I'm A Holistic Plastic Surgeon—Consider These 3 Treatments For Crepey Neck Skin

Anthony Youn, M.D., may be a board-certified plastic surgeon, but his goal is to ultimately keep patients out of the operating room.

That’s not to say he outright refuses to ever perform surgery—he just prefers to exhaust all lifestyle interventions before recommending someone go under the knife (that’s why he adds “holistic” to his plastic surgeon title).

Long-term skin longevity habits will always trump quick fixes, he believes, and we would certainly agree with that modus operandi.

So, when it comes to treating crepey skin, Youn has a few tips to consider before resorting to more invasive methods. Find his must-have advice ahead.

Collagen loss is one of the main culprits for crepey skin, as the critical protein compound is what helps the skin appear taut and plump.

As your natural levels decline with time, you may start to see your skin “crinkle” and turn more fragile. 

That’s why Youn is quick to sing the praises of collagen supplements for skin health: “Studies show that taking a daily hydrolyzed collagen supplement can thicken the collagen in your skin,1” he notes in a recent TikTok video.

Why do we bring this up? Well, lack of moisture only exacerbates a crepey skin appearance, which is why experts advise prioritizing internal and external hydration. 

Now, Youn’s hydrolyzed distinction is important, as hydrolyzed collagen peptides are absorbed more easily4 by your bloodstream and body than normal-sized collagen molecules. Make sure you choose the right formula for your skin goals—we did the legwork for you with this curated list of collagen powders. 

“Retinol or prescription-strength Tretinoin has been shown to thicken the dermis, or the deeper layer of the skin,” says Youn. Specifically, retinol can increase collagen production in the skin5, thereby reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and crepiness.

Of course, retinol isn’t for everyone, and it can cause irritation on more sensitive areas like the neck and chest. In that case, “You can also try applying bakuchiol and hyaluronic acid serums or creams to your skin,” Youn suggests. “Bakuchiol works similarly to retinol to thicken the skin, and hyaluronic acid powerfully hydrates the skin and reduces crepiness.” 

If you have the means, Youn recommends considering in-office treatments like Morheus8 or fractional lasers.

The former procedure involves microneedling, where a device inserts tiny sterilized needles into the skin to encourage healing and spark collagen production, along with radiofrequency to speed up healing and further stimulate collagen; the latter involves removing upper layers of your skin with special lasers and replacing it with healthy tissue. 

Both, as you can imagine, require some level of pain tolerance and downtime. But if you’ve tried the above methods and still find your crepey skin persists, it can’t hurt to assess your professional-grade options. Of course, you should make sure to seek out a professional you trust and opt for a consultation before diving right into the treatment. 

The takeaway 

“If you do these things consistently, you should see your crepey skin improve within just a few months,” Youn declares. Ultimately, everyone’s skin may respond differently to various treatments, so keep an eye on what works best for your complexion.

Here, you can find even more targeted tips for crepey, fragile skin, including the best products to splurge on.