Easy Ways To Keep Your Decollete Youthful

It's a Saturday night, you're putting on that gorgeous low-neck black dress, and right before you head out, you look at your decollete and...IS THAT A WRINKLE?

Suddenly, all that talk about taking care of your decollete the way you take care of your facial skin doesn't seem so unnecessary!

Well, maybe you might not have wrinkles there yet, but it could happen- as a matter of fact, it WILL happen sooner rather than later if you don't take care of it properly.

This area is the most affected by aging. It seems like it's one of the first places where wrinkles or age spots start showing up. But there are ways to keep it looking young and fresh even into old age.

We'll examine these further so you can start implementing your decolletage anti-aging plan at once!

What Is The Difference Between Decollete And Décolletage?

The decollete refers to your neckline area from the base of your throat (below your chin) to the top of your chest and the cleavage between your breasts. The decolletage refers to the same area, but with the addition of your shoulders and arms.

You refer to decollete when speaking about the appearance of your chest, and you refer to the décolletage when describing the physical characteristics or attributes of that same area.

The French word "decollete" is an adjective for describing a low-cut dress, blouse, etc., exposing some cleavage or the area on your chest revealing the same thing.

Decolletage is the actual noun of that particular area on your chest.

Okay, now that you have the basics under your belt: What Makes The Decollete So Special?

Why Take Care Of Your Decollete?

The decolletage is very different from other areas of our body because it lacks fat. That might sound like a good thing, but the lack of fat makes skin thin and sensitive due to less protection from the elements.

Thin skin also means it's more likely to show signs of aging because thin skin is less elastic and flexible. Skin like that tends to lead to wrinkles forming faster in places we do not want them to be!

Since the decollete includes the region of skin that lies between our collarbone and our breasts, this area is extremely delicate but highly visible! If you don't look out for it, it will age faster than the rest of your body.

I don't know about you, but if I'm wearing something that's more low cut and ultimately showing off some more- I want that area to look top-notch! Low-cut little black dresses do not go well with a saggy, wrinkly, and dark spot-ridden decolletage.

But with a few easy steps and a little bit of extra effort, you'll be able to keep your decolletage looking young and fresh.

How To Keep your Decollete Youthful

Let's examine those five steps to keeping your decolletage youthful.

1. Wear Sunscreen every day.

Being specific here, we want a broad spectrum SPF. We all hear about how important SPF is, but why is SPF so crucial with your decolletage?

What Can Sun Damage Do To Your Decollete?

When it comes to aging, sun damage is the number one cause of wrinkles and spots. UV rays can damage the elastin in your skin, and for an area with already little elastin, you need to protect it as much as possible.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, we should use a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ lotion daily.

Broad-spectrum SPF will keep your skin hydrated and protected from the elements.

When applying sunscreen, remember to cover all areas under your chin to the cleavage between your breasts. Never stop at your chin!

SPF will help keep your decolletage youthful and fresh as you age!

2. Cleanse Gently

....And Effectively

First and foremost, the skin of your decolletage is fragile, so harsh cleansers and even the way you cleanse can impact your skin. Choose mild, gentle cleansers.

If you're not using a cleanser that is gentle enough for your skin, then there's a good chance it will cause irritation and possibly even redness. This bumps up the chances of you developing wrinkles or age spots.

And ladies, please avoid those rough scrubbers and scalding hot water while you cleanse! Use fingertips to gently massage the cleanser in and lukewarm water to wash off. Using cooler water will help reduce irritation.

Remember, your decolletage is not like the rest of the skin on your body. It's thin and sensitive, so treat it as such!

3. Apply Daily Moisturizer

Why is moisturizer so important?

Aside from your skin being thinner in the decolletage region, this area also has fewer oil glands than other parts of your body. Naturally, this makes the area more prone to drier skin. Dry skin is NOT good for aging.

Hence, keeping this area hydrated is key to keeping it fresh and youthful, but any moisturizer just won't do.

Choose a moisturizer that is specifically geared to aging skin. We want something rich yet non-greasy!

If you receive regular full-body waxes, it’s even more important to moisturize. When performing your post-wax routine with Starpil’s Post-Wax Lotion and Post-Wax Oil, make sure to extend these products’ highly moisturizing and hydrating properties to benefit your decollete area, which can be very sensitive and prone to experiencing dryness. Bundle up and save with the Pre and Post Wax Care bundle, perfect for both salon or at-home use.

Hydration is crucial to anti-aging, so don't forget about your thirsty decolletage! It will thank you later by keeping firm skin while those around you have crepy/wrinkly skin.

4. Exfoliate Regularly

The area around your decolletage, specifically the neck, can get dry and flaky, just like the rest of your body.

Like cleansing, exfoliating needs to be done gently to help keep your skin firm and elastic and keep ugly flaking to a minimum. If you have oily skin, your chest can be prone to breakouts, and exfoliating regularly can help control those breakouts.

Besides, exfoliation is vital in having a glowing, radiant skin tone and texture- which is precisely what we want for our decolletage!

We will reiterate, too, always be gentle while you're exfoliating. If you're yanking and pulling your skin while exfoliating, you're not going to help with anti-aging; you'll be encouraging the aging process!

Decide which method of exfoliation- mechanical or chemical- is best for your skin. Mechanically using scrubs, gloves, or body brushes is effective with light pressure and upwards motions. Chemical exfoliation is also appropriate, but you may find that you will be applying them much less frequently than is needed for your face due to your skin's sensitivity in the decolletage region.

Either way, a gentle approach is key.

The point of the matter is, don't neglect exfoliation, no matter what form it comes in!

5. Use Serums

Our last ammo for easy ways to keep your decolletage youthful includes serums in your regular skincare regimen. Serums that target sagging/aging skin are optimal for your delicate decollete area.

The ingredients in serums will be much more concentrated than your regular moisturizer- so they're able to do a lot more work!

Some serums can help stimulate collagen production, which is critical in youthful-looking skin. Using Hyaluronic serum is excellent for your decolletage because of its hydration characteristics.

NOTE: Whether you are applying a moisturizer or serum, always apply it in an upwards motion. For more beauty insider tips read our post, Estheticians share their top beauty hacks.

Basic Decollete Skin Care

Basic skincare no longer remains just for your face! Don't neglect traveling south a little bit each time you are cleansing, exfoliating, and applying SPF, moisturizers, and serums.

Most sun damage occurs from childhood to early adulthood, and your decolletage will suffer from this. It is never too early to regularly apply SPF all over your face, neck, and chest. These are the beginning and first steps of anti-aging!

Your skin is the largest organ in your body, so why not help it along?

Aside from these five main tips listed above, there are a few other things you can do for basic skincare!

Look for products with the following ingredients: Retinol, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, and Peptides. These will help exfoliate away the old cells on your skin while stimulating collagen production. They'll also help in evening out your skin tone!

Be cautious of how you sleep. Sleeping constantly on your side can cause the sagging effect. Of course, we are not saying you can never sleep on your side again, but regular side sleeping patterns can actually increase the aging effect on your decolletage. Try using a breast pillow for support, and try sleeping on your back on occasion.

Your decollete is going to look younger and vibrant for longer if you use basic skincare procedures. Sagging and aging skin can be prevented-- you just have to make these tips a part of your daily routine.

In Summary

Your decollete is the area of your chest from the chin down, including where your cleavage is. Due to its thin, delicate skin, it is prone to age faster than other areas of your body.

Keeping it looking youthful isn't a matter of expensive treatments or things that take a lot of time! It mainly involves including your decolletage in your regular cleansing routine, gentle exfoliation, application of SPF, a non-greasy moisturizer, and serums to help with hydration and anti-aging.

Don't wait until you see the wrinkles and sunspots to take preventative action. Start using our easy tips to keep that gorgeous decollete of yours young and beautiful!