Why Is My Neck Ageing Faster Than My Face? (And What Actually Works)

By Dr Kaur, My Cosmetic Doctor, Harborne, Birmingham

“Dr Kaur, my neck looks older than my face — why is that happening?”

This is one of the most common and emotional concerns I hear in clinic. Women invest time, money and energy into their face — skincare, treatments, injectables — yet the neck quietly changes in the background. Then one day, seemingly overnight, it feels like the neck has “given away” your age.

If you’ve noticed crepey texture, sagging, vertical bands, horizontal lines or pigmentation on your neck, you’re not alone. The neck ages differently from the face — and often faster.

Let me explain why, and more importantly, how we treat it properly at My Cosmetic Doctor in Harborne, Birmingham.

Why the Neck Is Prone to Ageing

Thinner Skin = Faster Change

The skin on your neck is naturally thinner and more delicate than your face. It contains fewer oil glands, produces less natural hydration and has a weaker barrier. This means it dries out faster, loses elasticity sooner and shows signs of ageing earlier.

Neglected Skincare

Most people stop their skincare routine at the jawline. Yet your neck experiences the same environmental exposure as your face — often more. UV damage, pollution and free radicals all contribute to collagen breakdown and pigmentation.

Without consistent SPF and active ingredients, the neck is essentially ageing unprotected for years.

Hormones and the Neck

From your late 30s and early 40s, collagen production starts to slow. During perimenopause and menopause, falling oestrogen reduces skin thickness, hydration and elasticity. The neck responds particularly quickly to these hormonal shifts, often becoming dry, lax or lined.

The Root of the Problem: One Treatment Does Not Fit All

One of the biggest mistakes I see is the assumption that all neck ageing should be treated in the same way.

Patients often arrive asking for:

* Botox for loose skin

* Botox for horizontal lines

* Filler for vertical bands

* “Something” for crepiness

The result? Money is spent. Expectations aren’t met. Confidence drops.

Neck ageing does not live in one layer. Some problems are muscular, some are skin-based, some are pigment-related and some are structural. When the wrong treatment is used for the wrong problem, disappointment is inevitable.

At My Cosmetic Doctor in Birmingham, my approach is simple:
Treat the cause — not the symptom.

How I Treat the Neck in Clinic

Vertical Neck Bands

Bands are muscular and dynamic. They respond best to:

✅ Antiwrinkle injections with botulinum toxin

This relaxes overactive muscles, softening prominence and improving contour. It is excellent when used correctly and precisely — but it will not improve skin quality or crepiness.

Crepey, Dry or Lax Skin

This is the most common concern I see, especially in women over 50.

Crepey skin is not a wrinkle problem — it’s a collagen and hydration problem.

The best treatments are:

✅ Profhilo


✅ Polynucleotides

These treatments improve skin quality, elasticity and density by boosting collagen and hydration from within. They do not freeze muscle or add volume — they improve the skin itself.

This is often where patients are most surprised in clinic. Many expect Botox — but their skin needs structural support and regeneration instead. If you’re starting to see the signs of this early in your 40s, it's a good idea to start addressing with one of these injectable treatments.

Horizontal Lines

These may be:

• skin creases
  
• loss of elasticity
  
• repetitive motion
  

Treatment may include:


✅ Dermal filler (carefully and conservatively)

Proper assessment matters. Not all lines should be filled, frozen or “smoothed” indiscriminately.

Pigmentation on the Neck

Sun damage, age spots and uneven tone respond best to:

✅ Chemical peels


✅ Medical-grade skincare


✅ Prescription formulations

Neck skin can transform beautifully when treated gently and consistently.

Neck Skincare at Different Stages of Life

Neck skincare is not one-size-fits-all — it should evolve as your skin changes through perimenopause and menopause.
In perimenopause, the skin is usually more resilient, making this a key opportunity to invest in collagen renewal. This is when stronger, more active skincare can be used effectively: collagen-stimulating products, prescription retinoids (if tolerated), antioxidants, exfoliating acids and daily SPF can all make a visible difference. Importantly, everything you apply to your face should be pulled down onto your neck — this is one of the simplest ways to protect your skin long-term.

As you move into menopause, skin naturally becomes drier, thinner and more sensitive. Tolerance to strong actives often reduces, so routines need to shift towards barrier repair and hydration. This usually means lowering retinoid strength or frequency, simplifying skincare, increasing moisturisation, and avoiding anything that causes irritation. Your neck will tell you when it is overwhelmed — and listening to it at this stage prevents inflammation, pigmentation and further ageing.

Case Study

A patient in her 50s came to see me primarily for crepey neck skin.

She had researched online and was convinced Botox was the answer.

After examination, I explained:
Botox would not change the texture, hydration or elasticity of her skin.

We treated her with:

✅ Profhilo

Her results spoke for themselves:

• smoother skin
  
• reduced crepiness
  
• healthier texture
  
• visible rejuvenation
  

See before and after below.

What I Wish More Women Knew

• The neck ages differently
  
• It needs targeted care
  
• Skincare must go past the jawline
  
• Treatments must match anatomy
  
• Early action gives better results- maximise the window of opportunity with skincare during peri-menopause before skin changes become more apparent by using high strength collagen stimulating actives if tolerated.
  
• Neglect shows later
  

The Biggest Myth About Neck Rejuvenation

“Botox fixes everything.”

It doesn’t.

Botox, Profhilo, polynucleotides, filler and peels all have a place — but only when matched to the issue.

There is no one “best” treatment.

Book Your Neck Assessment

If your neck is ageing faster than your face and you’re tired of guessing, Googling and feeling unsure — let’s plan properly.

At My Cosmetic Doctor in Harborne, Birmingham, I assess:

• muscle movement
  
• skin quality
  
• volume loss
  
• pigmentation
  
• structure
  

So your treatment is personalised, effective and safe.

👉 Book your consultation today and start treating your neck with the same care as your face.

Book your consultation at My Cosmetic Doctor in Harborne, Birmingham, and let’s start your personalised  journey.

Our cosmetic doctors in Harborne, Birmingham, also take great pride prioritising continuity of care and are dedicated to delivering natural-looking results. Schedule a consultation with our clinic and experience the expertise and personalised care that sets us apart.