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TREATMENTS
Why Your Skincare Routine Shouldn’t End With the Face, According to a Dermatologist
Without proper skincare, the décolletage can show early signs of aging. Here’s how to keep it radiant and firm.
You've invested in the perfect serum, mastered your double-cleanse technique, and never skip SPF on your face—but what about the skin below your jawline? Most people focus exclusively on facial skincare while neglecting two areas that actually show age faster than almost anywhere else on the body: the neck and chest.
"The neck and the chest should be considered just as important as the face," says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Roberta Del Campo, Chief Medical Officer at Skin Laundry. "If not cared for properly, the neck and chest can show signs of aging and sun damage as early as our late twenties or early thirties." It's a wake-up call that many don't hear until they notice horizontal lines etching across their neck or sun spots dotting their chest—signs that could have been prevented with just a few extra seconds of skincare each day.
Read on for a comprehensive guide to caring for your décolletage, including the best ingredients, essential routines, and professional treatments that deliver real results.
What Makes Décolletage Skin Different (And Why It Ages Faster)
The décolletage isn't just an extension of your face—it's fundamentally different skin that faces unique challenges. Understanding these differences is crucial to protecting this delicate area from premature aging.
The skin on your neck and chest is considerably thinner than facial skin, making it more vulnerable to stretching, sagging, and environmental damage. Unlike your face, which is rich with oil-producing sebaceous glands that keep skin supple and hydrated, the décolletage has far fewer of these glands. This means the area is naturally drier and more prone to showing fine lines and creases. Add to this the fact that neck and chest skin contains fewer stem cells and regenerative structures, and you have an area where damage doesn't just occur more easily—it accumulates faster and repairs more slowly.
Then there's the sun damage factor. The décolletage is one of the most exposed areas of the body, constantly subjected to UV rays that break down collagen, create hyperpigmentation, and accelerate aging. Many people diligently apply sunscreen to their faces but forget to sweep it down to their chest, leaving this vulnerable skin unprotected. Even your sleep position plays a role: side sleeping can create permanent vertical chest wrinkles and horizontal neck lines over time, etching patterns into skin that's already working overtime to maintain its resilience.
The skin on the neck and chest tends to age faster than almost any place else on the body
Common Neck and Chest Skin Concerns
The décolletage faces a perfect storm of aging factors, and the results show up in predictable ways. Understanding these common concerns is the first step toward addressing them effectively.
UV Damage and Sun Spots
Because the décolletage is frequently forgotten during SPF application, it endures relentless damage from UV rays. The result is a constellation of concerns: excess pigmentation that creates an uneven, spotted appearance, premature fine lines that deepen over time, and overall skin laxity that makes the area look crepey and aged. It's one of those cruel ironies of skincare—we protect our faces religiously while leaving the chest and neck exposed to the very rays that accelerate visible aging.
Read more about sun damage here.
Tech Neck Lines
If you've noticed horizontal lines creeping across your neck, you're experiencing what dermatologists now call "tech neck." These premature aging lines aren't from natural facial expressions or aging alone—they're the direct result of our modern lives. Every time you glance down at your phone, tablet, or laptop (which, let's be honest, is hundreds of times a day), you're creating a repetitive folding pattern in the delicate neck skin. Over months and years, these temporary creases become permanent etchings. It's essentially training your skin to wrinkle, one scroll through social media at a time.
Read more about tech neck here.
Chest Wrinkles and Cleavage Lines
Also called cleavage rhytides in medical terminology, these vertical chest creases are another common concern that can make the décolletage look prematurely aged. They stem from multiple sources: the natural aging process that reduces skin elasticity, side sleeping positions that compress and fold chest skin night after night, and environmental factors like unprotected sun exposure. Once these lines set in, they're notoriously difficult to reverse, which makes prevention through proper skincare all the more critical.
Do I Need a Skincare Routine for My Neck and Chest?
You don't need an entirely separate routine for your décolletage. "Something as simple as working your products from your face down to your décolletage can be a very impactful shift in your routine," Dr. Del Campo notes. "I specifically focus on preventing early signs of aging by using ingredients such as Vitamin C and mineral sunblock, and correcting signs of aging with Vitamin A and peptides." Those extra few seconds can make a dramatic difference in preventing and correcting signs of aging in this delicate area.
Morning Routine
Start your day by applying a Vitamin C serum from your face down to your décolletage. This powerful antioxidant protects against UV damage and environmental stressors while brightening skin tone and fading existing sun spots. Follow with a hydrating moisturizer to combat the natural dryness of neck and chest skin—remember, this area has fewer oil glands than your face, so it needs that extra moisture boost.
The most critical step? Mineral sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. This is non-negotiable. Daily UV protection prevents most décolletage aging and damage, and skipping it is the single biggest mistake you can make. Sweep it generously across your neck and chest every single morning, even when you're staying indoors, since UV rays penetrate windows.
Evening Routine
Your nighttime routine is where the real repair work happens. After cleansing to remove daily buildup, apply a Vitamin A (retinol) serum to stimulate collagen production and accelerate cell turnover. This powerhouse ingredient helps minimize existing aging signs and prevents new ones from forming. Layer on a peptide treatment next—peptides work to build collagen and enhance your skin's overall resilience against aging and environmental stress.
Finish with a hydrating moisturizer to lock in all those active ingredients and prevent the dryness that can make fine lines more visible. Think of it as creating a protective seal that lets your treatment products work their magic overnight.
There’s no reason that the décolletage shouldn’t be treated to the same skincare regime as the face, especially considering that the skin in this area is even more prone to damage.
Skin Laundry Neck and Chest Treatments
While a consistent at-home skincare routine forms the foundation of décolletage care, sometimes you need more powerful interventions. For stubborn pigmentation that won't fade, loss of elasticity that makes skin look crepey, uneven texture, and deep-set wrinkles, professional treatments can deliver the dramatic results that topical products alone simply can't achieve.
The Signature Laser Neck and Chest treatment harnesses precise infrared light energy to penetrate beneath the skin's surface. It targets hyperpigmentation, redness, fine lines, and even acne while stimulating collagen production for firmer, more even-toned skin. The treatment uses gentle heat energy that feels warm but not uncomfortable, and there's minimal downtime—you can return to your normal activities immediately. It's ideal for those noticing early signs of aging or sun damage who want to restore a smoother, more radiant appearance to their décolletage.
The Resurfacing Neck & Chest treatment takes a different approach using advanced fractional technology. It creates thousands of tiny microchannels in the skin, which serves a dual purpose: it smooths and refines texture while simultaneously boosting the absorption and effectiveness of serums and other topical treatments you use at home. This treatment addresses fine lines, wrinkles, dullness, congestion, and uneven tone—targeting both surface-level imperfections and deeper signs of aging. The microchannels trigger your skin's natural healing response, ramping up collagen production and cell turnover for brighter, more rejuvenated skin.
For those seeking comprehensive rejuvenation, the Duo Neck & Chest treatment combines both technologies in one powerful session. The service begins with the Signature Laser treatment, followed by targeted spot treatment over areas of particular concern. Then comes the Resurfacing treatment, finishing with another round of spot treatment for enhanced results. The laser technology delivers high-energy infrared light to correct and prevent breakouts, calm redness and rosacea, fade hyperpigmentation and stimulate collagen. The resurfacing technology uses nanofractional RF to refine texture, boost collagen, and increase cell turnover while creating those beneficial microchannels.
Want to amplify your results even further? Consider adding targeted enhancements like a Peel, Fixer or Illuminator to your treatment. These boosters increase exfoliation, brighten and tone the skin, helping your décolletage look smoother, firmer, and more radiant faster than the treatment alone would achieve.
Key Takeaways for Décolletage Care
- Start neck and chest skincare in your twenties or thirties to prevent premature aging
- Apply the same products you use on your face down to the décolletage
- Never skip SPF on the neck and chest—apply daily, even when indoors
- Use hydrating, non-comedogenic products suited for drier skin
- Consider professional laser treatments for faster correction of existing damage
- Be consistent—the décolletage requires the same daily attention as your face
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use face products on my neck and chest? Yes, unless you're using products specifically for oily skin. The décolletage needs more hydration than the face.
When should I start caring for my neck and chest? Prevention is easier than correction. Begin in your late twenties or early thirties, or earlier if you have significant sun exposure.
How often should I get professional treatments? Consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional for personalized recommendations based on your specific concerns and skin condition.
What's the most important step? Daily mineral sunscreen application. UV protection prevents most décolletage aging and damage.
Doctor's Note
Avoid spraying alcohol-based fragrances directly onto your décolletage—they exacerbate dryness and can irritate this delicate skin. And if you have oily facial skin and use sebum-controlling products on your face, don't automatically use those same products on your neck and chest. The décolletage needs more hydration, not less oil production, so opt for more nourishing formulas in this area.
Additional Reading
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