SkinRepublic

Dear Dr. Jen,

                I am 60 years old and noticed that my neck is more wrinkly than my face.  Also, there is a difference in color because it seems to be a shade darker than my face.  Is this normal?  And is there something I can do about it?

Lita

Dear Lita,

Wrinkly necks, otherwise coined as "turkey necks," sag as we age because of the loss of fat. Although the face also loses some fat, chances are you might have been paying more attention to your face with the use of anti-ageing products.  This may have slowed down ageing on your face, but sadly not on your neck.  The neck can really give you away.

Don't despair, though, because technology can still help your neck catch up with your face.  Laser resurfacing like fractional laser can improve fine wrinkles and improve the texture.  Radiofrequency can help tighten skin and give it a "lift" by producing new collagen in the dermis.  Botox can also reduce neck bands, the rope like cords that form along the neck as we age.

The neck is often overlooked and neglected.  It may be a good time to use sunblock not only on the face, but also the neck.  Retinoids and AHAs (alpha hydroxyl acids) that are found in your facial moisturizers and anti-ageing serums must also be applied on the neck daily.  Using technology in tandem with the anti-ageing creams will help your neck get back on track faster.

Dear Dr. Jen,

I've noticed that my eyebrows aren't even.  Is there a nonsurgical solution to this?  I try to hide my higher eyebrow with my bangs but I don't want to keep on doing it forever.

Mona

Dear Mona,

You are not alone.  If you look closely at every person you meet, each side of the face is not exactly symmetrical with the other side.  However, uneven eyebrows can be quite distracting, especially if one side seems to be perpetually surprised or even "mataray" (strict).

Botox has an off-label solution to this.  Injecting a teeny-tiny bit of botulinum toxin to the higher brow to lower it or the lower brow to raise it (depending on your needs) can make a difference. You can start with very small amounts then slowly build up until you like the results.  Botox can be a very satisfying solution.  If botox is not an option, you can also choose to have a tattoo artist make the eyebrows more symmetrical. 

Good luck to what option you do choose!

Dr. Tan is a diplomate of Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) and is affiliated with Perpetual Succour Hospital (PSH). For information on PDS, check http://www.pds.org.ph/. For questions or concerns, please text to: 0932 857 7070; or email to: [email protected]; or call The Freeman: (032) 2531276, or PSH: (032) 233 8620 and 232 5929. Your inquiries will be forwarded to Dr. Tan.