Chin up: Digital devices may be causing premature wrinkles and jowls

With the proliferation of wireless mobile devices, there have been increased concerns about possible health risks associated with their constant use. Now a new study says using our smartphones may lead to what dermatologists are calling “tech-neck”. For folks under 40 who stare downward at their screens up to 150 times daily, researchers found a definite loss of elasticity in their skin, causing neck creases and dropping jowls.

This is bad news for neck skin as it starts off finer and the sun thins it further. Finer skin wrinkles more readily and the fat of the neck may sag.

Skin expert Dr. Rowland Payne

Premature wrinkling may be the least of our worries when it comes to our addiction to smartphones. Health risks associated with our devices include hearing loss due to listening to music via headphones and severe wrist and forearm pain caused by repetitive typing on tiny keyboards. Playing Candy Crush and checking emails in bed before sleep is not a good idea either, as the strong backlight can disrupt your natural melatonin and affect your sleep cycle.

Technology digital neck