People’s necks are often the part of the body that reveals their age the most easily, as it is a commonly neglected area for skincare, and the skin on the neck tends to age faster than that on the face. Therefore, when judging a person’s age based on appearance, it might be more accurate to look at the neck rather than the face. So, why does the skin on the neck age faster compared to the face?
According to a report by the Huffington Post, as people age, changes in the appearance of the skin are inevitable, especially in the neck area where aging happens quicker than the face, leading to issues like sagging and drooping.
The reason behind the faster aging of the skin on the neck compared to the face boils down to the fundamental differences between the skin on the neck and the face, along with the varying rates at which they change as individuals grow older.
Experts have elaborated on the differences between the skin on the neck and face, as well as the factors contributing to skin sagging. Dermatologist Doris Day noted that the skin on the neck is thinner than that on the face, making it more prone to losing elasticity. She mentioned that the neck has a different distribution of blood vessels and nerves, usually receiving less protection compared to the face.
Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Ramtin Kassir pointed out that the neck skin has fewer oil glands and less support from underlying muscles, which can result in quicker sagging. Additionally, the neck is often exposed to more sunlight and environmental damage, hastening the aging process and loss of elasticity.
Experts mentioned that neck sagging can start as early as the late twenties to early thirties but is commonly noticed in individuals in their forties and fifties.
Dermatologist Marisa Garshick explained that the decreasing production of collagen and elastin proteins over time is a natural part of the aging process, leading to a loss of skin tightness and elasticity, resulting in sagging.
Elasticity refers to the skin’s ability to bounce back into its original shape after stretching, which significantly depends on proteins like collagen and elastin present in the dermis, below the outer layer of skin.
Garshick also noted that factors like aging, excessive sun exposure, smoking, poor diet, and dehydration contribute to the loss of skin elasticity over time.
To prevent neck skin sagging, a variety of lifestyle habits, skincare products, and treatments can be adopted. Engelman suggested regularly applying sunscreen to prevent sun damage, prioritizing hydration, and using products containing ingredients like retinoids, peptides, and hyaluronic acid.
It is well-known that ingredients like retinoids, peptides, hyaluronic acid, and antioxidants can support collagen production and hydration, enhancing elasticity and making the skin appear younger.
While these products may not entirely halt skin elasticity loss, they can certainly help the skin by preventing the loss of collagen and elastin proteins and improving overall appearance, according to Garshick.
Garshick suggested treatments like laser therapy, topical treatments, and invasive surgeries to reduce neck skin sagging and boost skin elasticity. For more pronounced sagging, neck lift surgery may be considered, alongside non-surgical alternatives such as ultrasound therapy.
She highlighted that laser therapy is one of the most effective methods to improve skin elasticity and combat sagging. By creating tiny wounds on the skin, the body is stimulated to produce more collagen and elastin proteins for self-repair.
In addition, she recommended making lifestyle changes to assist in maintaining skin elasticity and preventing further sagging, including exercising facial and neck muscles, regularly applying sunscreen to shield the skin from UV damage, staying hydrated to keep the skin moist, and following a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol intake.