We know that various aspects of our appearance will change as we get older. We may anticipate a few worry lines, some laugh lines or crow’s feet (which can be eradicated with Botox). However, most people do not consider the fact that their neck may also age. This area of the body is delicate, just like the face. The skin here is susceptible to aging and also vulnerable to sun damage.  Come to find out, there may be additional factors that make the neck appear older, faster. 

Is our Love of Electronics to Blame?

If you are part of the current age of technology (and, hint, if you’re reading this, you are), then you use a screen of some sort. The screens that we’ve become somewhat addicted to and reliant upon have gotten smaller over the years. We now hold our screens in our hands and use them to talk, text, and surf the net at least a few times a day. According to recent research, our nationwide use of screen time increased 33 to 185%! When we look down to view a screen, we place approximately 10 pounds of weight onto the neck area. This weight presses on the skin that is relying on dwindling amounts of collagen and elastin, creating a crepe-like condition. Is technology to blame for what has been dubbed “tech neck?” Maybe not fully, but it certainly isn’t helping. 

The neck ages for similar reasons that the face and other areas age. The body simply doesn’t produce as much collagen and elastin as is needed for optimal firmness. The neck is also encompassed by two muscles called the platysma that run up the sides of the neck. Like the skin, the platysma muscles are prone to sagging due to the effects of gravity. 

How to Manage an Aging Neck

The best time to start managing aging skin is before the signs of aging are noticed. Optimal skin care begun during one’s twenties would include daily sunscreen usage as well as nightly cleansing, toning, and moisturizing. At that time of life, the body slows its production of vital chemicals. By age 50, then, there is virtually none left to meet the needs of the skin. The collagen that does remain isn’t the strongest, either. It is frayed and weak due to lack of regeneration and sun exposure. The neck is somewhat of a forgotten area for most people and, because it has fewer oil glands than the face, it is more prone to sun spots, fine lines, and sagging. The laxity that results from fraying collagen and the thickening of the platysma muscles contribute to a downward pull on the jawline and lower face. This is one of the reasons we start to see jowls around middle-age.

The good news is that it’s never too late to restore youthful, slim contours to an aging neck. For the correction of mild to moderate neck laxity and submental fullness, we may recommend Allura laser facial contouring. For more profound results, a patient may be more interested in a neck or facelift, or combination thereof. To explore the treatment options that may be right for you, schedule a visit to our Denver office at (303) 839-1616.