What are Neck Lines?

As the name suggests, wrinkles and lines you see on your neck area are called neck lines. While neck lines may not be a major concern for younger people, they can become more noticeable with age.

Neck lines are a process of natural ageing, however, there can be other factors involved including environmental damage and looking down constantly.

What are the Causes of Neck Lines?

Wrinkles on the neck come in a few flavours, such as ageing and loss of elastin (a protein which helps our skin to stretch and snap back).

Moreover, the skin on our neck is more delicate which makes it vulnerable to ultraviolet radiation.

Since some wrinkling on the neck is inevitable, just like wrinkles appearing on our face due to ageing and genetics, there is not much we can do about it.

Apart from some precautions like using sunscreen regularly (more on this below) or getting surgical treatment.

A 2019 study says 

“Although neck wrinkles are a widespread cosmetic deficit—there are few treatment methods available—and none of them have been thoroughly investigated for more than two months.”

There is another type of neck wrinkle that is also known as compression wrinkles. For example, sleeping in a wrong position that is not supportive to your head, neck and shoulder girdle. 

As per the recent studies, compression wrinkles can also be due to constantly looking down.

It’s also known as Tech Neck Wrinkles or Lines, which is a real cosmetic condition caused by the hours we spend looking down on our phones or any other device.

We all use our mobile phones—more often than not—we are kind of addicted to it. Thus, preventing tech neck lines can be a challenge.

Ever wonder how much time—on a daily basis—we spend looking down on our phone, tablet, or laptop? 

“An average individual checks their phone approximately 70-80 times a day.”

Says a study conducted by Boston Consulting Group.

And, here's another fact

Neck lines caused due to ageing and ultraviolet radiations occur gradually. But, tech lines can emerge within a matter of months.

Here are 3 more causes of Neck Lines

Other than sun damage, sleeping in the wrong position, and tech lines, here 3 are causes of neck lines that you can be mindful of. 

Dehydration

Being dehydrated on the inside and the outside can make our skin look dull and dry, contributing to the appearance of wrinkles on the neck. 

This is also known as Dehydrated lines. These lines form due to a lack of water content in your body. Such lines can appear on your face, forehead, and neck. 

Obviously drinking plenty of water throughout the day can prevent this, but you also need to hydrate your skin from the outside. 

Thus, apply a moisturiser containing hydrating skincare ingredients.

Being stressed

You must have heard how stress contributes to acne, but did you ever think it can also be a cause of wrinkles on your neck? 

Stress can reduce the elasticity in your skin, which is a protein needed for the skin to stay tight and flexible.

Generally, people with chronic stress age faster. Our body has stress hormones like cortisol—which if remains high for a longer period of time—can break down the skin’s 

collagen and elastin—contributing to the formulation of wrinkles. 

Smoking 

Did you know tobacco present in cigarettes reduces the production of collagen? 

Our skin produces collagen on its own, but as we age, the production of collagen decreases, making our skin lose. 

And if you smoke on top of it, your skin can age faster than its normal rate. 

Moreover, smoking has too many detrimental effects on our skin including acne.

What are the Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Neck Lines? 

Now that we have discussed the major causes behind neck lines, let's talk about some practical ways to get rid of them. 

1. Make sunscreen a priority 

Skin ageing is caused by both internal and external factors. Internal factors are our age and genetics. 

Whereas, external factors are generally environmental damages such as sun exposure. 

A study says that the primary cause behind premature ageing is exposure to UV radiation, also known as photo ageing.

Exposing ourselves to the sun too much can have many negative effects on our skin, including the formation of wrinkles and fine lines and even skin cancer. 

And since we cannot avoid sun exposure, wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 is significantly important.

2. Moisturise regularly 

As discussed above, not hydrating skin from the outside can also contribute to the neck lines. 

So pick a hydrating moisturiser and apply it on your neck regularly. This will help you boost collagen and elastin production in your neck area. 

3. Add Hyaluronic Acid to your skincare routine

Did you know Hyaluronic Acid holds water up to 1000 times its weight? 

When you start using a skincare product that has HA, your skin will retain water and not lose its natural moisture. 

In a 2017 study, 60 individuals were enrolled and were given a small sample size of HA. After 12 weeks of continuous usage, individuals reported improvements in wrinkles’ appearance. 

You can HA in the form of a moisturiser and serum. Use it every day to reduce the appearance of the neck lines. 

4. Start applying Retinol cream on your neck

Retinol is a Vitamin A derivative known for its anti-ageing effects on the skin. 

Retinol’s molecules reach the dermis—the middle layer of your skin—and balance the free radicals (A 2010 study says that free radicals damage skin cells, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles). 

Moreover, Retinol promotes elastin (a type of protein) and collagen production in your skin which increases the blood flow (plumping effect). 

So if you want to get rid of neck lines, Retinol is a great skincare ingredient to begin with.

However, be mindful of the Retinol concentration you use. Higher concentration cream—if applied on a skin that does not have previous exposure to retinol—can cause irritation and redness. 

Start with 0.1% Retinol night cream and eventually work your way up to 0.3% and 0.5% cream. 

5. Vitamin C can help!

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that can reverse sun damage. Moreover, it can also balance the free radicals in your skin. 

A 2017 study says that Vitamin C is proven to protect the skin against photoaging. It also increases collagen production and skin elasticity, thereby reducing pigmentation and neck lines. 

Daily Exercises that Can Reduce Neck Lines

Apart from the topical treatments, you can do a few facial exercises at home that can help you with tech or compression neck lines. 

1. Forehead push

• Put your hand on your brow.
• Push your head against your hand, but make sure not to allow your head to move forward.
• Maintain this posture for 10-20 seconds. 
• Now put both your hands behind your neck and lock them. Push your neck backwards and hold the position for 10-20 seconds. 

2. Hanging-head Method - strengthen your neck muscles 

• Lie on your bed on your back.
• Place your arms on the side and let your head hang slightly over the edge.
• Lift your head to see your chest. Repeat this for 15-20 times.

3. Chewing exercise

• Lift your head back so your chin points toward the ceiling.
• Keep your lips closed and make a chewing motion with your mouth. Repeat 20 times.