One of the biggest complaints I’ve heard from friends and industry colleagues during the COVID era? “My neck looks awful on Zoom.” I feel the exact same way. Even the prettiest ring lights can’t make my neck bands disappear, and while most of their appearance is due to genetics and sun exposure, the simple act of us constantly looking down at our phones (and everything else tech-induced) plays a role as well. Unfortunately, this trio of factors leaves many of us with frustrating horizontal lines that deepen with age, as well as increased laxity, which makes skin sag and appear crepey.
Now for the positive news: There are products and treatments that can help address these concerns, and a recent favorite is SkinCeuticals’ new neck product, Tripeptide-R Neck Repair. “Neck aging is a universal skin-care concern, though not everyone realizes the neck requires its own, hyper-targeted treatment because it ages differently from the face,” says Christina Fair, U.S. general manager of SkinCeuticals. “We are so excited to introduce Tripeptide-R Neck Repair, as it is truly an innovation in the neck aging landscape and works efficaciously on its own, while also complementing in-office procedures.”
Annapolis, MD plastic surgeon Kelly Sullivan, MD says the neck skin tends to show more severe signs of aging than the face, which is typically due to its greater sun exposure (many people also put SPF and skin care on their face, but forget about their neck). “Skin on the neck is thinner and more elastic than facial skin,” she explains, “so when it experiences photoaging due to long-term sun exposure, it leads to the degradation of collagen and damage to the skin’s elastin fibers, enhancing signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of firmness and hyperpigmentation.”
For these reasons, Dr. Sullivan stresses that the face and neck require different skin-care treatments; hence, SkinCeuticals went to work to create the ultimate formula that addresses neck aging in multiple ways. “This product contains 0.2 percent pure retinol to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, 2.5 percent tripeptide concentrate to help strengthen and firm neck skin, and 5 percent glaucine complex to support skin’s resistance to visible neck aging,” adds Dr. Sullivan. In a 16-week U.S. clinical study, participants experienced a 27 percent improvement in crepiness, a 16 percent improvement in horizontal neck lines and a 16 percent improvement in neck skin elasticity.
For best results, Dr. Sullivan recommended I apply one to two pumps every other night from my chest up to my jawline, and once my skin got acclimated, I could up my usage to every night. “After the second week, you can use it twice a day if you prefer, but be sure to follow up with sunscreen during the day,” says Dr. Sullivan, noting that it does contain photosensitive retinol. I loved the weight and creaminess of the formula without being greasy or having my hair stick to my neck, which is a pet peeve of mine with many neck products.
And in addition to my daily dose of Tripeptide-R Neck Repair, Dr. Sullivan stressed the importance of staying hydrated, which can also impact the quality of the skin on the neck. “Preserving collagen is crucial to prevent photoaging, so I recommend good hydration and nutrition, including daily vitamin C, to further support the effect of an anti-aging neck product.” —Brittany Burhop Fallon
