Skin care routine to reverse ‘tech neck’ wrinkles caused by your cell phone
A regular skin care routine is essential for healthy skin as we get older, but many people think that this is only reserved for the face. However, skin care and beauty expert Henal Somji points out that the neck is a key area that is often neglected.
Henal is a self-proclaimed “skin care enthusiast”, lifestyle blogger and co-founder of the specialist clinic for aesthetic treatment Dr Medi Spa. “The neck is an important part of the skincare routine that many people forget,” she told Express.co.uk. “Often I see women with a flawless face but a wrinkled neck.”
While including your neck in your skin care routine is one way to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, identifying the cause can help stop new ones from developing. And your phone could be the culprit.
A 2018 study by Ofcom found that people in the UK check their smartphones on average every 12 minutes of their waking day.
Two out of five adults first look at their phone within five minutes of waking up, climbing to 65 percent of those under 35. As the many uses of our phones increase, the nation is likely to spend more and more time looking down.
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“Being on the phone constantly is one reason for the sagging skin on the neck,” Henal revealed. “It’s often known as ‘technology neck,’ so it’s important to be aware of your posture when using a mobile phone.”
Tech neck is a new name for an age-old problem that can not only affect the appearance of your neck, but can also lead to painful strains and other health problems.
Too much time spent craning your neck to look at screens can lead to repetitive strain and damage to the muscles and other tissue structures of the cervical spine.
Cosmetically, neck lines begin to deepen along the nape of the neck, and get worse the more time you spend looking down.
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Rethinking the way you use your phone can certainly help stop new lines from appearing. Repositioning your phone to eye level can ensure you’re not constantly looking down to avoid creating those neck lines.
Certain stretches and yoga poses, including the “upward facing dog” can help stretch the neck in the opposite direction and improve sagging.
However, a “religious” skin care routine is essential for soft and supple skin. Henal explained: “My number one piece of advice would be to religiously use Retinol at night and SPF during the day. This is a game changer. Try it and thank me later.”
She added: “I love my skincare regime and realize it’s the way forward to keep my youthful skin.”
Retinol increases skin cell production, known as proliferation), which can unclog pores. Retinol also exfoliates your skin and increases collagen production, ultimately reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to give your skin a fresh, plump appearance.
And while you might think SPF is only reserved for the summer months, dermatologists say people should use sunscreen every single day to protect their skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
“SPF is an essential daily skin care. Yes, regardless of the season, sun exposure levels or the weather, our skin needs sun protection,” said Henal.
“Actually, overtime sun exposure without essential UVB and UVA protection can have a cumulative effect that is proven to result in fine lines, sagging skin and pigmentation as we age.
But while being “rigorous” with your skin care routine is essential for long-term health and a glowing appearance, Henal suggests reconsidering the products you use frequently.
She explained: “It’s worth ensuring you get it assessed regularly as your skin needs can change according to the season and even the time of the month.”
