7 Strategies for a Younger Looking Neck

Preserving the appearance of a long, graceful column isn't only about vanity. Like other anti-aging ploys, some of the effort you put into keeping your neck as youthful as possible will also help you stay well and fit in general. That's a win-win if there ever was one!

Here are proven ways to promote a slim and sleek neckline - plus some trompe l'oeil tricks!

Treat Your Neck As Well As You Treat Your Face When you apply moisturizer to your face, don't forget your neck. Use gentle upward strokes to avoid creating sagging skin. The same technique works for putting on foundation and sunscreen. Before bed, remove make-up and the day's grime with a good cleanser. Choose the softest tissues you can find and again, swipe from the base of your neck up to your chin. Tip: Products containing witch hazel not only lubricate but also act as mild astringents for a more taut impression. Pond's, the drugstore favorite for generations, is a good and affordable choice.

Practice Good Posture Slouching over your computer is guaranteed to encourage the dreaded turkey wattles! Make certain you sit up straight and walk tall. The old reliable trick of practicing walking while balancing a book on your head really does teach you how to stop slumping.

Exercise for a Swanlike Image A simple and effective stretch to keep your neck almost wrinkle-free is to raise your chin as far up as possible and count to ten. Then relax and repeat several times. This is also an effective stress reliever in the middle of the work day. Another good method for achieving a supple and firm neck is to borrow a move from jazz dancers: the head roll. Lower your chin and then circle your head all the way around to the right. Repeat to left. Then repeat the sequence five times.

Wear Scarves to Ward Off Weather Damage As summer wanes, don't let your guard down when it comes to shielding your neck from the sun's rays. In addition to sunscreen, tie on a pretty scarf. Then after the nip of fall is in the air, switch from gauzy fabrics to a wool blend for warmth as well as defense against the ravages of chilly winds.

Avoid Yo-Yo Dieting One of the first places fat accumulates is as a double chin and that's also where it disappears first. If you gain and lose weight only to gain and lose again, you'll be stretching your skin and then leaving it loose. Not a good plan! Now you have one more reason for consistently healthy eating.

Sleep Slightly Propped Up If you lie flat on your back, your chin will be pushed toward your chest. This position will undo all the beneficial effects of the stretching you did during the day. Be careful, though, to place pillows not only under your head put also under your shoulders so you get a lift that keeps you properly aligned.

Camouflage with Style! As we all know, the march of time is going to have some effect on your neck, no matter how diligent you are about taking care of it. Surgical procedures will tighten problem areas, but if you're not interested in that option, go for a little clever concealment. The scarves you wear for protection can also serve as cover-ups. And of course turtlenecks work wonders. In the evening, though, why not go glam with a gorgeous faux pearl choker? Now hold your head high and flash a fabulous smile!