Digital technology has simplified our life, especially in times of pandemics, it has allowed us to continue working and to maintain our social contacts. But like everything there is a downside, the excessive use of devices also affects an aesthetic level, both on the skin and in the posture, so much so that a specific term has been coined for this disorder: digital aging. «Its manifestations are different, dehydration of the skin, wrinkles on the face and neck, fatigue, insomnia – explains Marco Iera, specialist in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at the Brera Clinical Institute in Milan -. Not only damage to the skin, but also postural changes involving the neck, back, spine and even the modification of the thumb due to the continuous use of smartphones and mice ».
The damage of blue light
Not only UV rays and fine dust, but the skin also has to deal with another type of environmental pollution, blue light, the High Energy Visible (Hev), emitted by the screens of our devices. A study commissioned by the Accel company showed that each of us spends an average of 6 hours a day in front of screens with LED lights, for a total time calculated in 3 consecutive months a year. Not to mention the Millennials, who check their phones an average of 150 times a day.
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«The skin continuously exposed to blue light suffers skin damage – continues Iera – the electromagnetic waves emitted by the screens increase the temperature of the tissues, favoring overheating and consequently the evaporation of water. This overexposure leads to premature wrinkles, skin sagging, macules and hyperpigmentation, as light penetrates deep into the dermis hitting collagen and elastin, increasing oxidative stress and interfering with cell regeneration. It has also been found that blue light slows the release of melatonin more than any other light source, interfering with the synchronization of the skin cells’ circadian rhythm and their nocturnal repair process. What to do? Interval an hour of exposure to blue light with a break of at least 5-10 minutes. During the day, keep eyes and skin away from electromagnetic radiation for at least 6 hours. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration ».
The tablet neck
In ten years we have gone from using the cell phone 18 minutes a day to a minimum of 3 hours. During the pandemic, shopping was also moved online, sports training, movies, plays and concerts, matches. All this also creates problems with posture «Among the various ailments, a rather frequent one concerns the posture one assumes in front of the devices – continues the specialist -. The neck is compromised by wrong positions, it is the so-called “tech neck” or “tablet neck”, which in addition to causing symptoms such as annoyance and intense pain also produces the appearance of unsightly “necklaces of Venus”. Wrinkles on the neck, in fact, are more and more frequent in young girls precisely because of the excessive use of technology. Incorrect posture while using a smartphone or tablet leads to tilting the head forward and fixing the view lower than the line of sight on the screen and over time the skin of the neck is marked in an inexorable way. Another problem is the “smartphone hump”, to avoid hunching you have to change your position often and, if your head and neck muscles are contracted, you have to move them by pulling your shoulders back. It may be helpful to wear a postural shoulder pad. Finally there is the thumb to claw, it comes to the kids, very quick to write the messages, but in the long run stuck in the joints of the hands ».
The medical-aesthetic detox
Combating digital aging is possible, in addition to simple daily actions, to slow down skin aging you can undergo biorevitalization sessions, needle infiltrations at levels of the superficial dermis of bio-stimulating substances, such as pure hyaluronic acid, mineral salts and vitamins (A, B3, B5 B6, B12, C, E), in order to favor the synthesis of collagen ensuring a fresh and smooth appearance to the face. On the cosmetic front, it is important to apply creams or serums rich in vitamin C with strong antioxidant, anti-pollution and photo-aging power to the face and neck during the day; vitamin A that strengthens the skin and tones it and vitamin E to fight oxidative stress. Perfect cosmetics that in addition to protecting from UV rays, also act against the radiation of blue light. In the evening, apply restorative and soothing formulas, especially for the eye contour and neck, which are the areas most exposed to digital aging.