Is Your Smartphone Aging You? How To Avoid Tech Neck
Beat tech neck before it gets out of control.
Although our high tech gizmos and gadgets keep us up to speed with the latest and greatest information, constantly staring down at our smartphones can be more than straining on our necks. And not only does keeping our eyes glued to the screen cause unwanted aches and pains, but sometimes our favorite techie gadgets often cause premature aging no one wants to deal with.
Being that the delicate skin around our neck and eyes ages faster than other parts of the body, it’s more than common to see fine lines and wrinkles around these areas. However, with our smartphones causing us to look down more than we should, our neck area often can age faster than we’d like it to. To reverse this process, it’s important to adopt a solid prevention routine that will keep the lines and cracks at bay. For all your prevention and protection needs, here’s how to beat dreadful tech neck before it even starts.
What Causes It?
Whether it’s caused by natural aging or unchangeable genetics, there seems to be a variety of factors that cause turkey neck. On the other hand though, tech neck seems to be a new budding problem, especially since the continuous bending of the neck, allows lines and creases to appear above the collarbone. And sure we’d like to think that sagging jowls happens to us at a much later date, but many dermatologists are now warning that skin concerns like these are plaguing much younger generations too.
“2015 easily has become the Year of the Nawline" (neck + jawline),”explains dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Dr. Doris Day. “And being that tech neck is making neck treatments one of the most sought after areas to resolve this year, there are more noninvasive options than ever for fixing the neck's fatty, sagging skin.”
Modern Procedures
Although alleviating tech neck seems hopeless, many modern and noninvasive surgical procedures are allowing women to easily tighten sagging skin around the neck. And unlike the procedures of the past, many of today’s procedures are don’t require more than a few treatments for best results.
“I use a lot of Thermage CPT Radiofrequency to tighten the neck as it requires one treatment,” explains Dr. Debra Jaliman, expert dermatologist and author of Skin Rules. With this treatment, there is instant tightening and then gradually over the next six months the neck tightens even more.”
Ultherapy also makes another viable in office treatment, as it helps boost the skin’s natural collagen levels, while lifting wrinkles and fine lines in the process.
“Ultherapy uses ultrasound energy to heat targeted tissue under the surface of the skin,” adds Dr. Doris Day. “It’s a non-invasive treatment that triggers the natural production of collagen, and is used to lift and tighten loose skin and improve wrinkles.”
And for more traditional forms of wrinkle prevention, Botox can definitely come to your aid, as it helps tighten up the sagging skin without a doubt.
“Botox has been a trusted treatment for years – as it helps reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as preventing new lines from forming,” explains Dr. Day. “For tech neck, I suggest using Botox in the chin to tighten the jawline area.”
For At Home Prevention
And if you are looking to upgrade your prevention game up to speed at home, there are solutions to keep your neck from creasing and sagging effectively. Most experts recommend to start with sunscreen, as it keeps your skin free from aging caused by the elements.
"When it comes to tech neck, there's nothing more preventative you can do than apply sunscreen on your face,neck and chest every single day,” suggests Dr. Day.
Aside from sunscreen, skincare enhancers like retinol, Vitamin C and glycolic acid also prove to be extra helpful, as they keep skin firm and rejuvenated.
“I also recommend to my patients to use topical treatments at home,” adds Dr. Jaliman. “Retinol, growth factors, topical Vitamin C and glycolic acid seem to be the most helpful.”
Need some immediate firming neck action? Picking up some tightening creams are a great way to keep your skin hydrated and tight.
For more manageable skin around your neck and decollete areas, trust the Tarte Maracjua Neck Treatment ($49) to promotes skin cell regeneration while keeping your skin extra smooth.
To keep skin elasticity at top form, the light yet nourishing philosophy full of promise Tightening and Firming Neck Cream ($65) also brings refreshment to your skin, as a special protein recycling complex leaves skin ultra resistant to pesky sagging and wrinkles.
And for an anti-aging treatment that targets crepey skin in a flash, the Murad Rejuvenating Lift For Neck And Decollete ($55) works overtime to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and creases.
Although constantly looking down at our devices will probably never change, you can take preventative measures to keep your fine lines and wrinkles under control. Whether you prefer in office treatments or at home creams, there are definitely options you can consider. Want more skincare tips and tricks? Here’s 51 Luminous Skin Looks To Try.
