The Neglected Neck

Ever heard the saying “The true age of a woman is revealed by looking at her neck?” It’s true, we spend so much time and money taking care of our face that we often forget there is an extension of our face-and that is our neck. This biggest “ah ha” of this moment should be that your face doesn’t start at your forehead and end at your chin, it actually ends as the base of your neck.

By following the same skin care regimen for your face and including your neck, you can fight the battle of age and be that mysterious woman whose neck reveals nothing!

Basic Tips
Always work in upwards motions. Gravity is working against us. When applying creams or working with the neck area, always sweep upwards and outwards.

Corrective vs. preventative: If you have neglected your neck and it is showing signs of aging, you are in corrective mode and require more potent anti-aging products. I hope that today we will awaken your senses to caring for this extension of your face NOW so you prevent it telling your true age later.

Use treatment serums and moisturizing creams. They will extend the benefits of consistent skin care by keeping your chest area looking radiant and youthful.

Keep it Clean
When washing your face both morning and night, be sure to include your neck area. If you have longer hair or wear high collars, dirt and oils also affect your neck area. Be sure to cleanse from top of hairline down to base of the neck.

For the optimal cleansing experience, choose a cleanser for your skin type and use the Clairsonic Mia cleansing device. This device not only provides micro massaging for the skin, it also:
Cleanses 6x better than with your hands alone in just 60 seconds;
Works with skin, not against it, to gently massage away impurities trapped within pores;
Prepares skin for better absorption of creams, serums and moisturizer;
Gentle enough to use 2x a day.

Clairsonic Mia cleansing device, Apothica, $119

X-Trap Cleansing Experience, which contains Xeolite which are anti-pollutant boosters and shea butter to keep skin soft, Apothica, $37.95

Scrub Does Apply Here
When using your gentle exfoliating product 2-3 times a week, remember that dead skin cells collect on your neck area making the neck look dull and eventually leads to sagging skin. Glycolic Acid is a great way to not only gently encourage cellular turn over, but to also keep the skin firm and healthy. The POWER house of treatment is Vivite Exfoliating Facial which has Glycolic and exfoliating beads.

Vivite Exfoliating Facial, Apothica, $39

Smooth the Wrinkles
If you have neglected your neck, do not despair. There are some powerful products to help aging, sagging skin. One of the most revolutionary instant firming products that has some lasting benefits can be found over the counter. Use it three times a week for maximum benefits.

Peter Thomas Roth Instant FIRMx™, Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center, $35

Plump is Positive
Think of a plum and a prune. The only difference? Lack of moisture. Make sure to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize, morning and night to keep skin amply plump and to keep wrinkles at bay.

For nighttime, look for a cream that has anti-aging ingredients in addition to powerful moisturizing capability. This will give you multiple benefits from one application.

The sun can age you faster than anything so make sure that your daytime moisturizer has sunscreen in it and that you apply it all over your face and neck until absorbed.

Daytime: Mario Badescu Moisture Magnet, Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser Center, $22
Nighttime: La Roche-Posay Hydraphase, Gateway Aesthetic Institute and Laser, $32

Make it a V

V-Neck collars are ALWAYS the most flattering no matter the state of your neck. When you open up the space in you décolleté it automatically lengthens and leans the appearance of your neck area. So for the most appealing neckline, opt for a V every time.

V-Neck Shirt, Maurices, $19.99