Have you also heard someone say that perfumes can cause neck wrinkles? However, something doesn’t sit right in your mind. Well, a few days back, I was telling an old classmate about my perfume blog. I told her about my craze for scents and how we review different scents at Opposite Attracts. That’s when she told me about this crazy mythical relationship between perfume and neck wrinkles.
At first, I stood still in disbelief. However, I later thought to research on this and write a blog post debunking this myth forever.
What Causes Neck Wrinkles?
The fine lines and creases on your neck occur due to a combination of factors-the first and foremost being your body’s natural aging process. As we grow older, the collagen and elastin levels in our skin drop. These two proteins are integral for skin elasticity. Hence, their deprivation leads to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on your body.
Additionally, sun exposure can substantially contribute to skin aging and wrinkles as it accelerates collagen breakdown. Apart from these two primary factors, an individual’s genetics and lifestyle activities (smoking and diet).
According to a 2013 research published by the National Library of Medicine in the USA, dehydrated skin shows significantly higher levels of wrinkles compared to hydrated ones.
The Composition of a Perfume
Knowing perfume composition also helps you understand whether or not this myth is correct. Perfumes are mixtures of aromatic oils, alcohol, and fixatives. The alcohol in perfumes is a dehydrating agent.
As indicated by the study mentioned earlier, dehydration can result in the appearance of more wrinkles. However, the alcohol concentration in perfumes is quite low. Hence, occasional applications should not cause any trouble. However, excessively repetitive applications may be a cause for concern. To understand perfume compositions better, read our article on EDT, EDP, and EDC: A Game of Concentrations.
So, can perfumes cause neck wrinkles? Let’s find out.
Myth Debunked: Perfumes and Neck Wrinkles
According to scientific research, there is no direct evidence indicating any relationship between perfume and neck wrinkles. However, researches prove that dehydrated skin ages quicker. This factor is often taken too seriously when it comes to perfume application. Perfumes contain very low levels of alcohol that alone cant cause neck wrinkles.
Hence, this is mostly a myth. People believe in it as they confuse perfume usage with other genuine factors that can lead to wrinkles like aging, lifestyle, and sun exposure. It might be due to skin allergies from perfume-something that varies from person to person. But, to be on the safe side, avoid using perfume on your neck. Read our article on how to use perfume the right way to get a better idea.
How to Use Perfume Safely?
For a safe and happy perfuming experience, the tips below would be greatly helpful.
- Do a Patch Test: If you have a history of allergies from perfumes in the past, spray some on a small section of the skin first. If the scent suits you, then continue its use.
- Hydrate Your Skin: Hydrate your skin before perfume application and several hours after it. Keeping skin hydrated helps prevent the appearance of fine lines.
- Apply Moderately: Don’t use perfume like you won’t get a chance to apply it again in your life. Excessive application can irritate your skin. If not, then it can overwhelm others around you.
- Proper Storage: Store perfumes appropriately to sustain their quality and longevity. Avoid extreme temperatures and direct sunlight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, is it okay to perfume your neck? Yes. However, still, spray it on surrounding pulse points instead. But, overall, the myth that perfume causes neck wrinkles lacks scientific support. If you are getting neck wrinkles, it must be due to some other factor. Improve your lifestyle habits, have safe exposure to the skin, and avoid repetitive facial movements. Plus, understand your skin’s sensitivity to cosmetic products. It is an important tip to keep your skin safe and healthy.
For an in-depth guide on how to prevent wrinkles, check out what Healthline has to say. Also, do let us know about more such myths in the comments.
