Here's How To Prevent A Crepey Neck And Chest

Crepey skin is usually thought of as showing up in old age, and while it certainly does appear more often with time, aging is not the number one cause of crepey skin. The number one cause is sun damage. 

Dermatologist Ranella Hirsch tells Byrdie, "Wrinkling is related to genetics, facial movement, and some sun damage. Crepey skin, on the other hand, is related only to sun damage whereby the sun is breaking down the elastin."

Through spending prolonged days in the sun over a long period of time, the elastin in the skin begins to break down. That's key because elastin is what allows the skin to stretch, move with ease, and then snap back into position. Without it, skin becomes worn out and loses elasticity, so it hangs. At the same time, collagen decreases, causing the skin to thin out, lose firmness, and sag.

The most common areas on the body that crepey skin shows up are on the upper arms, chest, and neck. These are the areas that are typically most exposed to the sun's UV rays, as well as pollution and environmental chemicals, per WebMD.

Still, there are ways to prevent getting crepey skin in the first place.