Chances are that right now, you’re not sitting upright with your shoulders back and your eyes perfectly level with whatever screen you’re reading this on. We’d also bet that your screen time activity has skyrocketed in the last few weeks, which means you’ve been looking down a hell of a lot more than usual. And while the last thing any of us need is one more worry added to our plates, it’s worth considering how your neck is doing at this time. Hunching over and holding your head at unnatural angles not only causes premature lines and skin laxity, but it can lead to serious pain and stiffness down the line.
To help you avoid “tech neck,” we asked four dermatologists everything they do to keep the area taut and line-free—from creams to in-office treatments. Take a moment to readjust yourself, then treat your neck to some TLC.
Thermage, Ultherapy, antioxidants, and lasers
“The procedure that I have done most often for my neck is Thermage, which employs radiofrequency to tighten the skin. It is best used in patients who have mild laxity and it helps to prevent future laxity. This treatment involves delivering pulses of energy and heat into the deeper layers of the skin, causing collagen tightening. Since my mid-30s, I’ve done this once a year for maintenance. If neck and jawline laxity is mild to moderate, I may also recommend Ultherapy, which allows for deep skin tightening.
“Good skin care is essential for the neck as well. I use the same active products on my face and neck which contain antioxidants (vitamin C and E, ferulic) and retinoids, although I am more sparing with the retinoid on my neck because it can be more sensitive. My favorite neck cream is Alastin Restorative Neck Complex, which helps stimulate collagen and elastin.
“To further help with crepey skin, I have started doing monthly treatments with Clear and Brilliant. This mild laser stimulates collagen on a more superficial level and helps to diminish fine lines and improve mild texture concerns. In the future, I may even consider stronger laser treatments such as Fraxel Dual or Halo, which are both very popular neck treatments in our office with minimal downtime. We often combine these laser treatments with BBL [BroadBand Light] to diminish brown spots, redness, and sun damage that occurs on the neck from chronic sun exposure. The key with the neck is to combine treatments for best results. Skin care and laser treatments can help for superficial lines and crepey texture, BBL helps with pigment/discoloration, and the skin-tightening treatments are best to help with mild skin laxity issues. Protection is also important, so don’t forget to apply and reapply sunscreen on the neck every time you apply on the face.” —Dr. Geeta Shah, board-certified dermatologist in Chevy Chase, Maryland
Botox, Ultherapy, microneedling, and high-tech skincare
“I Botox my neck whenever I notice some banding occurring. Since I’ve been using Alastin Restorative Neck Complex for the past year, I’ve found that I don’t need to do Botox as often—now it’s just a couple times a year. I also apply my usual face skin-care routine to my neck, in an upward motion for lymphatic drainage. [That includes] ISDIN vitamin C, Omni TaC Daily Restorative Facial Serum with M-007 (human growth factors), Emepelle Serum (estrogen receptor activator), Alastin Restorative Skin Complex (I do both Alastin creams to my face and neck), and ISDIN SPF (which has DNA repair enzymes and antioxidants). At night, I swap SPF for ISDIN Melatonik. It has melatonin, which helps to regenerate glutathione, and bakuchiol, a plant-derived retinoid. Occasionally, I’ll do a home chemical peel to my face, neck, and chest.
“I love what Ultherapy has done for my neck [in terms of] tightening and texture—I’ve had it twice over the past five years. I’ve also had a few rounds of Scarlet radiofrequency microneedling to my neck, which gives a visible improvement a little faster than Ultherapy. I sit under my Celluma LED lights and give myself a cryofacial when I have the time. I’m too lazy to use a gua sha, facial roller, or other handheld home devices, even though I have quite a few of these. I tend to reach for my lasers, because I like instant gratification and I have the luxury of doing so.” —Dr. Jessie Cheung, board-certified dermatologist in Willowbrook, Illinois
Filler, Botox, growth factor products, and radiofrequency treatments
“The neck is an often neglected area and I definitely started later in terms of rejuvenation treatments for it. One thing to always do is make sure you are bringing sunscreen onto the neck while you are applying to the face. The vitamin C serums and growth factor products that I use on my face always get a little attention on the neck, but I also use a dedicated neck cream. Right now, I’m loving the tightening effects of Alastin Restorative Neck Complex. I apply everything on the neck with upward strokes towards my chin.
“I Botox both the platysmal bands and a little along the jawline twice a year just to keep good lift of the skin on the jawline. To address laxity, I’ve done a treatment with bio stimulatory filler (hyperdiluted Radiesse)—not for volume but to induce new collagen and elastic tissue production. When I get the time, I also try to use radiofrequency treatments like Exilis Ultra to tighten my jawline and neck area.” —Dr. Annie Chiu, board-certified dermatologist in Redondo Beach, California
Botox, Ultherapy, microneedling, and retinols
“I have the lateral lines across my neck and they’re my nemesis, so I do Botox every three to four months. It really does soften them and make a radical difference, but it can get pricey for patients. Three popular treatments for the neck in our office are Ultherapy, which is ultrasound-based and best for those who are further along [in the aging process] since it goes the deepest to tighten; infrared radiation with the Titan; and radiofrequency microneedling devices, like Vivace, Secret RF, and Genius. I’ve done Ultherapy along my jawline and radiofrequency microneedling for my neck.
For skin care, the neck skin is a lot more sensitive than the face, so you can use creams with retinols in them, but not a straight retinol. I use ISDIN Age Contour and Revision Skincare Nectifirm. Always apply in an upward motion and follow lymphatic drainage along the jawline.” —Dr. Sapna Palep, board-certified dermatologist in New York City
