3 Ways to Give Your Chest Some TLC

WHY DOES THE CHIN-TO-CHEST STRETCH NEED LOVE?

Compared to other areas of the body, the skin here is thinner and has fewer oil glands. That means dark spots and wrinkles can appear sooner and look more intense, says Dr Shereene Idriss, MD, a dermatologist in NYC.

1. MINIMISE LINES

Horizontal ‘necklace’ lines can be attributed to natural collagen loss and repetitive downward motions, explains dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD, at Skinfluence in NYC (so, your phone addiction!). Vertical chest lines, also a result of collagen loss, can be triggered by sleeping on your side or stomach as well, says Dr. Marina. (Elemis Pro-Collagen Neck & Décolleté Balm can help smooth both.) You can also try SiO’s reusable overnight chest patch, which uses medical-grade silicone to draw moisture to the skin and temporarily plump vertical lines while you snooze.

2. CREATE CONTOURS

Creams won’t sculpt a puffy chin and jaw. But two pro treatments—gua sha and microcurrent—can be an immediate (albeit temporary) fix. The former, a Chinese medicine technique, uses a smooth tool (like the jade one below) to massage the face and neck to release tension and define muscles, says Sandra Lanshin Chiu, a gua sha specialist and licensed acupuncturist. Microcurrent, on the other hand, sends painless, low-level electrical currents through facial tissue and muscle to tighten, tone, and support lymphatic drainage, says Sadie Adams, Sonage brand ambassador and Founder of Take Care Spa in NYC.

3. BRIGHTEN SKIN TONE

Just like on your face, UV exposure can trigger excess melanin production and cause discolouration on your décolletage. “A daily brightening serum, with ingredients like kojic acid and niacinamide, can help fade unwanted pigment,” says Dr Shereene. And don’t forget sunscreen. “Apply it as often as you do to your face—it’s essential for keeping your skin tone even and preventing future hyperpigmentation,” she adds.

 

This article was originally published in the July 2018 issue of Cosmopolitan India.