How Hyaluronic Acid Can Take Years Off Your Neck

Hyaluronic acid has become one of the most sought-after beauty care ingredients for those seeking to smooth fine lines and prevent premature aging. It's also used to hydrate aging skin which tends to lose moisture.

Cosmetically, when applied to the skin, hyaluronic acid helps the skin become more flexible so it can comfortably stretch with sufficient moisture which helps curb wrinkles. With all of its benefits for the skin, it's also been found to help diminish scars and soothe and heal wounds. Although it is readily available in stores worldwide, hyaluronic acid is actually made naturally by the body and is found in fluid in the joints and eyes as well as the skin (per Cleveland Clinic). It works to lubricate joints and replenish dry eyes. 

Though it's often used on the face, hyaluronic acid can do absolute wonders for your neck. It helps skin retain moisture and elasticity an especially helpful benefit when it comes to the neck.

There is a good reason why the neck needs attention. "The skin in the neck area is thinner than the skin on our faces, which makes this area more susceptible to wear and tear," dermatologist Melanie Palm told Glamour. "Moreover, skin on the neck is an area that most people neglect in their skincare routine, which is why I stress to patients that most skin care products also be applied to the neck and chest, not just the face."

The easiest way to apply hyaluronic acid to the neck is by using a topical cream. A study done on topical application of hyaluronic acid for eight weeks found that it improved the crease depth of wrinkles by 40% and it also improved skin's elasticity and firmness by 55%. Even more startling was that the skin's hydration increased by 96%. Although, while topical creams help reduce wrinkles, they take some time to show improvement, often at least 12 weeks.

Topical creams are an easy treatment but take time and patience. "They do help add moisture to the delicate skin around the neck which can over time smooth the texture and reduce the appearance of wrinkles in the skin," dermatologist Dr. Arash Akhavan expressed to Elle. "But it is best to pair products with a procedure to achieve desired results."

One procedure that uses hyaluronic acid on horizontal lines in the neck area is injectable fillers. These fillers are especially helpful in treating "tech-neck," a term used to describe the wrinkles and fine lines that form from repeatedly looking down at your phone. 

Fillers made with hyaluronic acid not only smooth out wrinkles but boost collagen production which helps bulk up and pad thin skin. The filler is injected directly into the wrinkle and can be done in about ten minutes at the dermatologist's office. The neck may be irritated and swollen for a few days but after the skin recovers wrinkles will appear less noticeable and may even disappear altogether.