Do You Have the “Tech Neck”?

If you’re like most people, you may have been guilty of spending hours a day looking down at your phone. While there is nothing wrong with using your mobile devices, too much of it can take a toll on your skin. Your neck is one of the most affected areas, as you constantly crane this body part when looking down at a screen.

Many people are now plagued with “tech neck”, which refers to pain and wrinkles that occur on the neck and chest. This may develop without you realizing it, until pain arises or until you see lines forming in the area. The sad part is these creases can deepen over time, as your slouch and flex your neck forward to use your devices.

Smartphone Addiction and Cutting Down

According to studies, an average person spends more than four hours daily on their mobile devices, with half of it mostly on browsing through social media. Research suggested that majority check their devices within 15 minutes of waking up or before getting out of bed. It is also the last thing many people do before going to sleep.  

It is clear that phones are not going anywhere. Limiting the use of them is easier said than done, but making an effort to do so can be good for your health. This means more time for face-to-face conversations, better sleep, as well as less neck pain and wrinkles. It can also lead to reduced stress and anxiety and feeling more focused. 

Preventing Tech Neck

The best way to prevent tech neck, of course, is to limit the use of electronic devices, including phones, tablets, and laptops. This, however, is not entirely possible, especially with jobs that require the use of computers. Fortunately, you can make some changes in your habit to prevent tech neck or keep those wrinkles from worsening.

Here are a few things that can help:

Raise your screen or monitor

When browsing through a phone or tablet, hold the device close to eye level. This is to avoid flexing your neck down or forward. If you use a laptop, a second monitor can help, but if you work on a desktop, you can use a monitor stand to adjust its height. You can also invest in a standing desk to limit sitting time. 

Use a chair with a headrest

To avoid tech neck and maintain proper posture, switch to using a chair with a headrest. Be sure to keep the back of your head in contact with the headrest while working or using a screen. This can help you prevent bending your neck forward.

Take frequent breaks

A two- to three-minute break every 30 minutes is particularly beneficial if you use a screen for an extended period of time. You can use your breaks to stretch, move around, do some light exercises, or even fix your posture.

Strengthen your body

Engage in exercises that strengthen your neck, chest, upper back to prevent muscle pain and imbalances due to a forward head posture. Workout routines that target your abdomen and lower back can also help, especially in supporting your upper body area (which includes your neck and chest).

Try Ultherapy for sagging skin

Ultherapy in Singapore is a US FDA-cleared non-invasive procedure for tightening the skin on the face, brows, jawline, and neck using ultrasound energy. It has also received the European CE mark for non-invasive sculpting and lifting of the upper and lower face, neck, and décolletage.

The procedure works by delivering time-tested focused ultrasound energy that goes into the deeper layers of the skin. This triggers the regenerative process that jumpstarts the production of new collagen, enabling the skin to achieve a gentle yet noticeable lift over time.

You can see an initial effect after the treatment, but significant results appear over 2 to 3 months. You can then see further improvements up to six months after the procedure. Touch-up treatments are also recommended to maintain the skin’s youthfulness as it continues to age.

You can read our previous post to learn more about Ultherapy and the things you can expect before, during, and after the procedure. 

Don’t let phones or other electronic devices take over your life. Try to cut down on your screen time and don’t hesitate to consider aesthetic treatments if you notice neck wrinkles or sagging skin in the area.

Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors to learn more about nonsurgical skin lifting procedures.