that those who want immediate results should know that this area of the body will take longer. “I always tell my patients: If you want to do something to the front of your neck, you should put in two to three times more effort than you would on the face,” he says. He says that some topical treatments can improve skin in the short term, but it usually takes longer for collagen to actually form.
Still, taking care of yourself now is an important first step to keeping your skin healthy. Is there an easy way to prevent wrinkles on your chest and neck? “Avoid nicotine and use UV protection — that’s everything,” Preger said, noting that about 90 percent of skin aging is ultimately caused by sun damage. “UV radiation is really the biggest killer of collagen.”
To moisturize, nourish, and revitalize skin at home, Preger recommends using a neck cream that contains antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and retinol.
Rejuvenation of the skin of the neck and chest
Prevention is the best medicine—but what if your skin is already showing signs of damage? According to Preger, the next best step is to visit your trusted dermatologist. He recommends a combination of injections and techniques to rebuild collagen and tighten skin: “The dermal filler Radiesse stimulates the body’s own collagen production, while the micro-focused ultrasound treatment Ultherapy stimulates the formation of new collagen,” he says, noting that both work together. “Patients with aging skin or particularly thin skin can be treated with volume-boosting hyaluronic acid, as in the face.”
Other methods of collagen production include radiofrequency microneedling at the tip. Prager also recommends considering solar photodynamic therapy (PDT), a gentle but effective treatment for sun damage.
Best treatments for neck and chest skin
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know which one is best for you. “There really is no limit,” Plag assures. “Skin treatments that use active ingredients applied to the skin work from the outside, while treatments like the ultrasonic scalpel work from the inside. Because the body’s own hyaluronic acid decreases by one percent every year after puberty, research has shown that three treatments, Skin Booster, can make skin appear plumper, more elastic and up to 10 years younger,” he explains.
With this in mind, it is important to follow the sequence of treatments recommended by your doctor. “Ultrasound treatment does not damage previously placed fillings,” explains Preger. “But microneedling, on the other hand, is very ‘hot’ and can damage the filler. The older the skin, the more effective the combination of the ultrasonic scalpel and the filler will be.”
Ultrasound treatment of the neck and chest
Treatments such as ultrasound are particularly well suited for the neck and chest: “They provide an immediate visual, allowing for precise, personalized treatment of different areas,” says Preger, emphasizing that this allows doctors to see what is happening under the skin.
Secondly, the skin in the neck, chest and chest areas has little or no fat pads, which makes it extra sensitive. “This is where the skin tends to loosen quickly as its elasticity decreases with age. Ultrasound treatment is an effective biostimulation method that promotes the regeneration of the body’s own collagen. This tightens the skin and improves skin quality.
One session of ultrasound knife treatment on the front of the neck takes about 30 to 45 minutes, creating hot spots of about 140 to 158 degrees Fahrenheit by generating ultrasound waves that penetrate below the skin’s surface. “These hotspots disrupt collagen tissue and stimulate the formation of new collagen,” explains Prager. “The effects of Ultherapy occur within six to nine months and last for two to four years. Many patients return for a second treatment in less than two years.”
Does sleeping on your side cause wrinkles?
We often hear that sleeping on your side is bad for your skin, especially your neck and chest. Is this true? “If you sleep on your side, you may notice more wrinkles near your cleavage because gravity causes your breasts to be pulled to one side and compressed,” explains Prager. But, he adds, you don’t have to change your sleeping position if you want to avoid this: “You can try wearing a sports bra at night, or order a special bra online.”
LED face mask eliminates neck and chest wrinkles
Another device currently trending on social media is LED face masks, and there are even models specifically designed to be used on the neck and chest.
The red light boosts collagen production, making skin firmer and more radiant, helping to reduce signs of aging. Depending on the model, the mask should be used three to five times a week for around ten minutes for best results. However, it’s worth noting that while some studies show that LED lights are effective in treating sun damage, the quality of at-home models varies. Harvard Health says that “there are currently no large studies showing that these lights are more effective than existing treatments.”
