By now you’ve probably heard that spending extensive time on your phone or devices can result in a number of negative health outcomes, but did you know the constant habit of looking down at your tech can also be affecting your skin!

Tech Neck

The chronic posture of looking down can put pressure on the joints as well as create static winkles in the neck skin. In a phenomenon termed “tech neck” the neck muscles become strained due to texting and other activities that promote forward head position [1]. This head position is also responsible for the chronic folding of neck skin exacerbating visible signs of aging.

Luckily there is hope for the prevention of tech neck from both a skin and musculoskeletal perspective!

Here are our top 3 ways to keep your spine and skin feeling great:

Strengthen your deep neck flexors

These are the muscles responsible for holding your head up. Keeping them strong can help you maintain correct posture and prevent chronic forward head position, reduce neck pain, and decrease unnecessary neck skin folding. To strengthen these muscles tuck your chin in like you’re making a double chin, and pull your head back. Relax for 3 seconds and repeat 10x 2-3 times per day. Learn how HERE.

Adjust your screens

whether it’s a computer monitor or your phone, try raising them up with a computer stand or simply by hold your device higher up to prevent looking down for prolonged periods.

Try a neck mask

The Consonant Reusable Silicon Neck Mask is not only a great way to encourage proper posture, but applying it over a hydrating serum or moisturizer can help reduce the appearance of winkles and help your products work better [2].

While tech is here to stay, there are measures we can take to help reduce the impact they have on our health and skin. After all, great skin is about more than just great skin care products.

 
[1] Pais, V., Shahida, F., & Thaslima, F. (2021). Is Tech Neck A Growing Hazard among the Young?. Indian Journal of Physiotherapy & Occupational Therapy, 15(2).

[2] Trookman, N. S., Rizer, R. L., Ford, R., Ho, E., & Gotz, V. (2009). Immediate and long-term clinical benefits of a topical treatment for facial lines and wrinkles. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 2(3), 38.