Take care of your neck

Some of the basic problems of the neck can be sorted out by a massage, beauty
aids and regular exercise, says Rukmini Vasudeva

LET us face the facts. We are always worried about acne, pimples, rashes and pigmentation on our faces, arms and legs. But comparatively, we pay only little attention to the condition and problems of our neck. This apathy has its own perils. You forget that when you move in society, irrespective of your fashionable couture, the first gaze the public bestows on you is on your neck. If you are wearing jewellery, then the neck is always the first in the list of items. We should take care.

Fashion therapists opine that one main cause of wrinkles and discoloration in the neck is due to the fact that the fairer sex is not paying attention to the neck as compared to that of the face. In fact in the case of many otherwise fashionable well-dressed women, the face colour does not match that of the neck, leading to the joke that a lady’s age can be found out by observing her neck.

It is true that some of the basic problems of the neck can be sorted out by a massage, beauty aids and regular exercise. But the ultimate test is that you must aspire for a glowing and well-defined neck, that is proportionate to you body. It is not difficult.

The first step is to ensure that like the face and our hands, a regular programme of cleaning is directed towards the neck. In fact our grandmothers paid more attention to their necks than their grandchildren, and our kitchen has so many of the home remedies. The favourite remedies were a mixture of turmeric powder, gram flour, unboiled milk and black gram, with its equally well-supported competitor of a paste of barley flour, drops of limejuice and unboiled milk. Some prefer a paste of gram flour, few rose petals, a little sandalwood powder and body cream for a good smell. Or you can make a mixture of curd and gram flour (1:2). But the emphasis is that cleaning the neck regularly and thoroughly is as important as the attention paid to the face.

Radhika Kunde, beautician of Super Salon in Mumbai, advises that while washing your face, you should rub the neck with towel saturated with warm water as, on a daily basis, more dirt settles on your neck than the face. Kunde advises applying cleansing milk around the neck at least once a week, to give it a shiny and beautiful look.

For a better effect, make a mixture of the lotion of glycerin, water and some drops of limejuice and keep it in a small bottle. Make it a point to apply the lotion to your neck before going to bed and have it washed off in the morning. This can be equally effectively done by applying unboiled milk mixed with a pinch of salt, applied to the neck area twice a day and subsequent washing.

Many fashonistas bleach their necks twice a month, by putting a spoon of hydrogen peroxide in two spoonfuls of bleaching powder and adding ammonia, for application around the neck. You can wash it off after 15 minutes and then massage the area with cold cream. But ensure that you are not allergic to this mixture by putting a dab of this on your neck. If you get a burning sensation, this method of bleaching is not for you.

Massage is another factor that can remove wrinkles in the neck skin, and it would be advisable to massage the neck before the bath everyday. Conventionally, one uses lukewarm olive oil, but beauticians say that take your pick from papaya pulp, egg white mixed in limejuice, mashed cucumber and even potato juice.

If your neck is short, tie your hair towards the top of your head. Apply the same foundation on the neck as you apply on the face so that there is harmony in the skin tone of the two regions. Also, do not wear a high-neck blouse unless you have a long, slender neck. A V-shaped or a low neck adds definition to your features.

The neck region lacks sebaceous glands and it is the first area to show signs of ageing. A dark pallor with white patches is a common problem on the neck area. This is due to sheer negligence. One of the reasons why the neck gets tanned easily or looks darker is because of oxidation. Moist skin gets oxidised on exposure to sunlight. Therefore, wipe the neck thoroughly after a face wash or bath.

Dark lines may form when jewellery worn along the neck touches the skin persistently. Using a wrong soap like the one with sulphur can cause the skin to darken. Apart from external factors, deficiency of Vitamin B can result in the formation of white patches on the neck.

A generous helping of fruits, a balanced diet along with proper skin care can rid you of these problems. Make sure your regular facial or makeup also includes the neck. Use a sunscreen with SPF 35 on the neck to avoid the tan. Under the guidance of a physiotherapist, do a few neck rotation exercises to tone the area. — MF

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