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While it’s true that the skin on your face and around your eyes age significantly faster than the rest of your body—up to 28 years in some cases, (1) the neck, décolletage, and hands are just as susceptible to the effects of sun damage, environmental stressors, and aging.
Neglecting these delicate areas can lead to a noticeable contrast in the texture and appearance of your skin. That’s why today, we’re focusing on this often-forgotten-about skin, showing you the scientifically proven tips for keeping it as healthy and smooth as the skin on your face. But first, learn why these regions need special TLC in the first place.
How is the Skin on the Neck, Décolletage, and Hands Different?
If you’ve done the skin pinch test on your hand or caught a glimpse of your neck during a Zoom call, you know these areas can be drier, less elastic, and more fragile. The reason is because the neck, décolletage, and hands have fewer sebaceous (oil) glands, collagen, and elastin, which makes them more prone to show the visible signs of aging. (2,3) If that weren’t enough to get your attention, this skin also tends to become thinner as you age and have trouble retaining moisture.
This Skin Gets Thinner with Age
Thanks to changes in the epidermis and dermis, the neck, décolletage, and hands are particularly vulnerable to thinning as you get older. Here’s why:
- Elastin and collagen fibers begin to break down (especially after menopause) (4,5)
- Sebaceous glands don’t produce as much oil as they used to
This Skin Loses Moisture Easily
When the skin lacks hydration, it loses its elasticity and plumpness, accentuating the visible signs of aging. Compared to other parts of the body, these are some of the driest areas due to the fact that they have fewer sebaceous glands. But that’s not the only reason:
- Frequent washing of hands can strip away moisture, leaving skin rough and crepey (3)
- Exposure to environmental factors compromise the skin barrier further, leaving it even drier (6)
This Skin is Highly Exposed
UV radiation is responsible for 80-90% of visible aging signs like wrinkles, sagging, and uneven pigmentation. (8) Something to keep in mind since your hands and neck are regularly exposed.
- UV exposure can damage the DNA in skin cells and break down collagen and elastin proteins, causing the skin to lose its firmness and elasticity. (7)
- With time, the accumulation of UV-induced senescent (aka zombie) cells contribute to further collagen degradation.