Dermatologists have sounded the alarm: it turns out that modern “amenities” that bring us joy and comfort – can treacherously harm our appearance. Again, we are talking about a mobile phone, which undoubtedly serves as an assistant in the business and social aspects of our life, but strikes where we did not expect – it negatively affects the skin of the face. Moreover, the blue spectrum of radiation from gadgets is not the only enemy of healthy, clean skin. Dermatologists warn of at least 4 types of black mirror hazards. Forewarned is forearmed – at least now we can minimize its influence.
1. Acne. A study by the University of Arizona found that our mobiles have 7-10 times more bacteria on the surface than on the toilet lid. By the way, this is not the first study that demonstrates how dirty our smartphones are: they are a real reservoir of infections that we always carry with us. Unsurprisingly, our mobile phone may be the main cause of acne breakouts.
What to do about it? If possible, avoid touching your phone to your cheek, use headphones and from time to time disinfect the screen and case with alcohol wipes to remove as much bacteria as possible before use.
2. Wrinkles on the neck. Another bad news: our phones are to some extent responsible for the “floating” facial contours, wrinkles and folds on the neck. “The head-down and chin-down posture forms horizontal lines around the neck as we scroll through social media,” says New York City dermatologist Dr. Janet Graf. – The more often you freeze in this position, the more pronounced the wrinkles become. Therefore, try to keep the phone at eye level when using it for prolonged reading, and do not look down, ”the specialist advises. Some wrinkles are an integral part of age-related changes that naturally occur to our skin. But the folds of the so-called “tech neck” (changes caused by the smartphone) develop, according to Dr. Graf, even in very young patients.
What to do about it? In addition to cosmetic procedures (laser resurfacing and injections with botulinum toxin preparations), the situation can be corrected with exercises to correct posture and neck creams with anti-aging components. All this will help to improve the appearance of the “technological neck”.
3. Hyperpigmentation. Dermatologists are increasingly warning about the protection from the blue spectrum of radiation that emanates from our gadgets. According to some studies, blue light (or HEV) can contribute to the appearance of age spots, just like the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. However, there is not enough research and evidence on this topic to state this with 100% certainty. But the director of cosmetic and clinical dermatology research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, Dr. Joshua Zeichner, says such concerns are not unfounded, and protection against HEV is worth looking into.
What to do about it? “Instead of blocking out blue light, it’s better to neutralize its effects on the skin by using beauty products with antioxidants that act like fire extinguishers. They help neutralize free radical damage that can be caused by various sources, including HEV, ”advises Dr. Zeichner. For this purpose, you can use serum with vitamin C.
4. Contact dermatitis. In this case, the danger to the skin is not so much the mobile itself as shockproof covers for it, which consist mainly of two components – chromium and nickel. There are studies that support the ability of these two metals (especially nickel) to cause skin allergies. If, after using your phone, you get a small red itchy rash on your cheek, chances are that you have a reaction to the phone case.
What to do about it? The best antidote is a plastic or silicone case. In case of itchy rashes, consult a doctor who will prescribe a remedy for contact dermatitis.
