How to prevent and treat chest wrinkles

If you adore flashing your gorgeous neckline in a plunging V-neck in summertime, chances are you’re pretty aware of the state of your décolletage - the sensitive skin area between your neck and your cleavage. You might also have noticed that this area is prone to getting sunspots and premature wrinkles. 

What causes chest wrinkles? 

“There are various factors that play a role,” says Jeanine. “This includes sun damage, general neglect, as well as body type and sleeping habits. What people don't realise is that we are born with a finite amount of elastin - a protein that forms the main constituent of the elastic connective tissue that keeps our skin firm. Collagen production continues in decreasing amounts as we age, but we are born with a certain amount of elastin and when it gets damaged due to sun exposure, it's gone. A lot of people get these little white bumps on their chest from sun exposure and that's usually from snapped elastin bundles that cannot be repaired.”

“Then, in terms of neglect, I’m referring to individuals who either don’t have a good skin regime in place, or have one, but don’t extend the use of their products beyond their face to their neck and décolletage. I always tell my clients that our necks age twice as fast as our face, and our hands age twice as fast as our necks. These areas aren’t naturally rich in oil glands. Oil to the skin is like water to a sponge - it plumps it up. So, to start with you have a lack of oil glands there, and then add to it that many people forget to put sunblock on their décolletage area, or they don't reapply. Not looking after this area properly is one of the main reasons why it's so prone to wrinkling.”

According to Jeanine, her heavy-breasted clients also tend to be more prone to chest wrinkles – especially those who sleep on their sides. “None of us can choose our body shapes, and when you have heavier breasts, you have to take extra care to provide your décolletage with proper support.” 

How can you prevent chest wrinkles? 

1.    Invest in a good sunscreen and remember to reapply it often if you’re spending time in the sun. 
2.    Establish a good skin routine for your neck and chest area. “You get some excellent stretchmark treatments that can be used on the neck and the chest,” says Jeanine. “Start from a young age - you can start with a neck cream in your early 20s already. If you don't want to buy a separate product, just be sure to coat your entire neck, chest and face in the same moisturiser you're already using.”
3.    If you’re heavy-breasted, invest in a good daytime bra, look into specialised sleeping bras that provide extra support and try to sleep on your back. 

Are there treatments for chest wrinkles? 

According to Jeanine, once the chest wrinkles have formed it’s very difficult to reverse, but there are treatments that can improve their appearance. 

“From a professional salon perspective, treatments to combat chest wrinkles include microdermabrasion, natural fruit acid peels, laser, and needling with a good serum,” says Jeanine. “This will all help, but won't reverse the damage completely. Certain salons also still offer microcurrent treatments that work on your muscle memory; or if you want to go old school like our parents did in the ‘60s and ‘70s, you can do face- and neck exercises. It's quite fun to do at home and it certainly can't hurt, so why not give it a go I say!”

IMAGE CREDIT: shutterstock.com