A neck lift removes excess
skin, or "turkey wattle," firming the area. But if a 2-week
recovery, not to mention the surgical risks involved and the
huge price tag, isn't exactly what you had in mind, you
still have alternatives that are less invasive and less
costly, yet more subtle. Like using a combination of
retinoids, AHAs, and antioxidants on the neck. These
treatments can help smooth out some of the fine lines on the
surface, fade brown spots, and improve skin tone, all of
which help give the neck a younger look.
If you want more-dramatic
and faster results, ask your dermatologist about lasers.
Nonablative laser treatments can be used to tighten the
muscles in the neck area, which may help give it a firmer
appearance, too.
Problem: Age spots
Like the skin on your neck,
the skin on the hands and chest tends to be thinner and more
delicate than that on the rest of your body. For hands, a
yearround lotion with sunscreen and ingredients such as
retinol and AHAs is a good choice. To fade minor age spots,
try a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone.
Darker spots may call for
professional help. A dermatologist could prescribe a potent
bleaching agent combined with a retinoid or a cream
containing vitamin C and AHAs.
Problem: Thinning lips;
turned down mouth
While your lips do lose
moisture and collagen over time, there is hope: Primers and
balms containing ingredients like menthol and vitamin C,
supposedly make lips look more luscious. There are no
studies showing whether these products really work, but they
may provide a subtle, temporary benefit.
The color and texture of
your lipstick can also fatten a skimpy mouth. Glossy or
creamy colors in light to medium shades always make your
lips look fuller. Choose subtle brownbased hues, like pinky-brown
or reddish brown. For definition, line lips after applying
lipstick or gloss with a pencil that matches your lips
exactly.
As for that grumpy look,
blame gravity. Around the late 40s or early 50s, there is a
noticeable loss of volume or fullness in the cheek area.
This tends to make the nasolabial folds (the creases that
run from the edges of your nose to the corners of your mouth)
look deeper and more pronounced. The only way to
significantly minimize these folds is with injections of a
soft-tissue filler, like Restylane.
