Tech Neck and How to Treat It
In today's technology obsessed world, people are spending hours a day looking down at laptops, phones and tablets for work, online shopping and communication. Some people might even feel like they live on their devices! As wonderful as technology has been for modern society, there also comes a few downsides too. In this blog, we will talk about one by the name of "tech neck."
"Tech neck" is the term used to describe premature wrinkling of the neck, which experts believe are caused by excessive screen time. The theory behind this is to do with our neck being tilted downwards while we frequently check our phones and other devices. This repetition and the duration of time which we do this is believed to cause fine lines and wrinkles in the neck, even before our time.
Neck wrinkles are inevitable with age, however, unfortunately the skin on our neck is naturally thinner than elsewhere on the body, which means it's even more prone to aging.
Luckily, there are ways we can prevent this phenomenon from occurring and improve the appearance of lines on the neck! Keep reading to learn more.
What is tech neck?
We constantly have our heads tilted downwards looking at our screens as we read, text or scroll on our devices. Not only does this habit affect our posture and sometimes cause muscular issues in our neck and shoulders, it also triggers the development of wrinkles.
As the skin on our neck is delicate, when our head is tilted at a 45-degree angle, we’re essentially pinching the skin into folds and leaving our muscles in a loosened state. This repeated movement can cause our skin to age prematurely and potentially develop into deep wrinkles overtime.
How can I prevent tech neck?
Prevention is easier than reversing. Consciously remembering to keep your head up can go a long way in avoiding deeply etched wrinkles in the neck. Positioning your devices in a way which doesn't require the neck to be tilted at a 45 degree angle is recommended.
It's also essential to wear sunscreen on the neck whenever you leave the house to avoid sun damage.
I've already noticed lines on my neck. How can I treat them?
By applying antioxidant rich products to the neck area such as vitamin A, vitamin C and peptides, you can boost collagen production in the neck which will improve the appearance of fine lines. Exfoliating a couple of times a week will also keep the area looking smooth and refreshed. Hyaluronic acid is another good choice as it will help plump and hydrate the area. You might like to try our own Australian Made, vegan hyaluronic acid.
For deeper lines, tightening and collagen stimulating treatments from skincare clinics can be very effective at smoothing and tightening the neck area. These include microneedling, fraxel and ultherapy. Injectables such as botox and filler may be used for a more dramatic result.
Another option is Gua Sha. A natural alternative to fillers and retinol, Gua Sha has a devoted following with its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It may have a rep for smoothing away fine lines and increasing blood flow to the face, but this tool can also be used on the neck to fight against gravity. We even sell our own Gua Sha and Jade roller set here.
If you enjoyed this week's blog, you might enjoy some of our previous entries too! Visit our blog page here to read our previous articles on skincare, microneedling and other related content.
