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Neck Wrinkles

Written by: Alice Hart-Davis

Last Updated: 22 September 2023

When our necks start looking old, it is a real heartsink. It’s that moment when you realise you aren’t imagining it; ageing really has crept up on you when you weren’t looking. The main culprits are crepey skin and neck wrinkles. They tend to go hand-in-hand, so I’ll cover them both in the same place here. There’s a good deal you can do to improve the appearance of your neck, especially if you are up for trying the latest tweakments. Scroll down for answers to all the FAQs about neck wrinkles. For more information, download our handy e-book below.

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Why does my neck look older than my face?

It’s just one of those things. The neck is more likely to show signs of ageing that the face, and also most of us didn’t learn to look after our necks at a young enough age. If we had been scrupulous about applying supportive serums, moisturisers and sunscreen from our twenties, well, we would be laughing. But as it is, when we start using products on our face, we rarely think to use them all the way from the hairline to the breastbone, taking in the neck and the decolletage along the way. Especially if the products are expensive. The result is that our necks go on ageing that bit faster than our faces, and past a certain age—usually around the menopause—that difference becomes very noticeable.

Can I use fillers to cure a crepey neck?

Well, they won’t cure a crepey neck but fillers can help to improve the look of a crepey neck—a little. The difficulty is that, unless the wrinkles along the neck are deep horizontal lines, filling them in can make them look overstuffed, which looks unnatural and doesn’t provide a great result. I have tried a very soft type of injectable filler called Aliaxin in my neck wrinkles, which helped a bit.

How to tighten neck skin without surgery?

There are a few ways that you can tighten the skin on the neck without resorting to surgery. For more information, download the Neck Wrinkles e-book below. The key ones to know about are:

Injectable moisture treatments to tighten crepey neck skin
You wouldn’t expect a treatment that is originally about hydrating the skin from the inside to be able to tighten the skin at the same time, but injectable moisture treatments such as Profhilo, Restylane SkinBoosters, Teosyal Redensity 1 and Juvederm Volite encourage ‘bioremodelling’ of the skin. This means the skin will begin to produce more of its own collagen and elastin, and become stronger, smoother and a little tighter, too.

Focussed ultrasound treatment to tighten crepey neck skin
High-intensity focussed ultrasound (HIFU) treatments—one brand of HIFU treatment is called Ultherapy—aim pulses of focussed ultrasound energy deep into the skin, to stimulate the growth of new collagen from well below the surface.

Radiofrequency treatment for a crepey neck and neck wrinkles
radiofrequency treatment involves generating enough heat within the skin that the collagen thinks that it has been damaged. When it is damaged, it shrinks a little, so you get a small immediate tightening effect, and then, to try and repair itself, the skin produces more collagen, which helps strengthen, smooth and firm up the skin. A course of treatments will give the best results.

Fractional laser treatment for neck wrinkles
This treatment uses laser energy to regenerate the skin. Laser targets the surface of the skin, and a ‘fractional’ treatment fires the laser through a grid of fine holes. This creates microscopic channels of damage within the skin, which stimulate the production of newer, fresher, stronger skin as they heal. Because there are fractions of untreated skin between these channels of damage, the skin heals up far more quickly than if the entire surface is blasted with laser. You will probably need more than one session for best results.

Can over-the-counter skincare creams help neck wrinkles?

Using the right serums and creams can help keep your neck looking better, particularly if you use the same skincare as you use on your face:

  • Hydrating hyaluronic acid serums to plump the skin cells;
  • Antioxidant Vitamin C serum to stimulate the fibroblasts that make collagen and to rein in the activity of the melanocytes that product pigmentation marks;
  • Retinol or another retinoid for a properly powerful collagen-boosting and skin-smoothing effect; and
  • Sunscreen. Never forget the sunscreen.

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FAQ ABOUT Neck Wrinkles


Why does my neck look so old?

Necks are just different. The skin here is thinner than on your face, which means that it collapses more easily into wrinkles and folds, particularly given the way we twist and turn and stretch and compress our necks the whole time. Then there’s the fact that there are precious few oil glands in neck skin to keep the skin supple. It all gets much worse for women when we hit the menopause and, thanks to the reduction in oestrogen, the skin gets drier and loses elasticity.

Is my phone making my neck look old?

Hmm, possibly. First, there’s the way that we spend so much time with our heads bent forward looking at our devices, which presses the wrinkles in the neck more firmly into place. (This can also cause upper-back problems and a hunched posture.) It’s what some people call ‘tech neck’. Next, there is the fact that devices such as phones, TVs and computer monitors give out blue light, also called high energy visible (HEV) light, which has the potential to age the skin in a similar way to UV light.

What are the surgical options for neck wrinkles?

You could always have a neck lift, which will tighten the skin and will help to redefine the jawline as well as reducing the crepey look of older, loose skin.

Can toxins help with neck wrinkles and sagging?

Yes, toxins can also help with the appearance of neck wrinkles and can help to redefine the jawline, too. Some practitioners call this procedure the ‘Nefertiti neck lift’, which is described below.

Does the Nefertiti neck lift help with neck wrinkles?

Yes, the Nefertiti neck lift – named after the Egyptian queen famous for her sculpted jawline and beautiful neck – can improve the appearance of neck wrinkles, though it depends what sort of neck wrinkles you have. The procedure is better at softening tight bands of muscle down the neck, the ones that make the neck look stringy, rather than softening the horizontal ‘necklace lines’.

How the Nefertiti neck lift works is that the practitioner injects small quantities of toxins or other wrinkle-relaxing toxin into muscles around the neck and jaw. Releasing the ‘pull’ of these muscles enables the skin tissues to move back into a more flattering shape around the jaw.

What’s the best treatment for a crepey neck?

The best tweakment I have tried for a crepey neck is an ‘injectable moisture’ treatment called Profhilo, which places a lightweight hyaluronic acid gel into the skin. The gel spreads to cover the treated area and because it is lightly ‘crosslinked’ it remains in the skin for 30 days. During this time the gel hydrates the skin by holding water inside the skin tissues and stimulates the growth of new collagen and elastin. You need two treatments, 30 days apart, in order to see results, which kick in about 8 weeks after the first treatment. The results you can hope to see include stronger, firmer skin which is more resilient and which springs back into place more swiftly when you pinch it. And if you are lucky you will see a certain amount of skin tightening, too. All these elements help reduce the crepey appearance of ageing skin on the neck.

What are the best home remedies for neck wrinkles?

I wouldn’t advise any particular home remedies for neck wrinkles but I’d suggest you get going with a decent skincare regime that includes active skincare products that are able to make an improvement in the skin (see below for the types of products to use). You could also consider trying home-use beauty devices to improve the quality of the skin on your neck.

Can any home-use beauty devices get rid of neck wrinkles?

Nothing is going to get rid of those wrinkles completely, but yes, some home-use beauty devices are able to improve the appearance of neck wrinkles. The only secret to getting the best results from these home beauty devices is to use them as frequently as recommended. They offer lower-powered versions of the technology that you find in clinics, so repeated use is the key to success.

  • The Tripollar Stop uses radiofrequency energy to stimulate the growth of new collagen in the skin. This will strengthen and tighten the skin, and soften the appearance of wrinkles.
  • The Current Body Skin LED mask uses red and infrared light to regenerate the skin. Studies have shown that it can improve skin hydration and firmness and reduce wrinkles measurably. Because it is a flexible sheet of a mask, it is easy to drape it over the neck and will give results if used as directed.

Will edible collagen supplements help my neck wrinkles?

It is well worth trying one of the collagen supplements that has decent data to show that it can improve the firmness and elasticity of the skin from the inside out. There’s a whole factsheet on collagen supplements here.

What are the best exercises for neck wrinkles?

There are exercises that you can do for the neck but they will help more with the neck muscles than with the quality of the skin that lies above them. Here is one that will tone the band of muscle that runs from your jaw down the front and sides of your neck:

  1. Wrap your lower teeth over your upper lip and push your lower lip forward
  2. Press your tongue against the back of your teeth and hold for a count of five. Repeat five times.
  3. Do this four times a week.

ASK ALICE

Alice answers your question. Want to ask Alice a question? Pop it in here and check back in a few days for the answer.


I’m looking to tighten my neck and jowls. Can you advise which gives the best results between the following treatments – Morpheus 8, Profound, and NeoGen Plasma? Also have you heard of Facetite (a fine probe in place under the skin to tighten).

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. What will give you the best result depends on your neck and jowls specifically – how much sagging you have, if it's skin or fat – and other factors like budget, how much downtime you're willing to deal with, etc. Morpheus8 and Profound are RF needling devices that can be used in a certain way to melt fat at the same time as tightening up the overlying skin via stimulating collagen production, but if there's a fair bit of fat in addition to skin laxity, you'd be better off going with Facetite because liposuction can be done at the same time. Find a great practitioner who can advise you what will be best for...

Hi Alice. I have read about Ellevate for neck treatments. I think it’s quite new. Do you have any information on it?

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. It looks to essentially be a thread lift procedure to contour the jaw and neck, so could be a good solution for sagging skin in that area that needs some structural support and tightening. I don't know loads about it but there are some TTG-registered practitioners who offer it, like Dr Munir Somji of Dr MediSpa in London and Essex.

Do you recommend Ultherapy for the neck specifically? So many specialists – plastic surgeons and dermatologists – have differing opinions on its effectiveness.

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Totally depends on what you want to treat. Ultherapy can get brilliant results on lax skin on the neck but it's very patient-specific – which is probably why you're finding such mixed opinions – so it's vital you see a practitioner experienced in using it who can advise if you're a suitable candidate.

The dreaded neck area – can Profhilo, toxin, a thread lift or Morpheus8 etc. help to tighten and lift it while I'm saving up for a neck lift? Practitioners of these kinds of tweakments say they absolutely can, but the surgeon I'm considering going...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. So, Profhilo and other injectable moisturisers: minimal tightening, no lift. Toxin: can help to soften 'stringiness' in the neck caused by over-tight muscles, but will only last 3-6 months. Threads: absolutely avoid because a lot of surgeons are very wary of performing a lift on a face or neck that has previously been altered with threads – they can complicate the procedure. Morpheus8 or other radiofrequency microneedling devices, and ultrasound: great options for achieving a small amount of tightening and lifting but not cheap and won't give the big results you're looking for. So they're both right -...

Hello, I am 48 and really starting to look old, especially when I look at photos. What do you recommend as the most effective way to look fresher and better without toxin or filler? Is it HIFU or profound or another treatment? Or would I really need...

Hiya, TTG editor Georgia here. Dr Strawford will be best placed to answer all these questions for you once he's assessed your face and talked to you about your exact concerns. He is an expert practitioner with a great deal of experience. The tweakments you mention – HIFU, Profound (RF microneedling), toxin, and filler – all do different things that work towards making you look fresher and younger, but not in the same ways. Toxin for example won’t do anything about sagging skin but HIFU will, Profound will stimulate collagen production to tighten and plump the skin, but won’t replace lost volume in the ways filler will. So it all...

Hello Alice. Do you have any particular recommendations from your practitioners list (London area) who would administer toxins in the neck / jowl area to treat signs of sagging neck? Or will all practitioners do this? Many thanks.

Toxin is good for releasing tight muscle-bands under the jaw and down the neck. Pretty well all practitioners offer this as a treatment option, if you're an appropriate candidate. Narrow down our register of trusted practitioners to find someone near you in London and see what they can do for you.

After following your guide I’m looking to book an appointment with Emma Deacon in Birmingham. I’m very nervous as it will be my first time having treatment. Can you advise which treatment works best on a crepey neck?

It's really daunting going for treatment but honestly, you'll be fine. I'd ask Emma once she's had a chance to have a look at your neck as she will know what might work best for you, and she may well suggest a few rounds of injectable moisturiser jabs. Read up about potential treatments for crepey necks and make a list of all the questions you want to ask before you go. In the meantime, use the same skincare on your neck as you do on your face, perhaps a vitamin C serum plus a hydrating serum or moisturiser in the mornings, with a retinoid at night, and make sure you're using SPF50 every day, from your hairline down your neck to your chest,...

What is the best treatment for the décolletage area, please? Creases are starting to appear.

Laser or radiofrequency microneedling would both be great choices, to refresh and remodel the skin – possibly followed by hydrating, skin-conditioning injectable moisturiser treatments. While you're deciding, and going forward, use the same skincare on your chest as you do on your face, perhaps a vitamin C serum plus a hydrating serum or moisturiser in the mornings, with a retinoid at night, and make sure you're using SPF50 every day, from your hairline down your neck to your chest....

Hi Alice, do you feel filler is any good for necklace lines? I've had them for 20 years. Or is there a better alternative? I've done Morpheus8 and Profhilo and seen no difference.

Hmm, if Morpheus8 and Profhilo haven't made any difference, then maybe one of the softer fillers could help? A few years ago, I had injections of a filler called Aliaxin in my neck wrinkles (alongside Profhilo) which gave a very nice result with no strange lumpy bits. What does your practitioner suggest? They know your neck better than I do, and might have other tricks up their sleeve in terms of tweakments that could help you....

Hi Alice, I've just watched your video on Secret RF. I'm having the treatment in a few weeks. Did you think it's worth the money for the results seen? Thank you.

I only had one round of Secret RF when filming it (at my age, I'd need about three sessions to see proper results) so I only saw a bit of skin-smoothing. But I know from practitioners who have the device that they absolutely love it for the results it gives, so yes, I'd recommend it.

What is the neck machine you recommended?

Did you mean the one I've been trying recently at The Cosmetic Skin Clinic? That was a device from Sciton lasers which used broadband light (BBL) to rejuvenate my neck skin and it seems to have done a great job, particularly because practitioner Lee Garrett combined it with two doses of Profhilo. I haven't posted the results yet but they'll go up shortly so you can see the difference that it has made.

I was wondering how I could firm the skin on my neck and if you recommend a particular product, please?

Take a look at the Neostrata Triple Firming Neck Cream – it's one of our bestselling products in the Tweakments Guide shop and there's a reason for that – it does a great job.

I'm thinking of Morpheus8 for my crepey neck (plus toxin for bands) but I've read some Realself reviews that were awful! I definitely don’t need to lose any fat in my neck and so probably need only skin tightening. I’m concerned I’ll lose...

Find a great practitioner and you'll be fine, seriously. Radiofrequency microneedling treatments like Morpheus8 are terrific for tightening and smoothing the skin. Yes, the ones with longer needles like Morpheus8 can go deep enough to give a fat-busting effect, but a good practitioner would only do that if it was needed, and after discussing and agreeing this with their patient.

I’m breastfeeding, but I have crepey skin on my neck that just seems to be getting worse. What tweakments would you recommend?

Stick with good skincare for the time being (vitamin C serum in the morning, plus hydrating serum or moisturiser, plus sunscreen) then try, with caution, a glycolic acid product like Alpha H Liquid Gold in the evenings once or twice a week (it's great on your face, too. Neck skin is always a bit more sensitive than the skin on our faces, which is why I say try it with caution). Once you're no longer breastfeeding, treatments like laser, broadband light and injectable moisturiser/ skinbooster treatments are great for the neck, but leave those for the time being. And also go easy on yourself, it's exhausting looking after a baby, and fatigue...

Dear Alice, from what I can gather, I think you've had both radiofrequency with needling and also ultrasound treatments. My biggest problem area is my turkey neck and jowls. Which have you found to be the most effective treatment?

Hi, yes, I've had Ultherapy a few times over the past decade and it seems to have given me good results in tightening my lower face and neck, and more recently I've tried a couple of types of RF needling. The one that gave me the most obvious improvement was Profound RF, which is a hard-hitting, one-off RF needling procedure – there's a picture on my blog showing the difference it made to my jawline 3 months after treatment.

I’m looking to have a necklift – do you have any recommendations please?

Recommendations for specific surgeons would depend where in the country you are, but it may be worth first booking in with a cosmetic doctor to discuss possible non-surgical options before deciding on surgery. Find a brilliant practitioner near you here. And have a look at our page dedicated to crepey skin on the neck to find out more about treating this concern– depending on how lax the skin is, it may be that a course of injectable moisturiser or some skin-tightening tech like HIFU or radiofrequency is all you need....

I had moisture injectables in my neck region, is this a similar thing to Profhilo? I can’t remember the brand but it wasn't Profhilo?

Hiya, editor Georgia here answering on Alice's behalf. Without being able to say for sure as you can't remember the exact name of the product you had injected, Profhilo is categorised as an injectable moisturiser, yes. Other widely-used products in this category include Sunekos, Juvederm Volite, Restylane Skinboosters, Belotero Revive and Texone Redensity 1. If none of these ring any bells it would be a good idea to get back in touch with the practitioner who did your previous treatment and ask what product they used, and how much you had injected. It's always good to note down exactly what products you had injected in your face and when,...

I have ‘Turkey’ neck quite badly. I don’t want surgery and my newface device has improved things. Can you suggest anything to help?

Hi, necks are trickier to treat than faces but there's a number of treatments that can help including injectable moisturisers aka 'skin boosters' to hydrate and smooth the skin (and tighten it a bit); radiofrequency microneedling to smooth, resurface and tighten the skin and laser - which also smoothes, refreshes and tightens the skin. Take a look at those treatment options via the links above, or to see all my suggestions for treating necks, go to the home page and hover over the 'concerns' tab, and over to the side you'll see treatments for necks. Here's one of those for starters, about treating neck wrinkles ...

Hi Alice, Lynette Hecker kindly forwarded your details to me after I contacted her for advice on cosmetic treatments. I have been consulting with Olivier Amar about a neck pinch lift and wonder if you have any thoughts on this. Or Morpheus 8...

Hi, I can see it's a difficult decision - a surgical procedure is a big deal and more expensive than any tweakment, but it will give a more definite result, and the result will last for much longer, than a course of non-surgical tweakments. Which is right for you depends on your age, the condition of your neck, whether you are up for surgical treatment and the associated recovery time, whether your practitioner thinks it appropriate (obviously yes, in this case - and Mr Amar is a great surgeon) and whether you have the budget. Good luck with your decision.

What is the best treatment for sagging jowls and crepey neck? I’m 75 but have hardly any wrinkles.

Wow, congrats on your lovely complexion, sounds like you have looked after yourself well. You're probably not going to want to hear this but the treatment that would give you the clearest, best results would be a lower face and neck lift, but I completely understand that that is not a tweakment and that surgery is not for everyone. In terms of tweakments, you could think about RF microneedling or laser which will tighten the skin and improve the texture, or perhaps a touch of filler along the jawline and in the chin, to make up for the way we lose bone mass with age, which is one reason why we lose definition around the jawline. What...

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