Neck Rejuvenation: Tips from Experts to Combat Tech Neck Lines

At MD Skin Lab, we often emphasize the importance of treating your neck as an extension of your face. This entails giving the skin on your neck the same level of care and attention that you do on your facial skin—think cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and all the essential skincare steps. The reason? Your neck happens to be one of the first areas that prominently display visible signs of aging, including those telltale horizontal lines and wrinkles known as "tech neck."

In this blog, we explain tech neck and what it entails, along with treatment recommendations from our experienced doctors at Toronto's MD Skin Lab. Let’s start your journey to youthful and vibrant skin!

What Are Neck Lines?

As we age, we may notice horizontal lines on our necks. These are neck lines and tend to appear in our 30s or 40s. They typically extend across the front of the neck.  Dr. Vishaal Govan, a respected aesthetic medicine doctor at MD Skin Lab, sheds light on neck lines.

"Horizontal neck lines, often referred to as neck bands or tech neck, are primarily the result of the natural aging process, combined with factors like sun exposure and repetitive neck movements. They emerge as the skin's elasticity diminishes and the platysma muscle in the neck contracts more frequently, creating these characteristic lines. As physicians, at MD Skin Lab, we have access to a vast array of treatment options, ranging from topical treatments to advanced non-surgical procedures such as dermal filler, specifically designed to address these concerns.” – Dr. Vishaal Govan, Aesthetic Medicine Doctor

According to Dr. Govan, horizontal neck lines can be caused by external factors, such as sun exposure. The sun's harsh rays can break down collagen and cause premature aging, making these lines more noticeable. Sun exposure can also decrease skin firmness and elasticity, exacerbating these lines.

Why Do People Get Neck Lines?

One of the main reasons for developing neck lines is the natural aging process, which leads to changes in the skin and underlying tissues. Let’s dive deeper into these changes.

Loss of Elasticity: Our skin loses elasticity as we age because collagen and elastin production decrease. Collagen provides structural support, while elastin maintains skin flexibility.

Platysma Muscle Contraction: The platysma muscle, which is located in the neck, can contract more frequently as we age. These repetitive contractions can cause creases in the skin, resulting in the horizontal neck lines and crepiness we see.

Exposure to Environmental Factors: Prolonged sun exposure, smoking, and poor nutrition accelerate skin aging and increase neckline development. 

Understanding these contributing factors can help you proactively maintain a youthful neck and help prevent aging signs.

What is Tech Neck?

Tech neck is a modern problem mainly caused by our excessive use of electronic devices. It happens because of the strain on our neck muscles when we continuously look down at screens. This strain can speed up the appearance of wrinkles and lines on the neck, which may lead to premature aging. Dr. Soreya Dhanji, a respected aesthetic medicine doctor at MD Skin Lab, breaks it down further. 

"Tech neck, also known as 'text neck,' is a modern-day phenomenon primarily attributed to our increasing reliance on electronic devices. It arises from the repetitive strain our neck muscles undergo when constantly looking down at screens, which can lead to the early onset of wrinkles and lines. The persistent bending to view our devices can speed up the development of wrinkles and lines, leading to premature signs of aging. Despite its prevalence, it's important to remember that we're not without solutions. As aesthetic medicine doctors, we're at the forefront of innovative treatments like neck filler and microneedling. These advanced modalities can substantially improve the appearance of 'tech neck,' rejuvenating the skin and restoring its youthful texture.” – Dr. Soreya Dhanji, Aesthetic Medicine Doctor

How Does Tech Neck Develop?

Tech neck develops because of the way we use our electronic devices. Several key factors contribute to tech neck:

Repetitive Neck Flexion: Tech Neck is caused by repetitive electronic device actions. One of the main causes is the constant tilting of the head downwards when interacting with screens. This can include browsing social media, checking emails, or watching videos on smartphones or laptops. This habit can strain the muscles and skin of the neck, leading to muscle fatigue and the development of horizontal lines over time. Additionally, this posture puts extra pressure on the cervical spine and supporting neck muscles.

Increased Screen Time: The amount of time we spend looking down has significantly increased due to increased screen time. Screens have become an important part of our daily routines, whether for work-related tasks or leisure activities. However, this prolonged screen time can also cause strain on our neck muscles and skin.

Lack of Ergonomic Awareness: Tech neck can be caused by poor neck posture while using electronic devices. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the importance of maintaining good posture during screen time. Whether sitting at a desk or using a smartphone on the couch, people prioritize screen engagement over neck comfort. This can lead to poor neck positioning and increase the risk of tech neck.

MD Skin Lab offers advanced skincare treatments such as microneedling and dermal fillers to counter the effects of tech neck and horizontal neck lines. Let’s get into the specifics. 

Microneedling for Neck Lines and Tech Neck

At MD Skin Lab, we offer Microneedling, PRP Microneedling and Radiofrequency Microneedling to help address neck lines and tech neck. Let's break down the difference between Microneedling, PRP Microneedling and Radiofrequency Microneedling to treat the neck.  

Microneedling uses a device called SkinPen, which features tiny, sterile needles to create controlled micro-injuries in your skin. The injuries stimulate your skin's natural healing response, encouraging collagen and elastin production. Collagen provides structure to your skin, while elastin helps maintain its elasticity. By triggering this rejuvenation process, microneedling can safely and effectively address tech neck.

The PRP Microneedling treatment is a powerful anti-aging method that utilizes two techniques: microneedling (collagen induction therapy) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). The PRP is extracted from your own blood and contains growth factors that encourage collagen production and tissue repair, resulting in healthy, glowing skin. As we age, collagen production naturally decreases, leading to skin aging. The PRP Microneedling treatment helps counteract this by using your body's natural healing abilities.

Radiofrequency Microneedling is conducted through a treatment called Morpheus8 at MD Skin Lab. Morpheus8 is an excellent treatment choice for all skin types. It works through a state-of-the-art hand-held device that delivers Radio-Frequency (RF) heat energy to the dermis (the skin’s deeper layer) paired with tiny silicone-plated needles in short intervals. This treatment stimulates collagen and elastin production, and the neck's skin becomes firmer and tightened over time. The dermal layers thicken, improving the skin's overall appearance. Overall, it is a great treatment for those who deal with aging skin, fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Although Microneedling, PRP Microneedling and Radiofrequency Microneedling aim to rejuvenate the skin, PRP Microneedling combines microneedling with platelet-rich plasma to deliver more targeted results. Meanwhile, Radiofrequency Microneedling focuses on the skin’s deeper layer to stimulate collagen and elastin production. 

All of the treatments manage neck lines and achieve youthful, revitalized neck skin. To better understand the best Microneedling solution for your desired skin results, we recommend booking your appointment with our skincare professionals at MD Skin Lab. 

Dermal Fillers for Neck Lines and Tech Neck

Dermal fillers are a popular non-invasive injectable treatment for rejuvenating the neck area. Our physicians at MD Skin Lab recommend them for restoring volume the neck area may have lost over time, thereby recreating its former structural appearance. Fillers are an excellent way to reduce the visibility of fine lines, sagging features, and deepening wrinkles and folds, smoothing out neck lines.

At MD Skin Lab, we utilize hyaluronic acid-based dermal fillers, such as Restylane®, Teosyal®, Stylage®, and Prollenium®. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring sugar molecule in the body. The molecules can attract and retain up to 1000 times their weight in water. When injected under the skin, the product will fill in hollow areas, lift sagging skin, brighten areas of shadowing and plump desired areas. This makes dermal fillers an excellent option for neck lines. We recommend booking an appointment with our experienced physician injectors to get started on your journey to dermal fillers for neck lines.

 

Prepare for a Journey to Treating Neck Lines

Begin your skincare journey today by booking an appointment with our skincare experts at MD Skin Lab. Our downtown Toronto clinic is dedicated to understanding your unique needs and objectives, enabling us to craft a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically for you. At MD Skin Lab, we cherish your individuality and approach all aesthetic treatments with a bespoke mindset. We look forward to meeting you and embarking on this transformative journey together!