While you’ve been slathering anti-aging creams and sunscreen on your face to help stave off lines, your hands and neck may be telling a different story altogether. In fact, most people can guess your true age just by looking at your hands. Clues also show up in the neck region where blotchy and sagging skin stands in stark contrast to a smooth and well-cared for complexion.

So what do you do? Just don’t stock up on turtlenecks or pants with deep pockets quite yet. Although there may not be a quick fix available for your dilemma, you can get a more youthful look and a smooth, supple feel by giving your hands and neck some much-deserved attention. You hands are probably what people look at after your face when they are asked to guess your age. Just know that when you care for your body, your driver’s license may be the only thing that will hold the real information.

As the years add up, your skin often produces more pigment. This clusters unevenly in dark patches. For this, dab on some hydroquinone. This is able to block the enzymes needed to make melanin. As the surface cells slough off, new, non-pigmented cells replace them. The sun also causes loose skin which is exacerbated by the loss of fat in the hands. Although you can’t significantly plum them with topical treatments, you can use AHA peels and retinols to exfoliate the skin. Just make sure that you use some sunscreen to protect your hands because the peel and retinoid make the skin more sensitive. But even if the combinations of good genes and sun smarts have saved your hands, the dry look may still be ticking on the years. Always remember to exfoliate and hydrate. Also make sure to purchase brands most trusted by the dermatologists.

Unlike the age spots on hands, sun-induced pigmentation on the neck tends to be more widespread and mottled with red and brown pigments. Opt for lightening agents to slather over the entire area. And instead of developing wrinkles, necks just loosen like a deflated balloon. Increasing collagen and improving texture may also be helpful. Just remember that the skin on your neck is a tad more sensitive. What you can do is apply strong retinoids only once a week and gradually build the frequency so your skin can tolerate it more.

Loose skin is one of the most difficult to correct without the help of surgery. There’s no instant cure in a bottle available anywhere out in the market. If you see skin products that promise to give you a firmer neck, know that this is simply an empty promise. To tone the skin below your face, you need a combination of efforts. Make an effort to do daily facial massage and choose the moisturizers that you put on them. They key attitude here is patience. Just make your efforts a daily habit and you’ll see in a few months time that the effort has actually paid off.