Chest Creases

[ILuvLucy]

So I was trying to take a picture of myself to show you ladies my new(ish) hair color that I had done this week.  Snapped a few photos, and went back to look them over.  I had on a V-neck shirt (which - I love V-necks, btw), and was saddened by how horrible my chest looks.     Is there any help for me?  I have Rx Tretinoin cream for my face.  Is that something I could try on my chest?  Or should I resign myself to turtlenecks?

[Styyna]

Speaking very unscientifically, it seems to me that the chest area doesn't have the same plumping cells in and under the skin. Therefore, I think it might be hard to do a lot to improve it. But I don't mean to be discouraging either.

I suggest regular exfoliation, just like on your face. Then, if it were me, I'd be apply a serum that contains hyaluronic acid (attracts and holds many times it's weight in water) and/or other moisture-attracting ingredients. Then I'd seal it with a moisturizer at night especially.

I use the same M2 products on my chest and neck as on my face and apply them in the same way. I've seen improvement all over but it does seem that my chest in particular is a little slower to respond. I might ramp up my treatment there with a serum.

I bet there will be others chiming in on this topic and I can't wait to hear what suggestions they have!

[makinalist]

As far as those creases are concerned, don't forget about the Chest Pillow!  Maybe you could sleep with a pair of socks balled up and stuffed in your (sleeping) bra.  The idea, especially if you're a side sleeper, is to keep the creases from forming while you sleep.

http://thetimelessbeauty.com/skincare-over-40/chest-pillow/

I always use any exfoliators, moisturizers, and other treatments for my face on down my neck and chest areas.  If anything, they need more help than my face does.  Of course, some of the problem is sun damage from our tanning days, so sunscreen in this area is an absolute must now.

Your Tretinoin cream would most likely improve the creases some, as would glycolic peels or microdermabrasion.  For a more expensive solution, you could have the area lasered.  If you can see a dermatologist, you could find out what your options are.

[makinalist]

Hey - I was just thinking about this problem and something occurred to me...don't you use the PTR Peel Pads?  Have you tried using them on your chest area?  You would need to be careful since the skin there may be more sensitive.

[cara4art]

Lucky so far, at the age of 64 - no chest creases - yet anyway. I'm sure any day something's going to show up though, at this stage of the game. A few little sunspots are there, as I have tanned in the past. If it weren't for those, my chest area would be OK. I guess the skin is holding up well there so far - I say that so it doesn't sound like I'm bragging too much. Having only moderate cleavage at this stage of life also helps as there's not so much squeezing things together - this is just a theory, so take it FWIW. I do drag down my moisturizer and sunblock down to the decollete which helps, plus the coconut oil that I use for a body cream is helpful as well. A lot of it I think is keeping the area hydrated. Styyna's right about the skin being thinner thereby being more sensitive, although I'm sure there are specialized products for the chest that take that into account. After all weren't there "bust creams" awhile back? I kind of lost track.
Moral of the story, don't forget things below the neck, even if one can't be aggressive!

[Cougar]

I read that our decollete lacks the oil in the same way our eyes do.  I read that them thar French ladies make sure to treat their neck/chest the same way they treat their faces, skincare-wise. Hence, I began moisturizing and applying serum to the area.  I supposed only time will tell if this helps.  I DO add a little powder and bronzing (or blush) ... very little, just to help there not be such a striking contrast with face and decollete which seems to help remove focus from below my face.

[ILuvLucy]

After reading all your advice, I was thinking how I wish I'd been more careful in treating my chest area throughout my life, and I'm going to spread that idea to the young ladies in my family.  Prevention is they key!
Styyna, I think I just might have something laying around with HA in it, I'll have a look today.  Or else I think it's time to place an order somewhere.  I'm out of my PTR pads too. 

I remember our conversations about the Sleep Pillow, ML.  I don't know how well I'd sleep though! I"m trying to stay on my back - but who knows what happens in the night? LOL  And yes, I do use the PTR pads ( have to order more as I mentioned).  I have swiped it on my chest area in the past.

I'm going to try the tretinoin a few times a week, and possibly a serum.  Does anyone know if I should use a serum/cream on top of the tretinoin?     

All in all, there's probably no turning back the lock, right?    I'm going to be more diligent in caring for my neck/chest area starting now though.

[Styyna]

I'm going to try the tretinoin a few times a week, and possibly a serum.  Does anyone know if I should use a serum/cream on top of the tretinoin?     

IIRC, other products can be used in conjunction with tretinoin but timing is everything. I think I'd wait at least 15 minutes, and probably longer, after applying the tretinoin before adding a serum or cream and then I'd be very careful about what I added. You don't want to irritate your skin. I hope others have more experience and better advice than I. Just, please be careful about mixing potential irritants on that delicate skin.

[makinalist]

Of course, we must remember that she is younger than many of us (younger than me, anyway) and she has already told us that she is Superwoman with Skin of Steel.  I still want her to be cautious, though, because all that can change in the blink of an eye.

[ILuvLucy]

Dear Styyna & Listy - I will be careful and I will be cautious.   

[Angelcat47]

I still use Stridex pads once a day for my acne and I always run those over my neck and chest.I really think the exfoliation has helped a bit with sunspots and evening out the skin in general.I sometimes remember to extend facial products to my neck and chest,but I always hydrate there with my body lotion after showering.Oh,and I apply anything in that area with upward strokes.A SA at an EL counter told me that when I was 16 and I'm pretty sure that's why my neck looks pretty damn good,if I say so myself!!

[anne]

ILuvLucy,

are you using BC?  If yes, that is something you could use on your decolllete, too.

I would imagine you could try retinol there, too. Also, didn´t someone (Tupelo?) tell us she used mandelic acid there?

[Marielle]

I don't have any chest creases yet, but this thread made me realise I need to do something to prevent them. I have never worn a bra to bed before, but lately I've been quite uncomfortable sleeping without one. So my question to you ladies is: do you have a special sleeping bra or just any one you find in the drawer?

It's so nice to be here on this forum.. you ladies are so helpful!

[makinalist]

I would think one of those styles called leisure bras would work.  Something soft and not highly constructed, like the Ahh Bra by Rhonda Shear or the Genie Bra.  I have not started doing this, but if I do I will be looking at one of these.

[Swest]

I do not wear a bra to bed. Well, lately its not unusual for me to fall asleep with one on, but not on purpose! *No really, I m just going to rest my eyes for five minutes...zzzzzzzzzzzz*

and before you know it, its the middle of the night

I do have a couple of  genie bras for when I want light support. I do not know if it will help with creases though.

[Tupelo]

I do have a couple of  genie bras for when I want light support. I do not know if it will help with creases though.

I don't wear a bra to bed, either.

I think the chest creasing mostly applies to women with large breasts (breasts heavy enough to create folds on the chest when side sleeping?). I'm a 36C now, but was a 36D while on HRT and I did get them. Baltic Collagen prevented them. As a 36D, I woke up without them when applying BC to my chest nightly.

I think it works on the chest the same as it works on the face. It plumps up and firms the skin, and the skin over the breast bone (which becomes quite thin as we age) benefits. I wake up with no pillow creases on my face, either.

I would imagine you could try retinol there, too. Also, didn´t someone (Tupelo?) tell us she used mandelic acid there?

I used mandelic acid for brown spots on my chest. Worked like a charm.