Yes, we can’t live without our phones, but in an ironic twist, it’s also taking a toll on our skin.
Dermatologists report that excessive cell phone use is accelerating the age at which younger people develop problems such as sagging jaw lines and wrinkled skin around the chest, in a condition called tech neck.
Tech neck includes symptoms from neck and shoulder pain, stiffness and tingling in the arm, as well as cosmetic issues such as a sagging jawline and jowls, a double chin and a wrinkled chest area. This is due to constant stress on the neck by keeping it bent at a 45-degree angle while looking down at the phone screen, resulting in laxity and drooping muscles in the thin skin of the neck and chest.
For sagging jawlines, the best way forward is Ultherapy, a treatment using ultrasound waves to stimulate the production of collagen, which keeps skin taut and lifted. For more information or a free consultation, phone Lasermed.
Wrinkled skin can be addressed with several treatments: chemical peels, IPL, fractional laser therapy, CO2 Fractional Resurfacing, or Dermapen needling, supplemented with products containing retinols.
However, prevention is the best cure. Set a screen time limit, using apps to limit the time you spend on the phone. Hold your phone up to eye level instead of bending your neck. Get up and walk around every 15-30 minutes instead of sitting in the same position, giving your neck muscles a break.
