Is Technology to Blame for Your Skin Troubles

Technology might actually be to blame for you skin issues.

Your phone and computer may just be the reason you can’t get rid of those pesky eye bags and pimples. Here’s why.

Ironically, it turns out googling ‘ways to solve problem skin’ or Youtubing DIY face masks might be the last thing you should be doing to help your skin.

Here are a few of the ways your technology habits are affecting your skin.

  1. Your phone is a cesspool of bacteria:

Just think about all the things that touch your phone over the course of a day. Now, many of those things are not things you want to go rubbing your face on.

Over the course of the day bacteria from all these surfaces build up on your phone, so putting your phone to your cheek for a phone call transfers that bacteria onto your skin.

Staph infections are one of the most common causes of skin infections, and these can survive up to 9 days on a cell phone, which can lead to pimples and other skin problems.

But don’t stress, this problem is easily resolved: simply invest in some screen-cleaning wipes and make wiping down your screen a regular part of your daily routine.

  1. Blue Light Damages more than just your eyes:

Screens emit a certain type of light called blue light, which has been proven to cause accelerated macular degeneration in the eye.

But what you might not have known is that blue light can also have a negative impact on your skin. Some dermatologists say that blue light has a similar effect on the skin as sunlight, causing premature ageing and increased pigmentation leading to discoloration.

To prevent the harmful effects of blue light, definitely invest in a blue light filter like f.lux on all of your electronic devices.

  1. Technology encourages bad body habits:

If you’re on the phone right now, you’re probably either tilting your chin downwards, or squinting your eyes to read the screen. If you’re at your laptop right now, the chances are that you’ve got your face resting on your hand or your chin.

These typical bodily responses when using technology are not good for your skin. Squinting can cause fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes, tilting your chin down can cause drooping jowls, AKA ‘tech neck,’ and leaning your face on your hands while you use your computer can lead to a build-up of oil and clog the pores.

  1. It’s messing with your hormones and your sleep:

The light from screens also plays games with your hormone secretion, as our body clocks are designed so that when we see light, we assume it’s the day time and our body releases the hormones needed to tackle the day.

One of these hormones is called cortisol, which effects your levels of stress, blood pressure, metabolism and your bodily response to inflammation.

Blue light from your screens also effects your sleep patterns, because it causes your production of melatonin (the hormone that makes you feel sleepy) to slow down, preventing you from getting those 8 hours that your skin and body needs to rejuvenate.

So next time you go to pick up your phone at night, maybe opt for a book instead?

Ultimately, we all need technology to learn and keep in touch. But being more aware of your technology habits and making a few small changes to your routine could have a huge impact on not only your skin, but your overall health.

So why not try putting away your phone at night, giving your phone a spring clean, and trying to limit your screen time where you can? The difference little things like that make are more than you’d think.

Sarah Carroll

Sarah navigates health and fitness alongside a sinful sweet tooth and an unfortunate tendency to splash her savings online shopping, eating out or buying $10 cocktails at happy hour. With a love for yoga, animals and musical theatre, Sarah is rarely found without a peppermint-green tea in hand, tearing up over animal videos on Instagram.

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