Are you reading this on your phone? If yes, then it's possible you're part of generation 'tech neck'; a term coined by dermatologists referring to the accelerated sagging and wrinkling of skin on the neck, spurred by spending so much time glued to our phones. *Guilty*
In fact, if you're in the camp of the 'average millennial' (aged 16-30) who spends 3.2 hours per day staring at a mobile screen, then you're racking up a whopping 22.4 hours a week and 49 days a year in a posture that's somewhat unnatural to our bodies. Aka, the position we tilt our head to whilst engrossed in a light session of Insta-stalking or Candy Crush, which actually puts a surprising amount of pressure on the neck.
As a recent study in 'Surgical Technology International' shows, when your head is upright and looking forward (natural), there's a strain of around 5 kilos on your neck: Move your head to a 45-degree angle to look down at your phone and that pressure increases to 20 kilos (unnatural). More pressure = more strain on the already fragile skin in that area. Tilt your head downwards (if it isn't already) and you'll see what we mean.
Now, we're hardly all going to chuck our iPhones in the bin and take a vow of social media celibacy, but there are a few things you can do – should you so wish – to minimize the 'tech neck' effect.
Don't Binge Tilt
The longer you spend staring downwards, the worse it is. We recommend saving your social media binges for when you're lying down, such as on the sofa, and can comfortably hold your phone in front of your face with your head supported.
Hold Your Phone Higher
Obviously this isn't possible all of the time - you may look slightly peculiar following Google maps with your phone sprung out at arms length – but any time you can, do.
Do A Spot Of Yoga
Not only does Yoga offer a good stint of phone-free time, but the right moves also help to relax the neck and improve posture.
Do A Daily Neck Massage
The pressure of massage gets the blood flowing, boosts circulation, improves muscle contours and generally prevents everything going south by keeping the muscles active. Just a few minutes a day will do the trick.
Try Skincare Tech
As a result of the 'tech neck' phenomenon, many big player beauty brands have pummeled their expertise into this somewhat neglected area of skincare. Of course, a topical cream can't fully re-contour your neck, but these tech savvy formulas give the skin a helping hand and feed it with targeted tightening ingredients.
Our picks:
YSL Beaute Forever Youth Liberator Y-Shape Concentrate, £65, works on skin's elasticity to keep skin lifted and tight.
Clinique Sculptwear Lift & Contour Serum, £46, quickly absorbs and for an instant tightening feel.
Sisley Neck Cream 'The Enriched Formula', £101 (out September), is a souped-up update of the original formula, containing caffeine to help reduce an excessive build up of fat cells (which is why it's a key ingredient in many cellulite creams).
Rodial Chin & Neck Lift, £79, combines amino acids with skin-firming peptides to work on the contours of your neck.
