Don’t Forget the Neck, Hands & Arms: Anti-Aging Tips for Your Whole Body

When people hear skincare, they usually think of caring for the face. It’s no secret that the majority of skincare products are developed and formulated to care for skin on the face, so what about the rest of our body? The concerns we have for skin health on the face don’t stop at the neck, and that includes wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, and other signs of skin aging, but there don’t seem to be as many products geared toward helping people prevent and reverse these issues on the whole body. Some say it’s because other parts of the body don’t receive as much sun exposure, so they don’t need as much care. However, the neck, arms, and hands often get just as much sun exposure leading to skin aging. Luckily, there are numerous options for aging, sagging skin treatment for the whole body, and in this blog, we’ll explore the science behind skin aging and product recommendations for keeping skin on the whole body looking beautiful.

Why These Areas Age Too

The face is the first part of your body that most people notice, so it’s easy to focus antiaging skincare here. Skin aging doesn’t stop below the face, and your antiaging skincare routine shouldn’t either. Skin is the body’s largest organ, and it performs the role of protecting the body from environmental aggressors, allergens, and irritants. It’s important to keep skin healthy head to toe, but the neck, chest, arms, and hands are the most vulnerable parts of the body to skin aging since they receive more sun exposure, which damages skin at the cellular level. Below, we outline the main causes of skin aging on the body:

  • • Thinning skin – as we age, skin becomes thinner and has less supportive subcutaneous fat. This is especially true of skin on the neck, which has less fat to begin with and fewer oil glands, so it often shows signs of aging more quickly because it doesn’t have the subcutaneous fat to support skin or oil production to ensure hydration.
  • • Sun exposure – even if individuals apply sunscreen to the face daily, they often overlook the hands, neck, chest, and arms that receive daily exposure to damaging UVA and UVB rays that break down collagen and elastin, leading to saggy skin and wrinkles. Additionally, sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation, dark spots.
  • • Repetitive movement – when we’re young, we have plenty of collagen and elastin keeps skin smooth and firm. As we age, collagen and elastin production decreases, and the repeated movements of the body start to make creases in skin that don’t snap back. One of the most common places these repetitive movement lines are seen is the neck. This is often called tech neck because the lines develop from the repeated motion of looking down at our phones and devices.
  • • Decreased collagen and elastin – as we age, the body produces less collagen and elastin, and damaged proteins are replaced less frequently. This leads to skin that doesn’t snap back and less support for skin, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging.

Key Body Skincare Steps

Just like on the face, you can improve skincare steps to prevent and reverse aging skin on arms, hands, neck, and the whole body. Below, we outline a basic whole-body skincare routine.

  • • Cleanse – use a gentle soap that won’t strip the body’s natural oils and leave skin dry. Look for a hydrating cleanser that balances pH. You should also avoid very hot showers and baths that strip moisture. Instead, take a lukewarm shower or bath and gently pat dry after.
  • • Exfoliate skin – age slows skin cell turnover, so exfoliation becomes more important. Use a full body exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and stimulate the production of healthy, new skin. Apply either a physical or chemical exfoliant a few times a week.
  • • Moisturize – use a deep-hydrating moisturizer at least once a day and always after showering while skin is still damp. This helps to lock in moisture.
  • • Wear sunscreen – apply sunscreen to any exposed skin daily and reapply at least every two hours when outdoors. Look for a broad-spectrum, SPF 30+ sunblock that is fast absorbing and non-greasy.

Recommended Products for Aging Neck, Hands, and Arms

Skincare products should be chosen based on your individual skin health needs, but below, we review some of the top dermatologist-recommended products that address signs of whole-body skin aging.

Professional Treatment Options

If boosting your daily skincare routine isn’t doing the trick, there are also numerous minimally invasive antiaging treatments that smooth and tighten skin, including:

  • • Non-surgical skin tightening – body firming treatment using radiofrequency (RF) therapy, microneedling, or ultrasound to increase the production of collagen and elastin and tighten skin.
  • • Laser treatment – using intense laser light waves to smooth skin, remove hyperpigmentation, and address signs of aging and sun damage.
  • • Dermal fillers – for lost volume, dermal fillers can be used to restore youthful fullness. This is often a great option for hand rejuvenation when the backs of hands become veiny.
  • • Chemical peels – these treatments remove the surface layer of skin, revealing new healthy skin below. They’re a great way to improve skin texture, fade age spots, and leave skin looking younger.

Prevention Tips for Long-Term Results

Consistency is key to preventing early signs of skin aging. Keep the following prevention tips in mind as you’re developing your daily antiaging skincare routine:

  • • Wear sunscreen – apply sunscreen to all areas exposed to sunlight every day. Even when it’s cloudy or raining. Reapply at least every two hours to ensure continual protection.
  • • Exfoliate – dead skin cells sit on the surface of skin, making fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Regular exfoliation increases skin cell turnover.
  • • Use firming creams – hydrating moisturizers with peptides, retinoids, and antioxidants strengthen skin, increase elasticity, and minimize skin aging.
  • • Avoid long showers – long, hot showers strip moisture and natural oils. This increases dryness, irritation, and inflammation, which all contribute to skin aging.
  • • Stay hydrated – keeping skin moisturized starts from the inside out. Drinking plenty of water ensures there is adequate hydration to keep skin moisturized. Applying hydrating moisturizers to the skin should be an additional step to boost hydration from within.
  • • Lead a healthy lifestyle – consume a nutrient-rich diet, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and avoid tobacco use. By making healthy lifestyle choices, you can slow signs of skin aging.

Achieve Healthier, More Youthful Skin

If you want your whole body to look youthful, it all starts at home with an effective skincare routine. Finding the right products to keep skin hydrated and healthy and using them consistently prevents early signs of skin aging and may even start to reverse skin damage. If you need help developing a personalized skincare routine, talk to your dermatologist about the right products and dermatologic procedures to achieve your goals.

Keep Exploring Dermatologist-Recommended Skincare

Not sure the products reviewed in this blog are what you’re after? Keep exploring more skincare options on the DermSkincare site. We offer a wide array of dermatologist-recommended products for the face, hair, and body. Looking for more insight into fighting skin aging or achieving any other skincare goal? Read our blog for regular product and skincare recommendations from our trusted dermatologists.