Assessment of a Comprehensive Anti-Aging Neck Cream

September 2015 | Volume 14 | Issue 9 | Original Article | 997 | Copyright © September 2015


Subhash J. Saxena PhD,a Deysi Duque MS,b and Michael J. Schirripa PhDb

aJan Marini Skin Research, San Jose, CA
bBaumann Cosmetic & Research Institute, Miami FL

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: With many effective anti-aging solutions for the face, consumer focus is now turning to other parts of the body including the delicate skin on the neck. This study investigates the effect of a new neck cream on the appearance of texture, fine lines and wrinkles, laxity, and hydration.
METHODS: 85 adult females ages 35-65 with Fitzpatrick skin types I through IV applied the test neck cream twice daily for a 3-month study period. Screening was conducted at Baseline, 2, 30, 60, and 90 days via a virtual trial. Subjects rated satisfaction in each of 4 anti-aging categories including hydration, texture, appearance of wrinkles, and appearance of laxity as well as three product attributes including application, feel, and smell.
RESULTS: Improvement was statistically significant for all measured categories (hydration, texture, appearance of wrinkles, and appearance of laxity) with 94% of study subjects noting improvement in one or more of the measured categories. Further, the quantity of “Satisfied” and “Highly Satisfied” assessments increased 8-fold from baseline with a 94x increase in the quantity of “Highly Satisfied” assessments.
DISCUSSION: The results demonstrate the product’s rapid and continuing ability to improve the self-perceived signs of aging in the neck area including improvement in skin texture on the neck and a reduction in the appearance of wrinkles and laxity along the jawline. Future studies are recommended to determine the primary action mechanisms and to assess the degree of improvement by blinded physician assessment.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(9):997-1002.

INTRODUCTION

While frequently discussed and associated with aging of the face, photo-aging also affects the delicate skin of the neck yet while there are many anti-aging solutions for the face, there are few clinically proven solutions to address the range of photo-aging concerns to the neck. As such, there is significant growing media and consumer attention given to products and solutions for the neck. In the past three years there has been a significant increase in the number of devices and products indicated for or used on the neck yet there are few to no published studies on topical anti-aging solutions for this region.
Photo-aging is characterized by sagging and thinning of the skin, discoloration, fine lines, and skin fragility. Clinical signs of photo-aging are caused by loss of elastin, hyaluronic acid (HA), and collagen. Loss of elastin contributes to skin laxity (sagging skin), which, combined with aging downward pull of the platysmal muscle, results in horizontal wrinkles commonly referred to as necklace lines. Loss of collagen in skin leads to fine lines, thinness, vertical lines, fragility, and textural change. Loss of HA in skin results in decreased skin plumpness and fine lines.
While photo-aging of the neck shares many if not all of the physiologic changes associated with aging skin on the face, the neck requires several unique considerations from solutions designed for the face. Skin off the face is dryer than skin on the face where sebaceous gland density is the highest with 400-900 glands/cm2. Off face, by comparison, densities drop significantly with both smaller glands and lower densities of only 100 glands/cm2 on the extremities.1 Sebum naturally has a high content of Vitamin E and squalene. Because there are fewer sebaceous glands on the neck and other parts of the body as compared to the face, excretion of Vitamin E is 20x higher on the cheek and squalene is as much as 47X higher on the face than they are on the upper arm.2 In addition, patients report that neck skin is more sensitive with an increased likelihood of redness and itching,3 minimizing the range of ingredient options. Laxity, discoloration, and textural changes on the neck are harder to address with complimentary solutions like fillers and botulinum toxin. Finally, fat loss in the cheeks, fat deposits under the jawline, and shortening of the platysma muscle can exacerbate the appearance of laxity on an aging neck line.
The tested neck cream product contains multiple key ingredients designed to address hydration, improve texture, reduce wrinkles, and improve skin tone and elasticity for a firmer, more lifted appearance. Key ingredients in the product include Rye Seed Extract, Oat Kernel Extract, Glaucine, Aminophylline, Acetyl Decapeptide 3, Dimethylethanolamine, Oligopeptide-24,
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