From fine lines to crow’s feet, many of us spend much time thinking about the visible signs of aging… but how much thought have you given to the wrinkles on your chest?
Cleavage wrinkles – or ‘clinkles’ – are typically caused when one breast falls against the other when you sleep.
To make matters worse, the ‘clinkles’ deepen with age – as collagen breaks down – and exposure to the sun can make them more visible, as it causes the skin to lose its elasticity and bounce.
‘Clinkles’ or cleavage wrinkles are more likely to appear as a woman ages and collagen breaks down. Here, an expert reveals ways we can all reduce the appearance of lines on the chest
Dr Bashar Bizrah, founder of the Beyond Med Centre aesthetic and plastic surgery clinic in Kensington, London, explained: ‘It’s all down to the production of collagen and elastin – which is the “scaffolding” of your skin, giving it bounce and glow.
‘The bad news is that as we age, we produce less of the skin’s building blocks, and lifestyle factors can also make production worse – such as sun exposure, smoking or stress.’
He recently began offering Profhilo – an injectable hyaluronic acid-based product for treating skin laxity – for cleavages and revealed demand has increased fivefold in the last two months, particularly prior to the summer holiday period.
For those who don’t fancy the idea of cleavage ‘Botox’, there are ways to help banish cleavage wrinkles and stop them from appearing in the first place. Here Dr Bizrah shares his top tips with FEMAIL…
Silicon pads
Silicon pads work in a similar way to boob pillows in that they’re applied to the cleavage to stop clinkles caused by aging, loose skin after weight loss or sleeping on your side
These work in a similar way to boob pillows in that they’re applied to the cleavage to stop clinkles caused by aging, loose skin after weight loss, or sleeping on your side.
And there’s clever science behind the premise, too. When the silicone is applied to the skin, it creates the perfect environment for moisture.
This unique microclimate draws moisture to the surface of the skin, where it remains, and helps hydrate the cleavage.
It’s also said to increase blood flow to the skin, boosting collagen production and helping to banish clinkles.
Sunblock and skin care
If you enjoyed the recent UK heatwave, you might also have been damaging your skin.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays increases the formation of harmful free radicals, which damage elastin fibers and contribute to wrinkling – as well as more serious conditions like skin cancer.
You should be wearing sunscreen on your cleavage, and any other exposed skin, every single day.
You can also use an antioxidant product in the morning, and a serum or cream containing retinol – aka vitamin A – in the evening. Retinol can boost the production of collagen and elastin, kicking wrinkles into the touch.
If you enjoyed the recent UK heatwave, you might also have been damaging your skin if you weren’t wearing sufficient sunblock
CBD oil
CBD, or ‘cannabidiol’, is extracted from cannabis plants but contains only trace amounts of the high-giving chemical tetrahydrocannabinol, making it perfectly legal.
And because it’s a powerful antioxidant, CBD is being billed as the perfect anti-wrinkle serum, applied topically to the chest for clinkles.
It’s again said to counteract free-radical damage while also diminishing skin dullness or red rashes.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a substance extracted from a medicinal plant, and while it’s inexpensive, it’s a natural and effective wrinkle fighter. Once again, aloe vera increases the production of collagen and elastin in the skin and is good as a preventative measure for keeping clinkles at bay.
It’s a powerful antioxidant and also helps to seal in your skin’s natural moisture so that it doesn’t evaporate away into the ether.
Profhilo injections
Towie star Lauren Goodger (pictured) had profhilo injectable fillers in December last year
Profhilo is a form of injectable filler which surged in popularity two years ago. It’s typically injected into the face, where it boosts the skin’s internal scaffolding.
But Dr Bashar Bizrah, founder of the Beyond Med Centre, says Profilo treatments – starting from around £200 – work wonders for the boobs too.
‘Profhilo is classed as a filler, but it doesn’t work in the same way as other fillers on the market,’ he says.
‘It’s not volumizing in any way, but it works to iron out fine lines and add a boost of hydration to tired-looking skin.
‘It’s particularly effective for women in their thirties and beyond, who might want to make their cleavage look more youthful.’
Towie star Lauren Goodger underwent profhilo injections in December last year.
The vampire treatment
A growing number of women are injecting their own blood back into their chests to make their cleavages look years younger.
And it’s all down to a substance called ‘Platelet Rich Plasma Treatment’, or ‘PRP’.
The ‘biotherapy’ technique involves injections into the cleavage of a concentrated solution derived from your own blood, which then encourages the skin to regenerate.
It’s a technique with lots of cosmetic applications, from vampire ‘face lifts’ to even combating hair loss. A course of three treatments typically costs around £1,500.
Hydration
If you want to keep wrinkles at bay, you need to be keeping yourself well hydrated – which is no easy task considering the recent sweltering temperatures Britain has been exposed to.
Water works to keep your skin moisturized from the inside out, and common wisdom says you should aim to drink around eight cups of water per day.
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Undergo anti-wrinkles injections treatment is a popular cosmetic procedure that can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face. The treatment involves injecting a neurotoxin into the muscles, which temporarily relaxes them and smooths out the skin.
While the results are not permanent, many people find that undergoing anti-wrinkle injections treatment can help them feel more confident and refreshed in their appearance.
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