Neck Lines: Causes, Treatment, And Prevention - Healthline

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What Causes Neck Lines and How to Get Rid of Them

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Grace Gallagher on October 2, 2019

Sun
Genetics
Repeated motions
Reduce & prevent
Takeaway

Neck lines, or neck wrinkles, are like any other wrinkle you may see around your mouth, eyes, hands, or forehead. While wrinkles are a natural part of aging, certain factors like smoking or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays can make them worse.

Some amount of neck wrinkling is inevitable. The extent of your neck lines and other signs of aging skin are determined in part by genetics. However, there are products you can try and lifestyle tweaks you can make to reduce their appearance.

Keep reading to learn what causes neck lines and what you can do to make them go away.

Sun exposure

The neck is an oft forgotten part of the body. While many people are meticulous with applying SPF to their face, they often overlook the neck.

Leaving your neck exposed and unprotected to the sun, can cause premature wrinkles.

Genetics

Genetics play a large role in how and when your skin will age. However, you can slow the signs of neck lines by moisturizing, not smoking, and wearing sunscreen.

Repeated motions

Doing one motion over and over — squinting, for example — will result in wrinkles. Be mindful of how often you’re looking down or to the side, as repeated motions can cause neck lines.

How to reduce and prevent neck lines

Be mindful of how you hold your phone

You may have heard of “text neck,” which is an ache or soreness in the neck caused by looking down at your phone. Did you know this repetitive motion can also cause neck lines?

All wrinkles are caused in part by repeated movements. This is why people who smoke often get lines around the mouth, for example.

The constant motion of looking down at your phone can cause your neck to crease. Over time, these creases turn into permanent wrinkles.

When you’re using your phone, try positioning it in front of your face and looking straight forward. It may feel a bit odd at first, but this lifestyle tweak can prevent neck lines from forming.

Try vitamin C serum

Vitamin C has antioxidant properties that are great for the skin.

Certain studies show that the vitamin can actually reverse some of the damage caused by UV rays and other environmental factors by inactivating free radicals. The wrinkle reduction in the study was observed at 12 weeks, so stick with the serum for at least 3 months.

Wear sunscreen

A 2013 study showed that regular use of sunscreen can slow the signs of skin aging. Wear SPF of at least 30 daily, and be sure to reapply at least every 2 to 3 hours.

Don’t smoke

Smoking is one of the most prominent causes of premature aging. Tobacco smoke damages collagen, and nicotine causes blood vessels to restrict, which means skin gets less oxygen and will look older and more wrinkled.

A 2013 study conducted on identical twins found that those who smoked had significantly more wrinkles than their twin who did not smoke.

Even if you currently smoke, a 2010 study found that by quitting smoking, the skin will rejuvenate itself and look as much as 13 years younger.

If you currently smoke, talk to your healthcare provider about a smoking cessation program to help you quit.

Apply a retinoid cream

Retinoids are derived from vitamin A. They’re one of the most studied and celebrated anti-aging ingredients. Some products have a higher percentage of retinol — 2 percent is the highest available without a prescription.

It’s best to start with a small amount every few days. Otherwise, the ingredient can cause extreme dryness and peeling. With five forms of retinol to choose from, it’s a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider about which one is right for you.

Moisturize

Many people remember to moisturize their face, but it’s easy to forget about the neck. Some moisturizing products are made specifically for the neck.

A 2015 study showed one unspecified neck cream to have “rapid and continuing ability” to improve “self-perceived” signs of aging on the neck, including wrinkles and fine lines.

Hydrating the skin will help it look plump so wrinkles are less visible, and it can also help prevent future creases from forming.

Look for a moisturizer that contains hyaluronic acid, which a 2014 study found to have a “statistically significant moisturizing effect.” Hyaluronic acid also comes in an injectable filler that preliminary research has found to be effective at reducing horizontal neck lines.

Moisturizers created specifically to target neck lines include:

NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream
iS Clinical NeckPerfect Complex
Tarte Maracuja Neck Treatment
StriVectin-TL Tightening Neck Cream
Pure Biology Neck Firming Cream

Experiment with neck patches

Much like sheet masks for your face, there are patches and masks you can buy that specifically target neck lines.

There’s not much science to say they work, but anecdotally speaking, people report that using a neck patch (like this one) improves the skin’s appearance, texture, and reduces the look of fine lines.

Many of the patches on the market are made of 100 percent silicone, which helps draw moisture up from the lower layer of the skin, thereby plumping the look of existing wrinkles.

Get Botox injections

More and more people are turning to neck Botox as way to combat normal aging and the wrinkles associated with text neck. Studies have shown that Botox also has the ability to relieve chronic neck pain.

Botox is a type of botulinum toxin injection. From a strictly cosmetic standpoint, Botox works by blocking the chemical signals from nerves that tell muscles to contract, according to the Mayo Clinic. This makes the skin appear smoother.

Botox will last about 3 to 4 months, depending on certain factors, such as your age and skin elasticity.

The takeaway

Neck lines and wrinkles are a normal part of aging. They’re caused in part by skin losing elasticity and being exposed to UV light over time. You may also notice premature wrinkles as a result of repeatedly looking down at the phone, smoking, or not using sunscreen.

There are many moisturizers on the market that are anecdotally said to help reduce the appearance of neck lines. Botox and hyaluronic acid fillers are more invasive procedures that can also temporarily correct fine lines.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Ganceviciene R, et al. (2012). Skin anti-aging strategies. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.4161%2Fderm.22804
Hughes MCB, at al. (2013). Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: A randomized trial. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23732711
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Jegasothy SM, et al. (2014). Efficacy of a new topical nano-hyaluronic acid in humans.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970829/
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Okada HC, et al. (2013). Facial changes caused by smoking: A comparison between smoking and nonsmoking identical twins. DOI:https://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Abstract/2013/11000/Facial_Changes_Caused_by_Smoking___A_Comparison.10.aspx
Persaud R, et al. (2013). An evidence-based review of botulinum toxin (Botox) applications in non-cosmetic head and neck conditions. DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.1177%2F2042533312472115
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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Cobb, DNP, APRN, WHNP-BC, FAANP — Written by Grace Gallagher on October 2, 2019

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