Have you ever looked in the mirror and wondered why the skin on your neck is beginning to sag while the skin on your face looks plump, smooth and firm? Well, there is a pretty straightforward reason for this. The skin on your neck is different from the skin on your face, and the two change at different rates as you get older.

Change is inevitable as you age, especially when it comes to the appearance of your skin. Usually, youll be able to see signs of aging on your neck and face first, and while your smile lines and 11 lines are signs of lots of laughs and happy moments, the distinctive change isnt always a welcomed sight.

So, why does the skin on your neck seem to age faster than your face? We spoke with experts to understand the difference between the skin on your neck and face, what causes skin to sag, and potential treatment options.

The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face.

The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face, which is why you may experience a loss of elasticity on your neck. Your neck has a different vascular and neural distribution and it is generally less protected than the face, explained Dr. Doris Day , board-certified dermatologist.

The skin on your neck also has fewer oil glands and less support from underlying muscles, which can contribute to quicker sagging, said Dr. Ramtin Kassir , triple board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Additionally, the neck is often more exposed to the sun and environmental damage, accelerating aging and loss of elasticity.

Because of sun exposure, not applying enough sunscreen, and repetitive motion and bending of your neck, its common for people in their mid to later 30s to begin noticing sagging on their neck. Which is why I tell all my younger patients that nothing looks more beautiful in your 50s than sun protection in your 20s, Day added.

Neck sagging can start to show up as early as your late 20s to early 30s, though our experts say its more commonly noticed in your 40s and 50s. This happens as part of the natural aging process, which leads to a decrease in collagen and elastin production over time, dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick said. As these proteins diminish, the skin loses its firmness and elasticity, which results in sagging.