We tend to blame the aging process when we notice wrinkles around our eyes, and genetics or hormones are the usual suspects when it comes to acne breakouts. But according to a recent article from the Style Caster, we may be overlooking another culprit—technology.
In spending an increasing amount of time in front of computers and smartphones, we’ve created new habits that have the potential to harm our skin’s appearance, from hunching over and squinting to work on small screens to going months without wiping down our phones.
Tips for alleviating unwelcome effects of technology
While for most people, especially those of us with office jobs, avoiding electronic devices is simply not practical, there are steps you can take to lessen the negative effects on your skin and body:
- Take breaks from looking at the screen. Set a timer to beep every hour to remind you to look away from the screen and relax your facial muscles. Fix your eyes on something far away, like the trees outside your window. This not only helps interrupt habitual squinting or frowning, but also feels good on your eyes and face.
- Adjust your computer screen to an appropriate brightness, and choose a font size you can read without squinting. While doing so won’t reverse any existing wrinkles, maintaining a relaxed expression can help minimize their appearance and may keep frown lines or glabellar lines from getting worse.
- Take frequent breaks to stretch, walk around, and drink water. It’s always nice to get your circulation going, and staying hydrated can help keep your skin looking healthy.
- Clean your devices regularly. Given how often we handle our phones, tablets, and keyboards, it’s no surprise that bacteria can build up very quickly. Keeping these items clean can help prevent you from inadvertently transferring pore-clogging oils and bacteria to your face, which can cause pimples or acne flare-ups.
Consider your options for improving your skin’s appearance
There are a number of safe, effective treatments that can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, treat acne, and help revive the appearance of your skin. Here are a few that target the skin problems most closely associated with technology:
- BOTOX® Cosmetic can help soften wrinkles around the eyes that tend to form as a result of squinting or frowning, such as glabellar lines, crow’s feet and brow furrows.
- Professional facial treatments can offer deep cleansing, exfoliation, and collagen stimulation to combat acne and improve skin texture & tone.
- Medical-grade, at-home skincare products offer a convenient way to treat skin concerns and slow the appearance of aging. Physician-only lines have high-potency ingredients for faster, more noticeable results.
The best way to solve skin problems, regardless of their causes, is to see a board certified plastic surgeon, dermatologist, or aesthetician working under the supervision of a physician. These professionals can evaluate your skin and provide knowledgeable guidance for how you might improve your appearance.
For those of you in the Eugene, OR area, our Eugene med spa is a great resource for both in-office treatments and at-home skincare. We provide complimentary skin evaluations, and can help you plan an effective, affordable skincare regime.