What works to improve wrinkles on the neck? A physician explains the causes of wrinkles and the rationale for recommended care.
Creams, massages, stretches... There are many things that have been introduced to help eliminate wrinkles on the neck,
Does it really work?"
Which method works best?"
I'd like to know what works fast."
Some of you may have these questions.
In this article, cosmetic dermatologist Smart Skin Clinic explains the causes of different types of wrinkles on the neck and the benefits of various types of care.
We will also explain what kind of cosmetic treatments are available for neck wrinkles and each procedure, so please refer to this page if you are suffering from neck wrinkles.
Conclusion and Summary
In conclusion, creams, stretching, changing pillows, etc,It may be better to let people think that it is basically difficult to get rid of wrinkles on the neck only by daily self-care.
Self-care may be effective in "preventing further wrinkle growth," but it is not effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
So what is better, we believe, is to resort to cosmetic medicine.
If self-care is defensive care, cosmetic treatment is offensive care that allows the patient to feel the effects of wrinkle reduction quickly.
Types of neck wrinkles
The neck is a wrinkle-prone area, but in fact, wrinkles can be divided into several types, such as horizontal wrinkles, vertical wrinkles, fine lines and creases, and sagging. Each type of wrinkle has different causes, characteristics, and care methods, so it is important to understand your wrinkles first.
lateral creases
Lateral neck wrinkles (necklace lines) appear at a relatively young age, regardless of age.
The main cause is due to a decrease in skin firmness and elasticity, and also due to skin folds caused by continuous pressure on the same area.
Specific examples are the use of high pillows and prolonged use of smartphones and computers. In these cases, the posture of the neck will be wrinkled for long periods of time, making it easier for horizontal wrinkles to be carved.
vertical wrinkles
The main causes of vertical wrinkles on the neck include thinning, dryness, and loss of firmness and elasticity of the skin with aging, as well as contracture of the broad cervical muscles, the muscles around the neck.
Vertical wrinkles may be seen relatively more often in older and thinner people.
Aging and rapid weight loss can also cause subcutaneous fat to droop, causing vertical wrinkles to sag from the face line to the neck. A decrease in collagen and elastin due to ultraviolet rays, which causes the skin to lose firmness and elasticity, is another cause of vertical wrinkles.
fine wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles are fine wrinkles that appear on the surface of the skin. The skin around the neck, like that around the eyes and mouth, is very thin and easily affected by dryness and external influences. Therefore, regardless of age, fine lines and wrinkles become more noticeable when the skin is exposed to dryness and UV rays.
slack
The main cause of neck sagging is a combination of various factors, including the decrease in collagen and elastin due to aging, weakening of the broad neck muscles, and hypertrophy of fat cells.
Specifically, the skin becomes thinner with age, and the skin becomes looser as the contracture of the psoas muscle no longer exerts tension on the skin.
In addition, subcutaneous fat increases with weight gain and fat cells become enlarged due to metabolic deterioration caused by aging, which also causes the skin to sag. This is because increased or enlarged subcutaneous fat is pulled downward by gravity, causing the skin to sag in combination with loose skin.
As sagging progresses, the skin of the neck and lower jaw may droop, obscuring the facial line, and the skin of the neck may sag in multiple layers, creating bumps on the neck.
Causes of neck wrinkles
The skin of the neck is thin by nature and easily stretched by neck movements. In addition, the neck is susceptible to ultraviolet rays and dryness, which reduce skin elasticity, making it an area prone to sagging and wrinkling.
In addition, since the neck supports the heavy head, it is prone to poor blood circulation, which leads to muscle contracture. When muscles contract and posture becomes more fixed, wrinkles tend to form, creating a vicious cycle.
There are five main causes of neck wrinkles
- dryness
- ultra-violet rays
- posture
- Contracture of the vastus lateralis muscle
- Decrease in skin elasticity due to aging
(1) Drying
The neck is an area with thin skin, which can contain less moisture-retaining ingredients and less ability to retain moisture. In addition, the thinness of the skin makes it easy for the barrier function to deteriorate, and the moisture inside the skin can easily evaporate and dry out.
The type of wrinkles that appear depends on which part of the skin the dryness extends to.
If the dryness affects the epidermis, the surface layer of the skin, it appears as fine lines and wrinkles. If the dryness progresses further and extends to the dermis layer, the skin becomes hardened, and is more likely to become fixed as folded skin wrinkles (horizontal wrinkles) caused by facial expressions and movements. When it reaches the deepest subcutaneous tissue, it causes a decrease in metabolism and leads to sagging.
In addition, the reduced skin barrier function due to dryness makes the skin more susceptible to external stimuli such as ultraviolet rays, thus contributing to the effects of ultraviolet rays, which will be discussed next.
(2) Ultraviolet rays
Ultraviolet rays penetrate into the skin and destroy collagen and elastin even when the skin's barrier function is normal. The neck is also an area susceptible to UV rays and is particularly vulnerable to the effects of UV rays due to the reduced barrier function caused by dryness.
Collagen and elastin are found in the dermis layer of the skin and are responsible for skin firmness and elasticity. When these proteins such as collagen and elastin are destroyed by UV light, the skin loses its strength and elasticity, making wrinkles more likely to form.
(iii) Attitude
Neck wrinkles are often affected by posture, especially when the same posture is maintained for long periods of time, which can lead to wrinkle formation. This is especially true of forward-bent postures that put pressure on the front of the neck, such as when using a smartphone or computer, or when using a high pillow. When folds are repeated in the same area after prolonged periods of forward bending posture, permanent wrinkles such as horizontal creases form.
The forward-bent posture is also hard on the muscles and causes poor blood circulation around the neck. Poor circulation makes it difficult to supply sufficient nutrients and oxygen to the skin, which impairs skin health and makes wrinkles more likely to appear. At the same time, poor circulation causes muscles to contract, which in turn creates a vicious cycle of repeated poor posture.
(4) Contracture of the vastus lateralis muscle
The broad cervical muscles are located on the front of the neck and are responsible for supporting the skin around the neck and collarbone.
Muscles can be likened to rubber because they are inherently soft and stretchable. As rubber deteriorates, it becomes stiff and does not stretch. Similarly, when muscles become stiff, it becomes difficult for them to stretch. The term "contracture" is used to describe the stiffening and loss of movement of muscles, and there are various causes of contracture, including aging, poor circulation, and excessive muscle tension.
The vastus lateralis muscle originally exerts a tension that pulls the skin downward when it contracts. However, when the vastus lateralis muscle contracts, this pulling force weakens, causing the skin to sag and vertical wrinkles to appear. This is the same principle as when you stretch the laundry downward to dry it and the wrinkles disappear, but when you stop stretching the laundry, the wrinkles appear.
(5) Decrease in skin elasticity due to aging
Decreased skin elasticity occurs as a physiological change associated with aging. This is because collagen and elastin naturally decrease with age, and the function of the cells that produce them (fibroblasts) also declines or decreases. In addition, as we have explained, damage caused by dryness and UV rays accumulates with age, reducing the strength and elasticity of the skin.
Collagen and elastin work to restore stretched skin to its original state, but if this function is weakened, the stretched skin does not return and remains stretched.
In addition, as the broad cervical muscles weaken, the skin becomes lax because it no longer exerts a pinning tension on the skin.
At the same time, loose skin is more easily pulled downward by gravity. A simple example of this is when a plump person becomes noticeably saggy as he or she ages.
As we age, fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue become enlarged due to a decline in metabolism. The enlarged fat cells are more susceptible to being pulled downward by gravity, causing the skin to sag in combination with loose skin, regardless of body weight. This is why sagging is especially noticeable in those who are originally plump.
Q: I am in my 20s. Why do my neck wrinkles stand out even though I am young?
The neck is considered a wrinkle-prone area, even for young people, such as those in their 20s.
The most common wrinkles seen in young people are fine lines and horizontal wrinkles (necklace lines). This is because these wrinkles tend to form due to external factors such as posture, dryness, and UV rays.
In addition, people who are repeatedly on diets that involve extreme weight gain or loss may experience sagging even at a young age. The reason for this is that when the skin stretches over a short period of time to accommodate weight gain, the elasticity of the skin cannot keep up, resulting in skin that is prone to sagging and wrinkling.
Commentary: Do the five treatments that are said to eliminate wrinkles on the neck really improve wrinkles?
Here I would like to explain the benefits of five treatments that are thought to eliminate neck wrinkles, including creams, massage, and stretching.
Cream｜Active ingredients and moisturizing effect, effective for fine wrinkles
It is believed that creams that contain ingredients that are known to help with wrinkles can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
There are a variety of beauty ingredients that are known to help with wrinkles,
- Retinol (Vitamin A)
- Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
and others.
- Retinol: a powerful ingredient that promotes collagen production and turnover, which can be used to treat a wide range of wrinkles, from deep to fine lines and wrinkles
- Niacinamide: prevents wrinkle formation and reduces the appearance of existing wrinkles by supporting both moisture retention and collagen production
Care with moisturizing creams can also prevent the progression of wrinkles.
However, it is believed that wrinkles that can be improved by self-care such as creams are limited to fine wrinkles on the epidermis, and for more established wrinkles, it is better to rely on cosmetic medicine.
Q: Can drugstore creams remove wrinkles on the neck?
Even creams sold in drugstores,Creams containing "retinol" or "niacinamide" ingredients are considered creams that show promise for wrinkle improvement.
One point to note, however, is that drugstores sell a mixture of quasi-drug and cosmetic products. Quasi-drugs are defined as products that are approved to improve wrinkles to some extent, while cosmetics are not clearly approved for this effect. Please check when purchasing a product for those that are labeled "quasi-drugs" or those that bear the certification mark of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Q: Is Nivea cream effective in removing wrinkles on the neck?
NIVEA is widely known as a long-selling skincare product in a blue can, but it is not expected to be very effective in terms of "improving wrinkles. The reason for this is that NIVEA is a cream composed mainly of water and oil, and does not contain any ingredients that can help to eliminate wrinkles.
Due to the nature of its ingredients, it can apply a protective film to the skin to prevent moisture from evaporating, and is thought to prevent dryness and thereby have a moisturizing effect.It may help with fine lines and wrinkles, but it will be difficult to eliminate more established wrinkles.
Massage｜Excessive massage is not acceptable.
Some people use massage for neck wrinkles, but massage is not recommended. The reason,On the contrary, there is a risk of contributing to sagging.
The purpose of massage is supposed to improve blood flow, thereby promoting metabolism, relieving muscle tension, and increasing skin flexibility. However, the process of massage is expected to cause stress to the skin, such as "excessive pressure" and "skin friction," and such stress can contribute to wrinkles.
When massaging, use creams or oils, and do not rub the skin and do not exert pressure.
Stretching｜Wrinkles are not expected to be eliminated, but muscle contractures are improved.
Posture is one of the causes of wrinkles, and we have explained that prolonged poor posture causes muscles to contract due to poor blood circulation, creating a vicious cycle that leads to repetition of even more poor posture.
Stretching the neck, shoulders, back, etc. is effective in removing the causes of wrinkles in terms of improving blood flow and muscle contractures. However,We do not believe that stretching will lead to the elimination of wrinkles.
Stretching itself is effective in preventing wrinkles in terms of promoting blood circulation and preventing muscle contractures, and should be combined with skin care that includes moisturizing and anti-aging ingredients.
Pillows｜Prevent wrinkles carved out at bedtime.
The use of high pillows also leads to wrinkle formation. Therefore, changing to a pillow with a lower height that allows neck extension is a good idea,It is effective in preventing wrinkles in the neck.Changing pillows does not necessarily eliminate wrinkles that have already taken hold, but if your goal is to prevent wrinkles from forming while you are still young and to prevent wrinkles from forming further, changing pillows can be effective. However, if your goal is to "prevent wrinkles from forming at a young age" or "prevent wrinkles from forming further," changing your pillow may be effective. It may be a good idea to have a pillow made to fit your body at a specialized pillow store.
Cosmetic Medicine｜Many types of effective treatments are available for various wrinkles
Cosmetic medicine can be used to eliminate wrinkles in the neck that have already taken hold.
This is because cosmetics are for "prevention and maintaining the status quo," while medicine is supposed to "bring about changes (effects and benefits) in the body.
Aesthetic medicine offers a wide variety of treatments for various wrinkles, including injections such as hyaluronic acid, irradiation such as lasers, and surgical procedures performed when sagging is severe.
Self-care is only effective to a limited extent, and it is difficult to restore wrinkles that have formed. If you are struggling to manage wrinkles on your neck, cosmetic medicine is an option.
Q: What is the recommended treatment for someone with severe neck wrinkles?
Injection-based procedures, such as Profibro injections, JalPro HMW injections, and PRP injections, are the recommended treatments. The reason for this is that they are less risky and have fewer side effects, yet are fully effective.
There are always risks and side effects, including downtime, to varying degrees when performing cosmetic procedures. Although there are risks and side effects for these three procedures, they are considered relatively minor, with the only downtime being pain when the needle is inserted during the procedure and internal bleeding or redness that may occur after the procedure.
On the other hand, these three procedures not only make wrinkles less noticeable, but also have the effect of eliminating the thinning of the skin (collagen, elastin, hyaluronic acid loss, etc.) that is the root cause of wrinkles. In other words, it is expected to both eliminate existing wrinkles and prevent wrinkles from forming in the future.
Cosmetic Dermatology Treatment] Treatment recommended by cosmetic dermatologists for improving wrinkles on the neck.
We introduced "Profibro injections," "JalPro HMW injections," and "PRP injections" as recommended for people with severe neck wrinkles, and we will explain what each of these procedures is.
These three treatments are,
- Profibro injection, Jalpro HMW injection - Non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid
- PRP injection - Regenerative medicine
The two can be broadly classified as follows.
profilo injection
Profibro injections are called the next generation of hyaluronic acidnon-cross-linked hyaluronic acidThe main ingredient of this formulation is
What is non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid?
Non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid is hyaluronic acid that is not cross-linked.
Cross-linking means chemically joining molecules together, but non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid does not stay in the injected area to create volume like conventional hyaluronic acid,Hyaluronic acid in a form that allows the injected hyaluronic acid to penetrate easily into the skinIt is possible to say.
Hyaluronic acid has moisturizing and cell-stimulating and activating properties.Therefore, the injected non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid widely penetrates and diffuses, and has a broad moisturizing effect and stimulates cell activation.
Cellular activation also extends to the "fibroblasts," which are the cells in the dermis layer that produce various cell types. When fibroblasts are activated, they replicate themselves and produce new collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, thereby enriching the dermis layer and strengthening the skin's self-repair function.
By the way.that skin tissue enrichment and self-repair functions are enhanced.ECM RemodelingHe says.
Profilo is characterized by its high concentration of two types of non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid, low molecular weight and high molecular weight, and its "multi-directional deep and wide penetration.
This permeability allows the effects of hyaluronic acid to reach the subcutaneous tissue, which in turn allows moisture to penetrate deep into the skin. It is also believed that cellular activation extends to the subcutaneous tissue, thereby restoring healthy, firm skin.
If you would like to know more about Profilo, please refer to this article.
Because of these profilo effects, the dryness that causes wrinkles in the neck and the decrease in collagen and elastin are eliminated,The entire neck can be expected to have a brighter, plumper, healthier skin with improved texture.
Jalpro HMW injection
JalPro HMW injections are also non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products, so they are similar to Profibro injections.ECM Remodelingeffects can be expected. (ECM remodeling is explained in the profilo injections, so please refer to that section.)
JalPro HMW Injection is a formulation that contains non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid and amino acids as its main ingredients, and is unique in that it uses high molecular weight, high molecular weight non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid.
The larger the molecular weight, the more difficult it is to pass through the spaces between skin cells and the longer it takes to break down. Although non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid "diffuses," it is more likely to remain in the injected area than low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, and the duration of effect is longer.
Because of these effects and properties,JalPro HMW is considered to be particularly effective for horizontal wrinkles that have become entrenched.
In other words, when injected into wrinkles and hollows, the formulation stays there and fills in the grooves of the wrinkles. In addition, when hyaluronic acid itself combines with the drawn moisture, it swells and increases in volume, further reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
At the same time, the elasticity and firmness of the skin around the injected area will be restored by the ECM remodeling effect, which is expected to eliminate skin folds.
If you would like to know more about Jalpro HMW, please refer to this article.
PRP injection
Summary｜Cosmetic medicine to eliminate wrinkles in the neck
We have discussed the types and causes of neck wrinkles and the benefits of care that is known to help with neck wrinkles.
As I told you at the beginning,Established wrinkles are difficult to eliminate without the use of cosmetic medicine, and self-care is only effective in eliminating the surface creases.
If you are suffering from neck wrinkles and want to get rid of them, you will be able to feel the wrinkles disappear faster with the help of cosmetic treatments. And at the same time, we believe that by being aware of the posture that prevents wrinkles from forming, and by taking daily skincare measures such as moisturizing and UV protection, the effects of the cosmetic treatment you receive will last longer and help you maintain healthy skin for a longer period of time.
In addition to the three recommended injections, Smart Skin Clinic also offers a full range of other injectable procedures, including dermapen, which can be used in combination with ECM remodeling synergistic effects, and water light injections.
We will listen to your concerns and wishes, and propose the best treatment for you.