I always say that you should treat your neck as an extension of your face. That means you need to take care of the skin on your neck the same way you take care of the skin on your face (yes, we mean cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing…the whole nine yards). After all, the neck is one of the first areas to show signs of aging, including horizontal lines and wrinkles, commonly referred to as the “tech neck.”
In this post, we’ll share all the technology bottlenecks and additional thoughts from Dr. Kavita Mariwalla. Mariwala dermatology. As a medical skin care expert, I wanted to hear her opinion on this topic. Keep scrolling to learn what causes tech bottlenecks and how to deal with them, according to our experts.
What is tech neck and what causes it?
Tech neck is a colloquial term that refers to the premature development of horizontal lines across the neck caused by the position of the face when looking down at technology. “We used to call it the necklace line,” says Dr. Mariwala. “The general idea is that if you’re looking down at a screen for many hours a day, you’re going to start to see signs of aging and drape-related changes in your neck area.”
In my 30-year career as an esthetician, I can confidently say that horizontal lines on the neck have always been prevalent. In fact, overlooking technology is not the only thing that can cause technology neck. The position you sleep in also has something to do with it. People who sleep on their backs or who sleep with their heads elevated on multiple pillows cause their necks to bend at a 45-degree angle during sleep, making lines and wrinkles more likely to form.
That being said, neck lines have certainly gotten worse with the use of technology. As screen time increases, the appearance of premature creases and wrinkles also appears to increase. Dr. Mariwala agrees. “As we spend more time at home and the push for digital work from home increases, more people are realizing that,” she says. “Interestingly, since we’re all working from home, I think people are spending more time looking at electronic devices and practicing poor posture.”
How can I prevent tech neck?
Tech neck can develop as early as your 20s or 30s. Once developed, it is difficult to get rid of, so prevention is important. Here are some easy, expert-recommended ways to prevent those pesky lines and wrinkles.
Be careful of your posture
The best way to prevent tech neck is to be mindful of your posture and positioning throughout the day. If you spend hours face down at a computer (like many of us do), you might want to change seats. Keep the screen at eye level instead of looking down at it. This will keep your neck straight throughout the day and prevent premature lines and wrinkles from forming. “Create a space in your home for work that requires you to sit correctly in a chair with good posture,” says Dr. Mariwala. “And finish your work as soon as you’re done. Don’t sit on the couch staring at your phone.”
sleep with one pillow
Are you one of the aforementioned people who sleeps on multiple pillows every night? As mentioned before, this can leave your neck bent at an angle, which negatively impacts the appearance of your neck skin. There is a possibility. When your neck remains bent for long periods of time (such as when you sleep), lines and wrinkles are more likely to form. Fortunately, the fix is easy. Sleeping on just one pillow (the thinner the pillow, the better) keeps your neck in a more natural position. It may not sound like a big deal, but when you consider that we spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping, the impact really adds up.
use sunscreen
UV rays are the number one cause of premature aging, so consistently applying sunscreen is paramount. Please do not make any mistakes. This also applies to the skin on your neck. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen someone apply sunscreen to their face and then carry the residue on their fingers up to their neck. I can definitely say that this application method does not provide sufficient sunscreen effect. He squeezes out a quarter-sized extra nickel for the neck. Learn how to properly apply sunscreen to your neck here.
Moisturize every day
Dry, damaged skin is prone to the first visible signs of aging, so it’s important to give your skin the moisture it needs.How to use neck cream every day is like this Intensive tightening neck cream, Formulated to lift, depuff and nourish the delicate skin of your neck, helping to prevent premature signs of aging. (Then be sure to read about the difference between dry and dehydrated skin as well).
Use the right active ingredients
Using skin care products with the right active ingredients can prevent signs of premature aging, including tech neck. Below, you’ll find three effective ingredients you should consider adding to your current skin care routine to prevent tech neck.
retinol
retinol It has been proven to stimulate cell regeneration, promote collagen production, and promote skin elasticity, among other things. It’s a true multi-tasking skin care ingredient. One of the main benefits of using retinol (or prescription retinoids) is that it can have a significant impact on the appearance of wrinkles on your neck (think wrinkles on your neck!).
Be aware that prescription retinoids can be irritating, especially for sensitive skin types. That’s why it’s important to do a patch test first. After all, the skin on your neck is thin and delicate, so you don’t want to cause widespread irritation. Dr. Mariwala suggests using a sandwich technique where you apply a moisturizer, then retinol, then more moisturizer. This helps the sensitive skin on your neck to tolerate potentially irritating ingredients. (Read my beginner’s guide to using retinol on that note.)
Antioxidant
Antioxidants are the key to preventing premature aging. This is to prevent free radicals (unstable electrons that attack healthy cells and change their composition) from oxidizing molecules. Like the skin on your face, the skin on your neck can come into contact with harmful free radicals every day, whether it’s from UVA and UVB rays, pollution, or other environmental stressors. Exposure to these makes the DNA, lipids, and proteins within cells more susceptible to damage. What happens next? Collagen and elastin production slows down, causing loss of firmness and wrinkles. Protect your neck from free radicals with an antioxidant-rich serum.
peptide
Peptides are long or short chains of amino acids and are the building blocks of proteins. These send signals to cells to produce collagen. Dr. Mariwala suggests incorporating peptides into your skin care routine, as they can improve the quality of your neck skin. He recommends using a peptide serum at night to help the skin regenerate while he sleeps.
What should I do if I already have lines on my neck?
Proper skin care will certainly help reduce neck lines and wrinkles. So, if you are already suffering from tech neck, we recommend you to practice all the above. At the very least, this will prevent lines and wrinkles from becoming deeper, more stubborn and noticeable. That being said, there are some other options, including smoothing patches and professional treatments. First let’s talk about smoothing patches.
Patch to smooth wrinkles and lines
Smoothing patches (patches like this) Frownies and Scio Beauty, keeps the skin taut and reduces deep wrinkles. I tried the Sio Beauty NeckLift treatment, which is a silicone patch that fits the contours of your neck. It feels tight because it requires pressure against the skin (some people may find it too uncomfortable if worn overnight or for long periods of time). Facial patches like these interfere with muscle movement and skin wrinkles, so they’re definitely worth checking out. (Read more about face patches to prevent wrinkle formation here).
professional treatment
For professional options that provide quick and dramatic results, Dr. Mariwala suggests microneedling, Botox microdroplets, Ultherapy and Sofwave. The latter two of his use ultrasound technology to lift the neck, chin, and eyebrows and improve lines and wrinkles. She also mentions various laser treatments that can resurface skin texture. Having had several neck treatments myself, I can confidently say that there are several effective surgical (and non-surgical) ways to tighten your neck. Consult your dermatologist to find out what’s right for you.
We hope this article has helped you understand the causes of technology bottlenecks and the best ways to prevent them and deal with them if they already occur.
Next, read about microcurrent devices and how they can lift and tone your skin at home.
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Expert
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, René Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating audiences, and building an award-winning product line. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has resulted in real-world solutions: products formulated to: 9 different skin types So your face gets exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skin care enthusiasts around the world, it’s her vast real-world knowledge and constant research that has led Marie Claire to call her one of the “Most Passionate People We Know.” That’s why I call him a “specialist skin practitioner”.
