Neck Wrinkles and Horizontal Neck Lines: Causes, Tech Neck and What Helps

Nov 13, 2025

15 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

Why do I have lines on my neck? Horizontal neck lines (also called neck folds or necklace lines) are creases across the front of the neck. They can appear at any age, including early adulthood, and usually become more marked as the skin loses collagen and elastic tissue with age and sun exposure. [1, 2, 3, 5] They are a normal part of how skin changes. If you would like to improve them, the right approach depends on what you are actually noticing, because "neck wrinkles" can mean lines, crepey texture, loose skin, muscle bands or fullness under the chin, and each responds to different things.

The table below will help you work out which of these you are looking at. After that, this guide covers the causes, what tech neck really means, what helps at home, how treatments compare, and the neck changes that need medical advice rather than cosmetic treatment.

Horizontal neck lines or something else? Types of neck wrinkles

What you notice	What it usually is	What tends to matter
Lines running across the front of the neck	Horizontal (transverse) neck lines, sometimes called necklace lines	They can appear at any age, and become more marked with age [1, 2]
Fine, papery or crinkled skin	Crepey texture	Skin quality: hydration, elasticity, sun damage
Softer, looser skin, especially under the jaw	Skin laxity	Loss of elasticity, with changes in the deeper tissues and support [3]
Two vertical cords from the jaw down the neck, more visible when you tense	Platysmal bands	The thin platysma muscle beneath the skin, not the skin itself [3]
Fullness under the chin	Submental fullness	Fat beneath the chin [3]
Redness, brown pigment and fine vessels on the sides of the neck	Sun damage (poikiloderma of Civatte)	Long-term sun exposure; it usually spares the shaded area under the chin [4]

Several of these often occur together, and the jawline above affects how the neck looks too. Juvenology's guide to early jowls covers that area. Clinicians who developed a neck-line grading scale noted that horizontal lines are often seen in younger patients. [1] A crease on your neck is not, by itself, a sign of damage or of something that needs correcting. Lighting, camera angle and head position change how the neck looks in photographs, so photos can mislead.

Close-up illustration of a neck with natural horizontal lines in soft light — Illustration: natural horizontal lines on the neck.

What causes neck wrinkles?

Usually more than one of the factors below is involved, and the mix differs from one person to the next.

Skin ageing. With age, the skin loses some of its collagen and elastin. [3] In a study of 450 women, every sign of neck ageing assessed, from horizontal folds to texture and bands, became more marked with age, and changes in elasticity tended to come before visible signs. [2]

Sun exposure. Long-term ultraviolet exposure is the main cause of photoageing. [5] The neck is often exposed but easily forgotten when applying sunscreen. Sun-related neck changes include redness and pigmentation on the sides of the neck [4] and the thickened, furrowed skin that can develop on the back of the neck. [6]

Movement and folding. The neck bends many times a day. It is plausible that repeated folding contributes to horizontal lines, but this has not been directly measured.

Genetics, smoking and weight. In a study of identical twins, differences in smoking, sun exposure and weight were associated with differences in how old each twin looked. [8] Smoking is linked with skin thinning and accelerated neck ageing, [3] and weight change can affect fullness under the chin and how loose the skin looks.

Hormones. Studies of postmenopausal women found that skin collagen falls in the years after the menopause, measured on the thigh rather than the neck. [9] Neck wrinkles alone are not a reason for hormone tests or treatment. The guide to skin changes in perimenopause covers this stage of life in more detail.

Muscle and fat. The platysma muscle lies just beneath the skin of the neck. With age it can form visible vertical bands, and fat can build up under the chin. [3] These are structural changes, which is why skin treatments alone do not address them.

Tech neck wrinkles: what the evidence says

"Tech neck" is often used to describe horizontal neck lines blamed on looking down at phones and laptops. The idea is plausible, because looking down folds the neck skin along the same lines. However, no study has shown that phone use causes neck wrinkles, or that changing your screen position will reverse lines that are already established. Clinicians also note that horizontal neck lines are common in younger people generally. [1]

The term "text neck" is also used for neck and shoulder pain linked to posture, which is a separate issue from wrinkles. [7] Holding a screen at a comfortable height is sensible for your neck and shoulders, but it is not a proven wrinkle treatment. If neck pain is your main concern, see a GP or physiotherapist first rather than an aesthetic clinic.

When a neck change needs medical advice

Not every change in the neck is cosmetic. Gradual lines and loosening over years are normal. A new lump, swelling or difficulty swallowing should be checked by a doctor first.

If you notice	What to do
A swelling in your neck with difficulty breathing or noisy, wheezy breathing	Call 999 or go to A&E [10]
New difficulty swallowing, or swollen glands with great difficulty swallowing or difficulty breathing	Ask for an urgent GP appointment or contact NHS 111 [11, 12]
A neck lump that is hard and does not move, is getting bigger, or has lasted more than 2 weeks, or a swelling on the side of the neck that has not gone down within 2 weeks	See a GP [13]
Swollen glands that are getting bigger or have not gone down within a week, or swollen glands just above or below the collarbone	See a GP [12]
A lump or swelling at the front of the neck	See a GP. It may be a swollen thyroid (goitre) [10]

No cosmetic treatment should be offered for an unexplained lump or swelling until its cause is known.

How to get rid of neck wrinkles: what actually helps

There is no single way to get rid of horizontal neck lines. Daily sun protection and moisturiser help the neck look smoother and slow further sun damage, but they do not remove established creases. Of the professional options, hyaluronic acid placed along individual lines has the most direct neck evidence, although the studies are small and treatment is often repeated. [14, 15, 16, 25]

Approach	What it can do	What it cannot do	Evidence
Daily sun protection on the neck	Slow further sun-related ageing	Remove existing lines	Strongest of the home options [14, 15]
Moisturiser	Make dry, crepey skin look smoother while used	Change established creases	Short-term effect [16]
Retinoid products	Improve fine lines and sun damage over time	Tighten loose skin; neck skin irritates easily	Mostly manufacturer-funded neck studies [17]
Skin-quality treatments	Improve texture, hydration and fine crepiness	Lift skin or remove deep creases	Small, often manufacturer-linked [28, 30]
Injections along individual lines	Soften selected horizontal lines	Last indefinitely; often repeated	Most direct neck evidence, mostly uncontrolled [25]
Tightening devices	Modest tightening of mild laxity	Remove excess skin or bands	Moderate, short-term [36]
Surgery	Reposition tissue and remove excess skin	Avoid weeks of recovery	Established [43]

No cream, exercise or single treatment removes every type of neck line, so it helps to know which change you want to work on before choosing.

Neck wrinkle prevention and home care

Skincare and habits mainly affect the surface of the skin. They can help the neck age more slowly and look smoother, but they do not remove established creases, tighten loose skin or change muscle bands.

Sun protection. The NHS advises sunscreen on all exposed skin, including the neck, using at least SPF 30 with at least 4-star UVA protection, reapplied regularly. [14] In a randomised trial, daily sunscreen users showed 24% less skin ageing over four and a half years. That trial measured the backs of the hands, not the neck, but the same principle is likely to apply to other sun-exposed skin. [15] For the face, see the forehead lines guide.

Moisturisers. Moisturisers trap water in the skin and can make dry, crepey skin look and feel smoother while you keep using them. [16]

Retinoids and the best cream for neck wrinkles. Vitamin A derivatives can improve fine lines and sun damage, but neck skin is easily irritated. In a manufacturer-funded study of a retinol neck product, about 30% of users had some irritation. [17] Most neck-cream studies are funded by their makers and many lack a proper comparison group, so the evidence does not identify any single "best" neck cream. [17, 18] Introduce active products gradually. Prescription retinoid creams and gels should not be used in pregnancy. [19]

Not smoking. Smoking is linked to faster skin ageing, including on the neck. [3]

Exercises, massage and supplements. A systematic review found too little evidence that facial exercises rejuvenate the skin, [20] and in one small study the neck measure did not change after 20 weeks of facial exercise. [21] Facial rollers and gua sha were not tested on neck lines. [22] A 2025 meta-analysis found no effect of collagen supplements on skin ageing when only independent or high-quality trials were considered. [23] No published research was found on silicone neck patches, and a review of home devices found no neck-specific studies. [24]

Neck wrinkle treatments compared

Neck treatments do different jobs. Some improve skin quality, some soften selected lines, some aim to tighten mildly lax skin, and only surgery repositions tissue and removes excess skin. There is also less research on the neck than on the face. Most studies are small, short and manufacturer-funded, and facial results do not automatically apply to the neck. The descriptions below are for education and do not mean that Juvenology offers every option.

Hyaluronic acid injections for horizontal lines

Soft hyaluronic acid products can be injected along individual horizontal lines to soften them. A 2026 meta-analysis of 11 neck studies (379 people) found improvement in horizontal neck lines. About half of patients had further treatment within 12 months, and 14% had complications, mostly mild bruising, swelling or tenderness. [25] Only one study was randomised, so the size of the benefit is uncertain. [25] Placing filler too close to the surface can leave a visible lump or a bluish tinge (the Tyndall effect). [27] Treating individual neck lines is a specialised technique, so ask whether a clinic offers it and how often it performs it.

Skin boosters and Profhilo

Skin boosters, often based on hyaluronic acid, aim to improve hydration and skin quality rather than fill lines. A small study of 14 women treated with Profhilo on the neck reported improvement in a neck laxity scale at 90 days, with no comparison group and manufacturer-linked authors. [28] A 2026 randomised trial of 188 people with moderate to severe neck wrinkles compared two non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products, each given in three sessions a month apart. Both groups improved on a neck-lines scale four weeks after the last session, with no significant difference between them, and there was no untreated comparison group. [26] "Mesotherapy" describes many different injected mixtures and has no single evidence base. [29] See the guide to Profhilo and the Profhilo treatment page.

Polynucleotides

In an observational study of one polynucleotide product on the face, neck and décolleté, about half of patients rated their neck "much" or "very much" improved at three months. There was no comparison group, and the manufacturer paid the publication costs. [30] Read more in the guide to polynucleotides. At Juvenology, polynucleotide injections are offered for the neck and carried out by the founder. The aftercare guide for injectable treatments explains what to expect afterwards.

Hyaluronic acid with PDLLA (Juvelook)

Juvelook combines hyaluronic acid with poly-D,L-lactic acid, intended to encourage gradual collagen building. Published studies are small, mainly on the face and often manufacturer-linked, and no published neck study was found. [31, 32] Lumps (nodules) are a recognised risk. [31] Juvenology offers Juvelook for the neck.

Microneedling and radiofrequency microneedling

Microneedling creates tiny controlled channels in the skin to encourage repair. A systematic review of facial microneedling found high satisfaction, with temporary redness the most common side effect, but it covered the face, not the neck. [33] Radiofrequency microneedling adds heat. In a controlled study of 30 people treated on the lower face, jawline and neck, it improved tightening over six months, and its risks include burns and scarring. [34, 35] Juvenology offers microneedling. For what to do before and after, see microneedling preparation and aftercare.

HIFU and microfocused ultrasound

Focused ultrasound delivered beneath the skin aims to encourage gradual tightening. A systematic review found microfocused ultrasound effective for mild to moderate laxity of the face and neck, with small measured changes under the chin and no long-term data. [36] Most evidence comes from one device type, treatment is often moderately painful, and burns or temporary altered sensation are uncommon risks. [36, 37] It does not remove excess skin. Juvenology offers HIFU skin tightening for the face and neck. HIFU vs RF microneedling for tightening compares the two in more detail.

Lasers, peels and radiofrequency devices

Lasers and peels mainly improve surface texture and sun-related pigmentation. Neck skin heals more slowly than the face, and scarring has been reported after ablative neck resurfacing. [39, 40] Reviews rate the overall quality of non-invasive radiofrequency research as low. [38] Laser resurfacing and IPL are not among the treatments Juvenology lists.

Vertical bands and surgery

Vertical bands come from the platysma muscle, so skin treatments do not address them. A neck lift tightens the soft tissues and removes excess skin, with about two to four weeks' recovery and risks including nerve injury. [42, 43] A surgical opinion from a General Medical Council-registered surgeon may be worthwhile for significant loose skin or prominent bands. [43] Juvenology does not provide surgery.

How the options compare

Main concern	Option that may be discussed	Intended improvement	Important limitation	Evidence	Practical points
Horizontal lines	Hyaluronic acid for lines	Softer selected lines	Lumps or bluish tinge if too superficial; often repeated	Mostly small, uncontrolled neck studies [25]	Specialist technique; bruising common
Crepey texture	Skin boosters, polynucleotides, microneedling	Smoother, more hydrated skin	No lift; evidence often facial	Small, often manufacturer-linked [28, 30]	Usually a course of sessions
Mild laxity	HIFU, radiofrequency microneedling	Gradual, modest tightening	Not for marked laxity; device-specific	Moderate, short-term [36]	Discomfort; uncommon burns or altered sensation
Sun damage	Sun protection, lasers, IPL	Better tone and texture	Neck heals slowly; scarring risk	Limited for the neck [39]	Downtime varies
Bands or excess skin	Assessment; surgical opinion	Repositioning (surgery)	Surgery has weeks of recovery	Established for surgery [43]	Not a skin-quality problem
Any	No treatment	None	Changes continue	Not applicable	Always a reasonable choice

Combining treatments that address different concerns is sometimes discussed, but more procedures do not automatically produce a better result, and each adds cost and risk.

What a neck assessment should cover

Your concern and goal: what you notice and what you would like to be different.
What is contributing: lines, texture, laxity, bands, fullness under the chin, sun damage and the jawline, examined at rest and in movement.
Your medical history: medicines, allergies, skin conditions, previous treatments and anything that affects bleeding or healing.
Whether a medical opinion is needed first, for example for a lump or difficulty swallowing.
Realistic options, including skincare alone, a surgical opinion or doing nothing, with risks, recovery and total cost.

Neck treatment costs at Juvenology

Published prices relevant to the neck include polynucleotide injections at £250 per area per session or £675 for a prepaid course of three, and Juvelook for the neck at £500 per session. Prices for HIFU, microneedling and Profhilo are on their service pages. The in-person consultation is listed at £50. Prices were checked on 20 October 2026. Please confirm current fees when you book, and ask for the total cost of any suggested plan.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I have horizontal lines on my neck?

Horizontal lines are creases across the front of the neck. They can appear at any age, and they tend to deepen as the skin loses collagen and elastic tissue with age and sun exposure. [1, 2, 3, 5] Genetics, smoking and weight changes also play a part. [8]

Are neck folds the same as neck wrinkles?

"Neck folds" usually means the horizontal creases across the front of the neck. "Neck wrinkles" is broader and also covers crepey texture, loose skin and vertical bands, which have different causes. [3]

At what age do neck lines appear?

Horizontal neck lines can appear at any age, including the teens and twenties, and are often seen in younger people. [1] They tend to become more marked with age, [2] but early lines are not necessarily a sign of ageing or damage.

Does looking at my phone cause tech neck lines?

It has been suggested but not proven. A comfortable screen position is good for your neck generally, but it has not been shown to prevent or reverse lines.

Do neck creams work?

Moisturisers can make dry or crepey skin look smoother while you use them. Evidence for specific neck creams comes mostly from manufacturer-funded studies, and no cream has been shown to remove established creases. [17, 18]

What is the best treatment for neck wrinkles?

There is no single best treatment. Hyaluronic acid injected along selected lines has the most direct neck evidence, but treatment is often repeated and the studies are small. [25] Skin-quality treatments may help fine lines and texture, and tightening treatments may help mild laxity. The right choice depends on an assessment.

Can HIFU tighten the neck?

It may give modest tightening in mild to moderate laxity. It does not remove excess skin or treat muscle bands. [36]

When should I consider a neck lift?

When there is significant loose skin or prominent bands, or you want a more definite change than non-surgical treatment can give. [42, 43]

Book a neck and skin consultation in Maidstone

If you would like to understand what is changing on your neck and whether any treatment would help, a skin consultation at Juvenology Clinic, 82 King Street, Maidstone, gives you time to talk it through, including whether doing nothing is the better choice. You do not need to choose a treatment before booking, and there is no obligation to go ahead. You can book a consultation online or request a free discovery call on WhatsApp, which helps you choose the next step but is not a clinical assessment.

About the author

Marina Kostadinova-Yankova is the founder of Juvenology Clinic in Maidstone, Kent. She is a registered nurse with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), with more than 25 years of nursing experience. She is listed with the Joint Council for Cosmetic Practitioners (JCCP), is a member of the Royal College of Nursing, and has trained in aesthetic injectables with ACE Group and Derma Medical. Read more about Marina.

This article is general information and does not replace individual medical advice. If you notice a lump, swelling or difficulty swallowing, seek medical advice as described above. Information was checked in November 2026.