“Neck wrinkles are caused by the same factors as other wrinkles: a combination of skin aging—the breakdown of collagen and elastic tissue—and movement,” says board-certified dermatologist Jeremy Fenton, MD, Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York and Long Beach. , New York, tells us about neck wrinkles.

This is especially true on the neck, as the skin here tends to be thinner, and thin skin often tends to age more quickly (for the same reason that fine lines can appear around your eyes sooner than anywhere else on your face).

The breakdown of collagen and elastin is mainly caused by exposure to UV rays. Actually to 80% of visible signs of aging1 can be attributed to sun damage. Therefore, applying sunscreen to your neck is one of the most effective ways to address the root cause of premature aging.

But a quick look at the movement aspect: “The second main cause is neck movement,” says Fenton. “We get horizontal lines on the neck from bending the neck to look down.”

I should note here that I am certainly not suggesting that people stop moving their necks. That would be bad advice, to say the least. What I am advocating is better posture: There are many health benefits, including skin, to improving the way you sit and stand. This can give you a mood and cognitive enhancement2relieves muscle tension and improves blood circulation.

Here’s chiropractor and movement coach Aaron Alexander’s best sitting tip he shared on the mindbodygreen podcast “Make sure your hips are above your knees in any sitting position. This will naturally place your lower back and your pelvis in an architectural position of integrity, support and load bearing. Shift the weight over your shoulders and [you will] it is convenient to fit through this neutral ridge.”