Tech neck lines in the 20s? Dermatologist decodes why signs of ageing appear early
The skin on the neck is thinner, produces less oil, and has fewer structural supports than facial skin. It's also one of the most neglected areas in everyday skincare routines. While people diligently moisturise and apply sunscreen to their face, the neck is often left out.
New Delhi: For many of my younger patients, the first skin concern they notice isn’t acne or pigmentation. It’s lines—horizontal creases running across the neck, sometimes faint, sometimes surprisingly deep. And the most common reaction dermatologists hear is, "Isn’t this too early for wrinkles?” Dr Ravali Yalamanchili, Sr. Consultant- Dermatology, Arete Hospitals,
In reality, these lines have very little to do with ageing. What we are seeing is a modern phenomenon: tech neck lines, appearing in people as young as their early twenties. If masking highlighted the lower half of the face, prolonged screen use has quietly shifted attention to the neck—and the skin is responding.
Why is the neck ageing faster than the face?id The skin on the neck is thinner, produces less oil, and has fewer structural supports than facial skin. It’s also one of the most neglected areas in everyday skincare routines. While people diligently moisturise and apply sunscreen to their face, the neck is often left out. Add to this hours of downward gaze—on phones, laptops, tablets—and the skin begins to fold repeatedly along the same lines. Over time, these temporary creases become permanent.
What exactly is ‘tech neck’?
Tech neck refers to horizontal lines, creases, and textural changes that develop due to prolonged forward bending of the neck while using digital devices. This posture:
- Compresses the skin repeatedly in the same areas
- Reduces blood circulation over time
- Encourages collagen breakdown due to constant folding
- Leads to early fine lines and deeper grooves
- Unlike expression lines on the face, neck lines are largely postural.
Why is it showing up earlier than expected
Earlier generations developed neck lines later in life. Today’s young adults are spending several hours a day looking down—often from their teens. Factors accelerating this include:
- Smartphone use starting at a younger age
- Long hours of laptop-based work or study
- Poor ergonomic habits
- Reduced physical movement during screen time
The skin is remarkably adaptive, but it also remembers repeated stress.
Masking and the shift in focus
During the pandemic, masks brought intense focus to the eyes and upper face. Now, as masks have faded, people are noticing areas that were previously ignored—especially the neck. Many patients tell me they never realised their neck looked "older” than their face until they started paying attention again. The contrast can be startling.
Can tech neck lines be reversed?
Early lines are often more responsive than people think. For mild to moderate changes:
- Regular moisturising of the neck is essential
- Sunscreen should always extend below the jawline
- Retinoid-based products can help improve texture over time
- Conscious posture correction makes a visible difference
More established lines may require in-clinic treatments such as peels, microneedling, or collagen-stimulating procedures, depending on skin type and severity. Protecting the skin on the neck comes down to small, everyday habits. Lifting the phone closer to eye level rather than bending the head, pausing to reset posture during long screen hours, gently stretching the neck and shoulders, and extending skincare products beyond the jawline all add up over time. These changes may seem subtle, but together they make a visible difference.
A visible reminder of how we live
Tech neck lines are not a sign of premature ageing—they are a reflection of modern behaviour. The skin, especially on the neck, responds honestly to how we move, sit, and spend our time. Masking may have been Act 1 in how the pandemic changed our relationship with our faces. Tech neck is Act 2—a quieter, slower change, but one that’s already leaving its mark. And the good news? The earlier we notice it, the more power we have to change the story.