By Mary Hayse, Licensed Esthetician, Infuse Skin and Body
An aging décolleté (neck and chest) will give away a woman’s age much sooner than her face. The décolleté will show signs of aging much sooner than the face and the rest of the body because the skin is thinner, it is more exposed to the elements, and the neck is constantly moving. Adding to those problems, most women do not pay as much attention to their décolleté as they do their face.
Women with beautiful facial skin typically go to great lengths to keep it looking that way. They cleanse the face both morning and night. They use peptides and antioxidants, such as Vitamin C and Retinols each day. Their moisturizer and makeup typically have an SPF in it, and if not, they put a separate SPF on before their makeup. They exfoliate and masque their skin and get regular skin care treatments. To prevent or reverse signs of aging on the décolleté, you have to take care of it as well as you take care of your face.
Let’s start with cleansing the skin both morning and night. Most women will use a cleanser specifically designed for the delicate skin on the face, but use whatever soap is in the shower for the rest of their body—including the neck and chest. Soaps that have harsh chemicals tend to damage the softer skin of the décolleté. Given that the décolleté is even more delicate than the face, we should be bringing our facial wash down to our neck and chest. We should also not skip cleansing the décolleté in the evening. It is very important to get the day’s impurities off and follow the cleansing with nighttime serums and moisturizers.
Next, we should consider what types of serums and moisturizers we should put on the décolleté. The décolleté has fewer oil glands than the face, so we should limit products that are drying and use a richer moisturizer specifically designed for the décolleté. Retinols can be used on the décolleté, but start out slow. Use them once or twice a week to see how the skin will handle them. If trying to combat hyperpigmentation on the décolleté, use products that contain kojic acid or mushroom or licorice extract instead of hydroquinone. The results will be slower, but not as irritating to the delicate skin. Because the décolleté has fewer oil glands, a heavier moisturizer is more appropriate. There are products on the market that combine peptides, retinols, and lightening ingredients in a thick, moisturizing base.
When doing exfoliations, masques, and skin treatments to the décolleté, it is important to again remember that the skin is thinner there. Use mild exfoliants with gentle upward strokes on the chest and neck. For spa treatments, I typically recommend a light chemical exfoliation or enzyme exfoliation for the neck and chest to turn over dead skin cells, polish the surface, and help build collagen without damaging the skin.
Sunscreen is a very important step in protecting the décolleté from sun damage. A sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, or higher, is recommended. Because the skin is thinner, the décolleté will often burn quicker and the damage from UV rays will be more extensive and severe. This will cause loss of collagen and further thinning of the skin, leading to more lines and wrinkles, along with discoloration and broken capillaries. Most people remember to put sunscreen on their neck and chest when they are lying in the sun, but don’t think about it on a daily basis. Many moisturizers and foundations have an SPF in them, so the face is generally protected, but when we just use a body lotion on our neck and chest, it is getting UV rays every time you walk out the door. Include a sunscreen for your décolleté into your daily routine.
Do not apply perfume to the neck. Perfume applied to the neck can cause pigmentation issues, spotty skin, and irritation, especially when exposed to sunlight.
Your neck and chest don’t have to show your age. Keep them looking young by giving them the care and attention they need.
Infuse Skin and Body has both treatments and products specifically designed for the neck and décolleté. Call Mary at 309-360-9035 or visit www.infuseskinandbody.com for all of your skin care needs.
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