November 2005
Dear Paula,
How should I take care of my neck to reduce signs of aging? It seems a woman's neck often belies her true age-or makes her look much older than she really is. I don't want to just use my facial products on my neck because mine are mainly acne-related. I am 36 years old, and want to be proactive about this before my neck skin starts looking like a turkey's!

Gail, via email

Dear Gail,

You're right! A woman's neck often gives away her true age, even if she has been fastidious about taking care of her facial skin. Aside from all the sun damage the neck gets (we tend to forget to use sunscreen there) the neck is in fairly constant motion (moving every time you turn your head, swallow, or speak), and such movement eventually generates deep lines, much as movement of the forehead can do. The simple answer is that skin anywhere on the body requires the same care as skin on the face. Well-formulated face products can do double duty on the neck and chest. It is rarely necessary to seek out special neck creams, because their ingredients rarely, if ever, differ from those of facial moisturizers, and frequently they aren't as well-formulated.

You are smart to be proactive about this now and a broad-spectrum sunscreen loaded with antioxidants is a must, and it should be applied daily, rain or shine. Several companies offer elegant sunscreen formulations that include sufficient UVA protection. The best of those include Clinique, Dove, Estee Lauder, Neutrogena, Olay, Paula's Choice, or SkinCeuticals. Look for one rated SPF 15 or greater. Beyond sunscreen, you can apply an antioxidant-rich moisturizer in the evening. Look for one in stable packaging (an opaque tube rather than a jar) that is also loaded with ingredients that mimic the structure of skin. All of the companies mentioned above offer such options. A prescription tretinoin product (such as Renova) can be useful for restoring the appearance of sun-damaged skin, but ask for the lowest active concentration because skin on the neck tends to be more sensitive. Don't forget that AHA and BHA peels may be performed on the neck, and discolorations may be treated with skin-lightening products containing 2% hydroquinone (higher concentrations are available by prescription only).

When gravity takes its toll and neck skin begins to sag, you can consider cosmetic surgery, including a neck lift, which serves to remove excess skin and fat while repositioning the platysma muscle. Liposuction is a less invasive but still an effective option to deal with the beginnings of a sagging neck or jaw line. However, with any luck and depending on the rate at which your skin ages and your diligence about using sunscreen, the genuine need for such procedures may be many years away.