‘Tech Neck’ and how technology is impacting your skin
Photo via ChesiireCat/Getty Images
There’s no denying that smartphones have done wonders for our lives. But there are a few drawbacks, besides being huge contributors to procrastination. Maybe your fingers start to get tired from scrolling or your stomach a bit nauseous from all that screen time, but what about your neck? Sure, it can get a bit sore – but have you given thought to all that skin? Dermatologists have, and they call it “tech neck,” a term given to the ever-deepening crease above your clavicle and another one to add to your constantly-increasing skin vocabulary.
A British study conducted earlier this year found that most people between the ages of 18 and 39 look down at their laptop, phone, or tablet 150 times a day. And while all this screen time is distracting, it can also be detrimental.
“The neck takes a lot of wear and tear,” says Dr. Paul Cohen, a Toronto-based dermatologist at the Rosedale Dermatology Centre. Because people aren’t as diligent with sunscreen and skincare on the neck, he adds, it tends to age more quickly. What’s more, “with all these gadgets, it increases the neck wrinkle,” he explains.
Besides making sure to extend SPF 30 (or 50) beyond the chin, there are a few other products Cohen recommends for a better looking neck. Look for creams and serums with glycolic and hyaluronic acid, he says, the former being a collagen regenerator, the latter, an effective moisturizer and skin plumper. Skin care brands, like Talika and Eminence, have also taken note of the neck, creating sheet masks and creams for the delicate and oft-neglected area.
If cosmetic procedures are your desired route, lasers are the most common choice, but Cohen says he is most excited about Belkyra, a new deoxycholic acid injectable aimed at eliminating a double chin, but also effective at firming up the neck skin.
Another key part in maintaining a smooth neck – hydration. This may seem obvious for any skin ailment or issue, but as the discs in the spine are made up mostly of water, the importance of staying hydrated is three-fold: to keep the muscles in your neck flexible, to prevent stiffness and to maintain elasticity and plumpness in the skin.
That persistent downward gaze can do more than superficial damage. It can also wreak havoc on your posture, causing long-term damage to spine alignment. To help keep your neck and back in check, Google Play has created Text Neck, an app that monitors the position of your head and neck, providing the user with real-time feedback regarding posture.
So, the next time you want to replay your SnapChat story or immerse yourself in that Kindle read on a lengthy commute, take a long sip of water and try not to hunch – your neck and back will thank you.
