Wrinkles on your chest are not unusual and typically do not pose risks to your health. But wrinkles on and around your décolletage can make you feel self-conscious.
Let’s take a look at the causes of wrinkles on your chest, as well as treatment and prevention strategies.
In general, wrinkles (rhytides) are folds on your body where the skin has lost its structure. Collagen and elastin, proteins that give your skin its firm appearance, live in the dermis, your skin’s second layer. Most of the factors that cause wrinkles, including wrinkles on your chest, are connected to these proteins breaking down or slowing down production, resulting in a visible fine line.
These causes of wrinkles on your chest include:
Sun damage
Sunbathing in a low-cut top can give you a flattering tan, but it comes at a cost.
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays produces free radicals, which are toxins that result from your environment. These toxins can then break down the elastin fibers in your skin. UV rays without sun protection speed up wrinkle formation all over your body.
Genetics
Some people are just more prone to getting wrinkles on their chest than others because of genetics. Genetics is the main factor that determines your skin’s texture and structure, so it makes sense that getting wrinkles at a certain age can run in your family.
Significant changes in your weight
When you lose a significant amount of weight, sagging skin and wrinkles can be a side effect. Gaining weight stretches the elastin and collagen in your skin. When you lose fat underneath your skin layer, these fibers don’t always shrink back. This can result in wrinkles in your chest area.
Smoking
Smoking tobacco increases the number of environmental toxins your skin is exposed to. Toxins in the smoke trigger free radical production on your skin, especially on exposed areas of your skin like your fingers, neck, and chest. This can put you at risk of developing wrinkles earlier in life.
Pregnancy
Breastfeeding and pregnancy cause your breasts to swell for a period of time. While your breasts fill with milk, they become heavier, which can put stress on the proteins in your skin layers. Sometimes even after you are done breastfeeding, you will notice that there is a new shape to your breasts and potentially, wrinkles on and between your breasts. Medical research
Bras and shapewear
The bras that you wear can influence whether you get chest wrinkles. Some people need a lot of support for their breasts to work against gravity and keep from damaging elastin and collagen in the skin layer. If you wear bras that fit improperly, don’t offer enough support, or crush your breasts down, you may notice wrinkles on your chest over time.
Chest wrinkles from sleeping
If you are a side sleeper, you may be at a higher risk of developing wrinkles on your chest. Sleeping on the same side every night causes your breasts to hang over in one direction for the duration of the night. Over time, gravity can contribute to deep, vertical wrinkles on your chest from sleeping on your side.
Topical steroid side effects
Topical steroid medications are sometimes prescribed to treat skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. These medications can actually
Once wrinkles have appeared, you have options for treatment. There is no “one-size-fits-all” method of treatment for wrinkles on your chest and décolletage. You may have to try a few home remedies or speak to a dermatologist if you are invested in making your chest wrinkles less visible.
Wrinkle cream
Wrinkle cream for your décolletage can include many of the same active ingredients that you use on your face.
Microneedling for chest wrinkles
Microneedling is an in-office procedure where a trained provider uses tiny needles to gently puncture your skin. This treatment is meant to stimulate collagen production and help minimize the signs of aging. You can get microneedling on your chest and breasts, but you’ll need to speak with a provider about special approaches they might take in areas where your skin tissue is extra sensitive.
Chest wrinkle pads
Over-the-counter silicone pads are sometimes used to treat wrinkles in the area right above your cleavage. These silicone pads claim to restore structure to the area. Silicone sheets are recommended for the treatment of hypertrophic scarring, so they do have some impact on the way your skin looks. The success of these types of chest wrinkle pads is mostly anecdotal at this point.
Laser therapy
Intense Pulse Light laser therapy (IPL), photodynamic laser treatment (PDT), and non-ablative fractionated lasers are among the types of laser therapy
Botox and dermal fillers
Botox and dermal fillers are sometimes used as a form of temporary treatment for wrinkles above your breasts. These types of treatments are minimally invasive and don’t require a lot of recovery time. They fill in the areas where your skin has lost firmness or elasticity to make it appear firm once again.
The best treatment for wrinkles is prevention. Wrinkle prevention can take a lot of forms, depending on your specific skin type and genetic risk factors. Steps to prevent wrinkles on your chest can include:
Eating a healthy diet
Eating a diet that rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and vitamin E will help protect and brighten your skin. Over the long term, this type of diet
Protecting your skin from the sun
Sunscreen, hats, and
Avoiding environmental exposure to toxins
Anything that puts you at risk of free radical exposure should be avoided whenever possible to protect your skin. That means avoiding getting smoke, chemicals, heavy metals, and insecticides on and around your skin when you’re able.
Practicing a regular skincare routine
A simple skincare routine that includes a vitamin C or retinol, a moisturizer, and a daily SPF can be applied to your skin every morning — and don’t skip your chest area.
Drinking plenty of water
If you keep your skin hydrated, it will look younger for longer. And the drier your skin, the more wrinkles you will
For many of us, chest wrinkles are just a natural part of the aging process. Aging can be a wonderful thing, and you can choose to embrace the signs of getting older. If you’re uncomfortable with wrinkles, particularly wrinkles in the area of your chest, you can check out prevention options and treatment strategies to help minimize the impact that your wrinkles have on your life.
FAQs
How do I get rid of wrinkles on my chest? ›
Those wanting to target their chest wrinkles may benefit from treatments such as laser therapy, chemical peels, filler injections, and medical-grade skin care products. Two of the most common solutions recommended for our patients tend to be fractional CO2 laser resurfacing and micropeels.
How can I prevent chest wrinkles? ›- Don't Sleep on Your Side. Sleeping on your back is easier said than done when you find yourself waking up on your side. ...
- Avoid the Sun. ...
- Cover Up When Possible. ...
- Wear Sunscreen Daily. ...
- Silicone Neck Pads. ...
- Moisturizers and Serums. ...
- Exfoliant. ...
- Retinoids.
Get Into Retinol
"Retinoids are a key part of an anti-aging regimen for the face, neck, and chest as it helps to regulate skin cell turnover and promote collagen production, improving the texture of the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles," says Garshick.
The chest wrinkles. Although crepey skin usually makes an appearance there when we hit our 40s, it can show up as early as our 20s and 30s. In fact, in some women, the lines and folds in the chest and cleavage area show up sooner than face wrinkles.
How can I tighten my chest skin? ›- Firming creams. A good choice for a firming cream is one that contains retinoids, says Dr. Alyson Wells, owner and medical director, Valley Plastic Surgery and Medi-spa. ...
- Supplements. ...
- Exercise. ...
- Lose weight. ...
- Massage the area. ...
- Cosmetic procedures.
Silicone patches really do work to reduce wrinkles and smooth fine lines and the science is there to back up all the claims however, just like with anything skincare related, they have to be in consistent use and require your upmost dedication and commitment in wearing them daily.
Is coconut oil good for chest wrinkles? ›Though you cannot reverse the aging process, you can reduce their appearance. You can use coconut oil as a natural moisturizer for wrinkles as it is one of the safest and most effective solutions available to promote skin hydration and repair damaged skin. Coconut oil moisturizes the skin, helps improve collagen i.
Does Microneedling help chest wrinkles? ›An excellent treatment for rejuvenating the skin of the chest area is that of PRP Microneedling. PRP Microneedling uses tiny needles to create pinpricks in the surface of the skin, which activates the wound-healing properties of the skin and induces new collagen production in the treatment area.
Should you put vitamin C serum on chest? ›Use Vitamin C
Applying the serum each evening after exfoliating will help make the skin on the neck and chest look brighter, smoother, and younger.
You may also choose to use vitamin C serum on your chest if you have dark spots you want to minimize or would like to mitigate the effects of sun damage. Always make sure that you apply your serum before your moisturizer for best results.
Can you get Botox for chest wrinkles? ›
Botox injections can help relax the muscles of the chest, making lines look less pronounced. But Solish warns that unlike injections on the face, the results on the décolletage are modest, reducing the appearance of wrinkles by between “20 to 30 per cent”. Moreover, the effects only last about a month.
What are chest wrinkles called? ›Chest wrinkles, also called cleavage rhytides, sleep creases, or décolletage wrinkles, are skin creases that appear on the upper chest between the neck and upper abdomen. Chest wrinkles start out as dynamic lines or creases that result from certain body movements and positions such as sleeping on your side.
Does taking collagen help reduce wrinkles? ›Furthermore, oral intake of collagen enhances the moisture content of the skin, especially the stratum corneum, as well as the elasticity of the skin, reducing wrinkling and roughness [37].
Can I use tretinoin cream on my chest? ›Tretinoin works nicely to improve the appearance of the neck and chest skin.
What vitamins make skin tighter? ›Vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect against oxidative damage and plays a role in the production of collagen, which helps keep skin firm and elastic. Particularly in topical applications, Vitamin C has been shown to decrease skin wrinkling and increase collagen production.
What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? ›Inadequate Vitamin D in the skin causes it to become thin, saggy, wrinkled, and weak. Your skin is your largest organ, so making sure it's strong and healthy is incredibly important in preventing premature aging. Dr.
What is best for chest lines? ›- #1 Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Lasers. It sounds scary we know, but CO2 lasers are great to resurface and remove wrinkles from the chest as well as scarring and age spots. ...
- #2 Chemical Peels. ...
- #3 Dermal Fillers. ...
- #4 Micro Fat Grafting. ...
- #5 Anti-Aging Cream. ...
- #6 Micro-Needling.
Fraxel laser is great at stimulating production growth in the skin. This creates tightening and rejuvenation that is very natural because it is your body making the collagen in response to the light energy from the laser. Fraxel laser can diminish or eradicate lines or discoloration on the chest.
Do push up bras cause chest wrinkles? ›The lines can also be caused by sports and push-up bras, which smush the breasts together and are often worn for hours. Once the collagen in skin breaks down from age and sun exposure, those wrinkles tend to linger.
What oil to rub on chest? ›Eucalyptus essential oil can be used to calm a cough in several ways. A person may want to try: adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to 1 ounce of carrier oil and rubbing the mixture onto the chest and throat. diluting eucalyptus oil in boiling water and inhaling the steam.
Which oil is best to remove wrinkles? ›
- Argan oil. Perhaps the ultimate wrinkle-fighting oil. ...
- Sweet Almond oil helps to soften facial lines, and has a soft texture that gives a velvety finish to the skin. ...
- Rose Hip oil. ...
- Evening Primrose oil. ...
- Borage oil.
PicoSure FOCUS– Refresh your skin with the PicoSure FOCUS laser. This treatment increases collagen and elastin production, the building blocks of healthy skin. It can smooth wrinkles, fade pigmentation problems, and restore beautiful skin.
How often should you microneedle your chest? ›How Often to Microneedle? For general skin renewal, Microneedling on neck or chest is effective when performed every three to six months. For hyperpigmentation or to target a specific skin problem, three Microneedling sessions that are scheduled 4-6 weeks apart are recommended.
How deep should microneedling be on chest? ›The correct depth for microneedling stretchmarks is 1.5mm-2.5mm. It's recommended to start with a 1.5mm depth for 3-4 sessions before considering a larger size.
Why am I getting wrinkles on my chest? ›When you lose a significant amount of weight, sagging skin and wrinkles can be a side effect. Gaining weight stretches the elastin and collagen in your skin. When you lose fat underneath your skin layer, these fibers don't always shrink back. This can result in wrinkles in your chest area.
How do I get rid of Crepey skin on my neck and chest? ›- Topical retinoid. Either in a cream or gel, retinoids encourage exfoliation and speed cell turnover. ...
- Fractional laser treatment (Fraxel) ...
- Ultrasound (Ulthera) ...
- Cryolipolysis (CoolSculpting) ...
- Fillers.
Exfoliate With Gentle Scrubs To Shed Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliating scrubs remove dead skin cells from the top layer of your skin. Scrub using circular motions on your chest, just like you would when exfoliating your face. You may be tempted to use harsh scrubs to get rid of your chest acne faster.
Vitamin C is effectively an acid (it's sometimes known as ascorbic acid), so layering it with AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acids is a big no-no.
What happens if we apply vitamin C serum on face daily? ›It can boost your circulation, brighten your skin, help to heal surface damage, stimulate collagen production, and even scavenge free radicals to prevent the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. The best news is that many dermatologists recommend vitamin C serum for all skin types.
How do I prevent chest wrinkles from side sleeping? ›Sleep on your Back
Research suggests that if your favored sleeping position is on your side or stomach, you may be more susceptible to deep lines and wrinkles on your chest. Training yourself to sleep on your back will help prevent this from happening.
Should you put serum on your chest? ›
Much like the face, the skin on the chest suffers from a lot of wear and tear, so this delicate area also needs skin-plumping, antioxidant-boosting ingredients. Be sure to extend your nighttime moisturizer to the chest area, and for extra anti-aging benefits, use a firming serum underneath your moisturizer.
Is it OK to put Vaseline over vitamin C serum? ›A person can apply serums or other active ingredients to their skin before applying Vaseline as a moisturizer. The Vaseline will help seal in the other skin care products, allowing them more time to work on the skin.
How long does Botox on chest last? ›In general, Botox lasts 3-4 months. There will certainly be patients in which in lasts longer, in that 4-6 month range, or shorter, in that 2-month range. It is also common for first-timers to notice that it may not last as long initially but may last longer after the second treatment.
What is chest rejuvenation? ›Chest rejuvenation is an ideal way to improve the skin tone, skin texture and overall appearance of your chest to complement your other anti-aging efforts and make you feel more confident in public.
Can you put filler in your chest? ›Yes, you absolutely can! We tend to favor fillers and lasers done in combination with regenerative stimulatory agents (things like biostimulatory fillers - Sculptra & Radiesse - or Cellular Messenger Directives (CMD) or Concentrated Platelet Injections) for chest wrinkles.
What is a chest pillow? ›The Chest Pillow is designed to support and cushion the chest and décolletage, preventing the formation of deep set sleep wrinkles and reducing strain while you sleep.
Should a 60 year old woman take collagen? ›Studies have shown that supplementing with collagen peptides — broken down collagen that's easier for your body to absorb — may be beneficial for older people and promote skin and bone health during aging.
How much collagen should a 60 year old woman take? ›To reap the benefits for skin health, the research recommends that you take between 2.5 to 5 grams of collagen per day (2). This amount is shown to increase skin elasticity and hydration in elderly women while reducing the depth of existing skin wrinkles in middle-aged women.
Is it OK to put retinol on chest? ›Apply topical retinoids
Retinoid products are available by prescription or over the counter. Here are some products that include retinol that can be found online: Kleem Organics Advanced Retinol Moisturizer is ideal for using on your face, neck, and chest.
Get Into Retinol
"Retinoids are a key part of an anti-aging regimen for the face, neck, and chest as it helps to regulate skin cell turnover and promote collagen production, improving the texture of the skin and reducing fine lines and wrinkles," says Garshick.
Can you put retinol cream on your chest? ›
'If your face tolerates an active ingredient like retinol or vitamin C, then the chest and neck will tolerate them, too. In fact, women can often apply retinol every night on the chest without any irritation, but only alternate nights on the face.
Can you put filler in chest wrinkles? ›Thankfully, when it comes to chest rejuvenation, there are a variety of non-invasive treatment options that can help to reduce the appearance of aging on the chest area. One of the most popular treatments is the use of dermal fillers like Sculptra.
Can sleep wrinkles be reversed? ›However, sleep wrinkles can be improved by facial fillers (e.g., Juvederm, Restylane, Belotero), laser resurfacing and face-lifting in some cases. To minimize sleep wrinkles, patients should focus on keeping their skin healthy.
Is there Botox for chest wrinkles? ›If you are noticing wrinkles in this area it's not too late to soften the wrinkles in the chest area. Botox and dermal fillers can help reverse the aging process. Botox is a good treatment to soften wrinkles in the neck and chest areas.
Do chest pillows work? ›A chest pillow acts as a separator. Preventing weight shifting from one side to the other and providing additional support to your chest while you shift positions throughout the night. The support helps to restrict the movement and pulling around the delicate décolletage, preventing sleep wrinkles.
What is the best laser treatment for chest wrinkles? ›IPL– One of the oldest treatments in laser medicine, IPL is still one of the best rejuvenation options available. It uses intense light that's similar to a laser but with a lower intensity. This light helps fade brown spots, broken capillaries, and blotchy skin.
Can I have Botox on my chest? ›Botox is a highly effective treatment to relax the muscles of the chest, and in particular, décolletage wrinkles.
Does Microneedling work on chest? ›Yes, because it's safe to use on the chest of all skin types despite the presence of complications and side effects. Uses of microneedling RF range from skin rejuvenation to solving hyperhidrosis, and these are also applicable for the chest area and other body parts.
What sleep position gets rid of wrinkles? ›Sleeping on your back
According to Dr. Vasyukevic, the supine position is the best position all around for prolonging youthful skin. Not only does it prevent wrinkles due to the lack of wrinkle-inducing friction, it also stops the skin from feeling the pressure of your face "folding" into the pillow.
If you sleep on your side or on your stomach, your face might be pressed into your pillow, causing your skin to fold up and form vertical wrinkles. Since we all spend around a third of our lives asleep, these “sleep lines” get repeatedly reinforced and etched into your skin over time, like folds in leather shoes.
Can anything reverse wrinkles? ›
Retinol, antioxidants and some peptides may result in slight to modest improvements in wrinkles. Products that contain alpha hydroxy acids — such as glycolic acid and lactic acid — may help remove the top layer of dead skin and stimulate new skin growth.
How many laser treatments for chest? ›Between appointments
During your treatment, laser energy targets the hair follicle, but only the hair follicles that are in their growing phase. To ensure that every hair follicle is treated during the growing phase, you'll likely need six to eight treatments, spaced about six to eight weeks apart.
IPL Photofacial is the preferred treatment to improve crepey, wrinkled skin, and improve color and texture for blotchy, sun-damaged, and discolored skin on the chest and neck. Photofacial results in a more even skin tone and texture. Photofacial benefits for neck and chest include: Reversing sun damage (photoaging)