Skincare

TAKE THE PLUNGE

Sun, scent and skincare products may aff ect the delicate skin of the decolletage, so it pays to protect this often neglected area

WORDS SARAH MARINOS

Most women devote time and money to taking care of their face and body with products designed to keep skin supple, youthful and blemish-free.

But one area of the body is often overlooked — the decolletage area that runs from the neck and across the collarbone down to the top of the breasts.

Dermatologist and cosmetic and laser specialist Dr Belinda Welsh shares the following decolletage advice.

Always use sunscreen

When applying sunscreen, we often forget to cover our ears, neck and chest. Over time, repeated sun exposure leads to damaged skin.

“This can particularly be an issue for women who might wear lower-cut shirts and T-shirts. If their chest is exposed day after day without sunscreen, the damage accumulates,” Dr Welsh says.

There is a risk of skin cancer in more serious cases, and sun damage can also cause blotchiness or brown spots that may be treated with prescription creams or laser.

“Be wary of little red spots on the chest that bleed sometimes and don’t heal. If you notice any skin changes, get them checked,” Dr Welsh says.

Apply sunscreen frequently to all areas of your body, including your neck and chest, even during cooler months.

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Avoid spraying scent on skin

Poikiloderma of Civatte — the medical name may sound unusual but the skin condition, which usually affects the neck and decolletage, is actually quite common.

Women are more prone than men, it becomes more noticeable with age and is caused by perfume and the sun.

“Perfumes contain fragrance molecules and preservatives that can interact with the sun. This converts the molecules into chemicals that can irritate and damage skin, and cause broken capillaries, brown pigmentation and thinning of the skin,” Dr Welsh says.

“This kind of damage often appears on the sides of the neck and chest where women spray perfume. Instead of spraying your skin, put perfume on your clothes.”

Alternatively, try dusting your decolletage with bronzing powder instead of using scent.

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Moisturise and exfoliate

Skin on the decolletage is thinner and has fewer hair follicles and oil glands so it is delicate, prone to scarring and takes longer to repair. Much like the rest of the body, age also causes wrinkling of the area.

“Most people don’t have overly dry skin in this area but you can moisturise to keep the skin barrier in top shape,” Dr Welsh says.

A simple moisturiser is fine, but avoid applying higherstrength product containing alpha-hydroxy acids or retinols just before bedtime as it can collect in folds in the neck and cause irritation.

Smooth skin with gentle scrubs or exfoliants. Look for products containing alpha-hydroxy or beta-hydroxy acids, while creams containing 10-20 per cent urea or ammonium lactate have a smoothing effect.

“Test cream on a small area first and don’t use it just before bedtime to avoid irritation,” Dr Welsh advises.

DON’T FORGET YOUR HANDS Skin on our hands can also show signs of ageing. It loses fat and elasticity, which can lead to thinning skin prone to wrinkles and age spots. Like the skin on the decolletage and other parts of the body, hands need some care to slow the ageing process and damage.

USE SUNSCREEN When you are driving and have your hands on the wheel, skin is particularly exposed to the UV rays coming through the windscreen.

EXFOLIATE Gently remove dead and tough skin from the back of hands, palms and fingers.

MOISTURISE Keep hand cream in the car, on your desk or in the bathroom so you can moisturise regularly.

PROTECT Wear rubber gloves for protection against the harsh chemicals in cleaning products, and use mild soap for handwashing.

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Eat a healthy diet

This tip isn’t just for your decolletage — it is good advice for healthy skin and a healthy body. No single magic nutrient will deliver glowing skin, Dr Welsh says, but it’s important to follow recommended healthy eating guidelines.

“Your skin reflects your general health. Eat foods that are high in antioxidants and low in sugar, and avoid too much alcohol or smoking,” she says.

Antioxidant-rich foods include almonds, broccoli, kale, sweet potato, avocado, blueberries and grapes. Eating five serves of vegetables and two serves of fruit daily will boost your antioxidant intake.