Cheongdam Dermatology Thermage Neck Wrinkles: How to Address Horizontal Neck Lines

Have you ever paused and wondered when the horizontal lines on your neck started to appear,

thinking, “Have I really gotten this old?”

Even while carefully caring for the face, the neck is an area that is easy to overlook, so many people are surprised when wrinkles suddenly become noticeable.

• Structural reasons horizontal neck wrinkles form

• How Thermage may help improve neck wrinkles

• Things that are easy to miss before and after treatment

Structural reasons horizontal neck wrinkles form

It seems like it happened because I spend a lot of time looking at my smartphone.

That is true, but it is not the whole story.

The neck has far fewer sebaceous glands than the face, and the skin is also relatively thin. When the motion of bending the head down is repeated in a state where moisture and oil are insufficient, wrinkles begin to take hold little by little along the lines where the skin folds. On top of that, the decrease in collagen that comes with age is added to the process.

Collagen is responsible for elasticity, like a new rubber band that returns to its original shape after being stretched and released. As time passes and the rubber band becomes loose, the collagen and elastin in the dermis decrease, and the skin begins to keep the marks from being folded. This is why horizontal neck wrinkles are not visible in youth but become more distinct around the 40s.

There is one more point that is worth knowing.

When the platysma, a thin muscle in the neck, is pulled downward due to aging, it also causes the skin to sag and makes wrinkles deeper. Although it is a visible skin issue, the fact that both the muscle and the dermis are involved beneath it is why neck wrinkles cannot simply be viewed as something that can be fixed with moisturizing alone.

The principle behind expecting improvement in neck wrinkles with Thermage

After first examining skin thickness, elasticity, and the depth of the wrinkles, the suitability of Thermage is determined. Because neck skin is thinner and more sensitive than facial skin, the process of carefully adjusting the energy settings is important.

Thermage works by delivering radiofrequency (RF) thermal energy to the deep layers of the dermis. When this heat reaches the dermis, two responses occur. The stretched collagen fibers contract immediately, and at the same time, signals for new collagen production are sent, leading to a gradual tightening of the skin over several months.

Is it a laser?

Some people ask, but Thermage is not a laser.

Because it focuses heat inside the dermis without directly damaging the skin surface, it is often possible to return to daily life the next day after the procedure. Of course, redness or mild swelling may appear after treatment, and we provide sufficient guidance about this before the procedure.

The effect of Thermage for neck wrinkles is often felt more strongly 2 to 3 months after the treatment day. This is because collagen recovery itself is a process that takes time. Since results vary depending on each person’s skin condition and the depth of the wrinkles, we check the current condition during the first visit and organize the expected range together.

Things that are easy to miss before and after treatment

Just as important as aftercare following Thermage is the condition of the skin before the procedure. If high-frequency energy is applied while the skin barrier is weakened, the skin may react more sensitively to irritation, so it is better to stop using scrubs or strong peeling products starting one week before the procedure.

After treatment, moisturizing is essential. Apply a moisturizer containing ceramides or hyaluronic acid thoroughly to the neck and décolleté area twice a day, morning and evening.

When washing the face, finish with lukewarm water at 34–36°C, and avoid rubbing the neck area excessively.

Sunscreen is key to managing horizontal neck wrinkles regardless of whether you undergo treatment. If you do not carefully apply a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher all the way to the neck, the collagen recovery effect may be reduced.

If you continue to keep your neck bent too much while looking at your smartphone or monitor, the wrinkles may deepen again, so we also recommend adjusting the screen height to eye level.

If your neck wrinkles are becoming more noticeable, if your neck feels saggy along with horizontal lines, or if you feel that moisturizing alone is not making any difference, it is a good idea to visit and have it checked in person.

In the end, neck wrinkles are not simply a problem caused by dry skin. Because decreased collagen in the dermis and changes in the muscle layer act together, a method that reaches the inner layers of the skin is needed.

At Cheongdam Dermatology, after closely examining the condition of the neck skin, we assess the potential effect of Thermage for neck wrinkles on an individual basis and plan the care direction together.

This post was

written directly by Larian Cheongdam Clinic

for informational purposes in compliance with

Article 56 of the Medical Service Act and the Enforcement Decree of the same Act.

All procedures and surgeries may have adverse reactions,

so please receive treatment only after充分 consultation with the medical staff.

Director Kang Jiyeon, Larian Cheongdam Clinic