We’re all addicted and dependent on technology more than ever. While it may have made our lives easier, this constant contact with our cell phones also has a lot of negative effects. The rays emitted by common, everyday gadgets have a visible effect on our largest organ – the skin.
Did you know the blue lights (HEV) emitting from our gadgets is as damaging as the ultraviolet rays of the sun? Exposing our skin to both these rays causes inflammation under the skin, thereby slowing down the skin’s ability to protect and repair itself. Here are a few ways through which your phone is causing your skin to age faster.
Acne
A study has proved that our phones have more bacteria than a toilet seat! Can you believe that? Your phone is probably the filthiest thing you touch all day and every day. This can transfer the dirt from your phone to your skin easily and lead to acne and breakouts. A quick and easy way to fix this is by minimising skin to phone contact. Switch to Bluetooth earphones so you don’t transfer germs onto your face each time you get a call. Also, clean your phone twice a day using cleansing wipes that are safe to be used on gadgets.
Tech neck
The delicate skin below your neck is the first part that shows the signs of ageing. The more we look downwards, the more this skin naturally creases and folds several times before the top layer starts to break down. While binge-watching shows and movies, we don’t realise that we are constantly bending our neck and causing our skin to wrinkle sooner than expected. To prevent this, place your laptop or phone a little away, this will allow your neck to be in a neutral position.
Heat exposure
Have you noticed how your phone tends to heat up when you use/talk on it for a long time? Prolonged exposure to any sort of heat can increase the melanin production in that area causing blemishes, discolouration and uneven skin tone. Using headphones is the simplest way to avoid this heat exposure coming directly in contact with your skin.
Premature ageing
As mentioned earlier, the light emitting from your cell phone may have a negative impact on skin and cause it to age faster. This light can damage collagen which is essential to keep your skin looking youthful and radiant.
Written by Sanya Hamdani on Feb 17, 2020
Sanya Hamdani is a skincare enthusiast and lipstick hoarder, she truly believes no two red lipsticks look exactly alike. With a Master's degree in Communication & Journalism and 5+ years of digital writing experience up her sleeve, Sanya has some of the biggest beauty experts in the country on her speed dial. When she's not swatching products or writing about the latest trends in beauty, you will find her watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. or cooking up a storm in the kitchen.