|
|
(HealthNewsDigest.com) – The digital age of constant emails, Instagram notifications, Facebook friend requests and severe FOMO (fear of missing out) has us attached to our smartphones and tablets 24/7. Not only does this mean our eyes are constantly fixated on a screen, it can increase the risk of carpal tunnel, stress levels and even cause tech neck – drooping jowls, sagging skin and creases around your chin and neck area as a result of constantly bending our necks to look down at our screens.
“With such thin skin on the neck, looking down at your phone constantly can cause collagen and elastin to break down and lead to deep wrinkles and sagging,” says Dr. William H. Truswell, president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery(AAFPRS). “While you are taking care of your face, don’t forget to pay attention to your neck. The neck area is most prone to the effects of gravity and has few oil glands, so it needs to be taken care of, including moisturizing and sun protection.”
So, you’ve decided to put down your smartphone. Now what? Surgery and painful treatments are not the only option. “The neck area has been notoriously hard to treat but new non-invasive treatments like Kybella and Zeltiq’s CoolSculpting are making it much more realistic and accessible for people to get rid of a dreaded tech neck or double chin,” adds Dr. Truswell. “We’ve seen a huge surge in both men and women asking about these procedures.”
Along with taking breaks from your screens, you can restore a youthful, tight neck with treatments facial plastic surgeons recommend to their patients, including radiofrequency or ultrasound procedures to tighten slack skin. BOTOX® and other injectables can help soften muscle bands, too, resulting in smoother, firmer skin.