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How to prevent loose skin on the neck

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As you age, you will likely begin to notice a difference in skin texture. The soft, smooth, and radiant skin you are used to can turn into a rough, wrinkled, and crepe-like texture that will make you look older. And not only your face can be affected. The skin on the neck - one of the most neglected areas in the routine - can also begin to appear thin and flabby. To learn more about this growing concern, we spoke with Certified Dermatologist, SkinCeuticals Representative and Skincare.com Consultant Dr. Karen Sra. From how to prevent sagging skin on your neck to how to reduce the appearance of it, we reveal everything you need to know and more to come! 

WHAT IS CREPEY SKIN?

We all know what wrinkles and fine lines are, but what is loose skin? Tough skin is what it looks like­—the skin is thin to the touch, like paper or crepe. Some of this may be due to the passage of time and perfectly natural aging, but in reality, when it comes to loose skin, age is not the main cause, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Can you guess what it is?

If you guessed about sun damage, you would be right! Exposure to harmful UV rays can destroy important skin fibers, including collagen and elastin, which give skin its natural firmness and volume. When these fibers are destroyed, they lose their ability to stretch, recover, and return to their normal position. The result, as you might imagine, is firm skin.

WHEN CAN THE SKIN ON THE NECK COME TO APPEAR?

According to the Cleveland Clinic, loose skin usually doesn't appear until age 40. However, it can appear earlier, such as in your 20s, if you don't take proper sun protection measures. Bad habits, such as sunbathing or tanning beds, can lead to premature sagging of the skin. Gaining or losing a lot of weight can also play a role. 

HOW CAN YOU HELP PREVENT SHATTERING SKIN ON THE NECK? 

Since the sun's harmful UV rays are the main cause of loose skin, it's no surprise that the main form of prevention is the consistent use of broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. This is good news as sunscreen should already be a daily step in your skin care routine.   

In case you didn't already know, sunscreen is undoubtedly the most important step in any skin care routine. By applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher daily, you can help reduce the risk of premature skin aging (wrinkles, fine lines, dark spots, etc.), sagging skin, and even some types of cancer by effectively protecting your skin from harmful UV rays. . . Choose a waterproof formula with broad spectrum protection and SPF 15 or higher. Reapply at least every two hours. Because there is currently no sunscreen on the market that can fully protect your skin from UV rays, experts recommend taking extra precautions to protect your skin. This includes wearing protective clothing and avoiding the peak hours of sunshine – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

We are well aware that in some cases it is impossible to completely avoid UV rays. So, to prevent loose skin on your neck, take the following additional precautions: 

  1. Look for shade. It's not always possible to avoid the sun, but if you can, look for shade during the day to give your skin a break from direct UV exposure. Wide-brimmed hats and protective clothing will also help protect your face and neck from the sun.
  2. Don't skimp on moisturizer. Morning and evening, stick with a moisturizer designed for your skin type and apply it to your neck and décolleté. This can help hydrate the neck and make flabbiness less noticeable, the Cleveland Clinic says.
  3. Read product labels. See if your moisturizer contains alpha or beta hydroxy acids such as salicylic acid, lactic acid, or glycolic acid. Moisturizers containing these ingredients can make the skin firmer and in turn reduce sagging with continued use.

HOW CAN I REDUCE THE APPEARANCE OF SKIN ON THE NECK?

Prevention tips are important, but if you're already dealing with loose skin on your neck, they won't do much to address your current condition. To reduce sagging skin on the neck, Dr. Sra recommends the use of firming creams. As a moisturizer, use SkinCeuticals AGE Interrupter to help manage signs of aging like skin laxity as its advanced formula can help reverse the erosion of mature skin's elasticity and firmness. For brighter skin in addition to improved texture, choose SkinCeuticals Neck, Chest, & Hair Repair. Its formula brightens and firms sagging and photodamaged skin.