Our wardrobe choices are very much informed by the climates we live in—and out here in the tropics, it’s natural to spot the locals gravitating towards more skin-baring options. This may include spaghetti straps, slinky mini dresses and a ton of tube tops, all to keep it light and airy. But what do all these share in common? The tendency to leave your décolletage bare and exposed.
When people think of skincare, the décolletage—referring to the area neck-down up till the breasts—tends to be easily overlooked. But these areas, that also includes your shoulders and collarbone region, are actually highly susceptible to harmful, external conditions. Think UV rays especially, which applies if you’re opting to go sleeveless in a bid to beat the relentless heat. And even without it, things like clothing fabrics or body soap also prove to be unlikely irritants, according to Dr Toby Hui of Freia Medical. It is hence at risk of the onset of all the potential skin problems, from hyperpigmentation and sun spots to wrinkles and sagging skin. Yet it’s not as well looked after as our prized countenances.
But as with all things related to our precious bodies, a little knowledge and some conscientious effort will go a long way in ensuring we’re taking better care of ourselves. So we sought out the expert knowledge of the team at Freia Aesthetics—here’s the lowdown on everything related to décolletage care, to better aid in cultivating those important skincare habits for yourself.
Where exactly is considered your décolletage?
The décolletage is a French word that comes from a verb meaning “expose the neck” and is normally interpreted to include the area between your breasts, upward to your neck. It can include part of the shoulders, cleavage, and collarbone regions.
How should we care for our décolletage and can we use the same products that we would use for our faces?
Your first line of defence is to remember that it’s there, and that your beautiful, visible skin doesn’t stop at your neck and the bra line. Treat the décolletage as you would treat your face and neck. Cleanse carefully and moisturise regularly, and don’t forget your sunscreen. Your dedicated face and neck creams work equally well over here.
What sort of risks are our décolletage exposed to?
The décolletage is exposed to sun, soap, scratchy fabrics, and a lack of attention. It is therefore susceptible to all the skin woes caused by photo-damage of harmful UV irradiation. Colour changes, sunspots, skin tags, crinkles, deep wrinkles, and sagging can happen if proper care is not instituted early enough in life.
How can we better treat and care for our décolletage?
Taking good care of our décolletage should be a daily event—incorporated into one’s skincare routine. The same principles of exfoliation, stimulation, hydration, nourishment and protection all apply in the same way our miens benefit from a thoughtful skincare routine. Of course, there are possible treatments that can be implemented, depending on your personal needs—just like how one might go for a targetted facial.
Potential treatments include specific neck and décolletage treatments designed to maintain the suppleness and firmness of décolletage, chemical peels to exfoliate and improve skin quality, different types of ablative and non-ablative lasers for skin tags, seborrheic keratoses or hyperpigmentation, ultrasound treatments for wrinkles or sagging skin and Profhilio injections for improved hydration and keeping the décolletage supple.
Following the same principles of exfoliation, hydration, nourishment and protection, Serene Seah, founder-director of Freia, gives her personal recommendations on the products that can be incorporated into our skincare regimens should we be looking to take better care of our décolletage.
1 / 4
Exfoliate: Ayuna The Facial
This is a great option for the face and décolletage area, as it helps to remove dead cells and promotes cell renewal. Exfoliation is key to prepping skin, in order to absorb all the goodness that follows when you’re nourishing your skin with richer creams.
Ayuna The Facial, $145 for 200ml, available at Freia.
2 / 4
Hydrate: Exquisite Neck and Décolleté Renewing Mask
It’s so important to include the neck and décolletage when we mask. Exquisite’s Neck and Décolleté Renewing Mask is also an excellent choice for intense nourishment and hydration—that works to restore suppleness to the skin.
Exquisite Neck and Décolleté Renewing Mask, $153, available at Freia.
3 / 4
Nourish: Future Lemuria Phytomarine Body Cream
Intensely hydrate and moisturise the décolletage with Future’s Lemuria Phytomarine Body Cream. This rich cream is packed with high concentrations of Lemuria algae—which has immense restorative and healing properties, whilst feeling weightless on your skin. It’s no wonder celebrities like Elizabeth Olsen and Molly Sims have specifically raved about this particular body cream.
If you find it too cumbersome to use a different cream than the one you’re using for the face, it would be good to apply any excess serums or creams from the face for the décolletage. Word of the wise though? Your décolletage is more susceptible or exposed to sun damage, so we maintain that it would still be better to load up on a richer cream here.
Future Lemuria Phytomarine Body Cream, $173 for 150ml, available at Freia.
4 / 4
Protect: Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection SPF79+
Never forget to apply a broad spectrum SPF. It’s no fun having a well-protected face but a neglected neck and décolletage. When applying sunscreen, use at least two fingers worth for the face and one to two fingers for the neck and décolletage area, depending on how much of the area is exposed. With sunscreen, the rule of ‘more is more’ applies.
Crystal Tomato Beyond Sun Protection SPF79+, $83 for 50ml, available at Freia.
