Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefits of Protecting ItDamage to the AreaSkin Care RoutineCosmetic Procedures
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits of Protecting It
Damage to the Area
Skin Care Routine
Cosmetic Procedures
The décolletage, the delicate skin on the neck and chest, is often forgotten during a skin care routine. This area in people with female anatomy can be particularly susceptible to visible signs of aging andsun damagedue to its high ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.
This article discusses skin damage in the décolletage area, offering tips on products and procedures to treat wrinkles, discoloration, sun spots, and other concerns.
YakobchukOlena/ Getty Images
Benefits of Protecting Décolletage Area
Signs of skin damage, likewrinkles, sun spots, andsagging skin, are more likely to occur on parts of the body that get frequent sun exposure, like the décolletage. At the same time, genetics play a role in how our skin ages. However, other potentially more controllable factors influence the amount of damage. Keeping the décolletage area protected can prevent andreduce skin concerns.
Reduce Sun Damage
Eliminate Wrinkles
Fade Age Spots
Dark spots that result from sun damage can gradually increase in size, particularly on a prominent area like the décolletage, which tends to be exposed to direct sunlight more so than other body parts. Resurfacing products and treatments can help reduce the look of existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming.
Tighten Loose Skin
It’s natural for levels of skin-plumpingcollagenand elastin to decline as we age. Without these two substances, the skin on parts of the body like the décolletage can become lax and potentially feel a bit like crepe paper. Certain products and treatments can help firm the skin and restore some fullness to the décolletage area.
Even Out a Blotchy Complexion
Whileblotchy skincan happen at any age, it’s more common in people who havereached menopause. A blotchy complexion on the décolletage can be just as noticeable as on the face, so applying certain products to this sensitive area can help resolve this issue.
How Does Your Décolletage Change?
All of the skin on our bodychanges as we age, becoming less plump, smooth, and vibrant than it was in our younger years.The added effects of sun damage on prominent areas like the décolletage make it easy to develop wrinkles, age spots,sagging skin, and dryness on this body part.
There are especially noticeable aging changes to areas like the décolletage for people who have reached menopause, thanks partly to declininghormone levels.
Changes you might expect include:
Décolletage Skin Care Routine
Experts recommend several tips to prevent damage to the décolletage area, including:
Experts also recommend treating one décolletage skin concern at a time, like wrinkles or dark spots, instead of more than one. As long as it’s not irritating, give the product time to work in to gauge the results.
Cosmetic Procedures for Décolletage Area
More advanced décolletage skin damage that is bothering you and isn’t resolved with at-home treatments might require a trip to a primary care provider, who can refer you to a skin health specialist (dermatologist) or a facial plastic surgeon. These specialists will discuss the various procedures available to help rejuvenate the skin and address different décolletage concerns, such as:
The specific type of treatment recommended will vary based on a healthcare provider’s assessment of your décolletage skin damage and your preferences.
Summary
Your skin care routine should involve the skin on your neck and chest, known as the décolletage. Sun exposure and the natural aging process around menopause can prompt wrinkles, age spots, discoloration, and other signs of damage to this sensitive area. In addition to giving the décolletage some extra care with at-home products, in-office treatments can help resurface and improve the appearance of this area.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.American Academy of Dermatology.How dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Wrinkle remedies.American Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.American Academy of Dermatology.What can get rid of age spots?.American Academy of Dermatology.Caring for your skin in menopause.National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.American Academy of Dermatology.How to select anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to maximize results from anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent premature skin aging.American Academy of Dermatology.Retinoid or retinol?.Peterson JD, Goldman MP.Rejuvenation of the aging chest: a review and our experience.Dermatol Surg. 2011 May;37(5):555-71. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.01972.xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.Wu DC, Friedmann DP, Fabi SG, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE.Comparison of intense pulsed light with 1,927-nm fractionated thulium fiber laser for the rejuvenation of the chest.Dermatol Surg. 2014 Feb;40(2):129-33. doi:10.1111/dsu.12398American Academy of Dermatology.Chemical peels: An overview.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.American Academy of Dermatology.How dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Wrinkle remedies.American Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.American Academy of Dermatology.What can get rid of age spots?.American Academy of Dermatology.Caring for your skin in menopause.National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.American Academy of Dermatology.How to select anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to maximize results from anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent premature skin aging.American Academy of Dermatology.Retinoid or retinol?.Peterson JD, Goldman MP.Rejuvenation of the aging chest: a review and our experience.Dermatol Surg. 2011 May;37(5):555-71. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.01972.xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.Wu DC, Friedmann DP, Fabi SG, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE.Comparison of intense pulsed light with 1,927-nm fractionated thulium fiber laser for the rejuvenation of the chest.Dermatol Surg. 2014 Feb;40(2):129-33. doi:10.1111/dsu.12398American Academy of Dermatology.Chemical peels: An overview.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.American Academy of Dermatology.How dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin.American Academy of Dermatology.Wrinkle remedies.American Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.American Academy of Dermatology.What can get rid of age spots?.American Academy of Dermatology.Caring for your skin in menopause.National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.American Academy of Dermatology.How to select anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to maximize results from anti-aging skin care products.American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent premature skin aging.American Academy of Dermatology.Retinoid or retinol?.Peterson JD, Goldman MP.Rejuvenation of the aging chest: a review and our experience.Dermatol Surg. 2011 May;37(5):555-71. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.01972.xAmerican Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.Wu DC, Friedmann DP, Fabi SG, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE.Comparison of intense pulsed light with 1,927-nm fractionated thulium fiber laser for the rejuvenation of the chest.Dermatol Surg. 2014 Feb;40(2):129-33. doi:10.1111/dsu.12398American Academy of Dermatology.Chemical peels: An overview.
MedlinePlus.Aging changes in the skin.
American Academy of Dermatology.How dermatologists treat sun-damaged skin.
American Academy of Dermatology.Wrinkle remedies.
American Academy of Dermatology.Many ways to firm sagging skin.
American Academy of Dermatology.What can get rid of age spots?.
American Academy of Dermatology.Caring for your skin in menopause.
National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.
American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Skin rejuvenation and resurfacing.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to select anti-aging skin care products.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to maximize results from anti-aging skin care products.
American Academy of Dermatology.How to prevent premature skin aging.
American Academy of Dermatology.Retinoid or retinol?.
Peterson JD, Goldman MP.Rejuvenation of the aging chest: a review and our experience.Dermatol Surg. 2011 May;37(5):555-71. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2011.01972.x
Wu DC, Friedmann DP, Fabi SG, Goldman MP, Fitzpatrick RE.Comparison of intense pulsed light with 1,927-nm fractionated thulium fiber laser for the rejuvenation of the chest.Dermatol Surg. 2014 Feb;40(2):129-33. doi:10.1111/dsu.12398
American Academy of Dermatology.Chemical peels: An overview.
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