Jessica Turner Smartphones have one serious disadvantage, wrinkles (aka Tech Neck).
Just when you thought you were doing to help client’s skin concerns, we can now blame 24/7 texting and web browsing for premature neck wrinkles.
Dubbed ‘tech neck’, the term refers to a specific crease just above the collar bone, caused by repeated bending of the neck to look at the screen of a portable device.
“Wrinkles, double chin and sagging of the jowls and neck normally begin in late middle age but, in the last 10 years, because of ‘tech neck’, it has become a problem for a generation of younger women,” says Paul Massa, managing director of PHYT’S.
“A young person who spends so much time looking down at a phone is going to get a wrinkly neck before it should normally happen.
“Just as smokers acquire deeper pucker lines around the mouth than non-smokers, excessive bending and flexing of the thin muscles on each side of the neck increase wear and tear.”
The skin of the neck is thin and very prone to wrinkling therefore is at higher risk for showing age than other areas of the body. And, as yet, there are no miracle exercises to prevent wrinkling of the neck so prevention is crucial.
“It’s important to try and bring your smart phone up towards your face instead of moving your neck down to look at it.
“And to maintain the elasticity of the skin, the application of skincare products should not stop at the face, but also go as far as the collar bones and décolleté area,” Paul adds.
Neck Stretches (for you and client):
- Look up: Stretch your neck back and pucker your lips. Hold for 10 seconds.
- Side-to-side: Hold your head straight then move it gently from side-to-side. Hold for 10 seconds on each side.
