Want Clearer Skin? Put Away Your Mobile Phone NOW!
Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing vide... read full bio
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Ever woken up with an unexplained breakout and wondered how it got there? Considering the strict skincare regime you follow, you must be bewildered that even after all of this, you still suffer from severe breakouts. Or do you suffer from critical dark circles that don’t go away despite you getting at least eight hours of beauty sleep? Well, the culprit for all your troubles might just be in the palm of your hands. It’s no secret that smartphones have made our lives very easy and that everything you could possibly want is now available at the click of a button. From finding dates and meeting new people to scheduling your next dentist appointment, a smartphone can do it all. It’s no surprise that people take their smartphones everywhere they go. You’d be lying if you said you don’t sneak your phone into the bathroom. Here are a couple of problems that arise when you use your phone and a few quick-fix solutions for them:
1. Acne Breakouts From Skin To Phone Contact
Let’s be honest. You probably do not clean your phone as often as you should. Did you ever wonder how much bacteria is gathering there? Research shows that our phones are actually filthier than we think they are, and this can cause pretty severe breakouts. With bacteria like E.coli and worse plaguing our phone screens, it’s no wonder people recommend limited skin to phone contact. So how do you fix this? The answer might set you back a little in cash. Invest in a Bluetooth earpiece. If the idea of hopping onto the earpiece bandwagon doesn’t really appeal to you, consider cleaning your phone at least twice a day. It’s a good idea to use a cleansing wipe that contains a low percentage of ethanol and use it to give your phone a gentle wipe down. If you’ve already broken out, it’s a good idea to use an anti-bacterial facial cleanser (1).
2. Contact Dermatitis
Most cell phone cases are made of materials like nickel and chromium. These are well-documented contributors to skin allergies, and many believe it’s actually the number one culprit. If you notice that you’ve suddenly developed an itchy rash creeping up the side of your face or even your palm, you might be developing an allergic reaction to your phone. Cover up your cell phone with a plastic phone case and screen protector. You can also use some over-the-counter medicine to relieve the irritation. However, we would recommend consulting a dermatologist first (2).
3. Dark Spots Caused By Blue Light Exposure
Exposure to blue light can cause an increase in pigment production, leading to hyperpigmentation and premature age spots. If you suffer from a skin condition called melasma, the heat generated from your phone can damage your skin further and exacerbate your condition. A good idea is to use a serum containing Vitamin C and E. It’s also a good idea to use a sunscreen first thing after washing your face. Make sure your face is extremely clean as you don’t want the sunscreen to trap dust into your pores and make your dark spots appear worse than they actually are (3).
4. Premature Aging
Research suggests that visible light, especially light that gets emitted from your phone has a negative impact on how your skin ages. The light might cause your skin to get inflamed, and the visible light can often lead to the collagen in your skin getting damaged. This can also lead to premature wrinkling (4).
5. Too Much Screen Time Causing Neck Strain
Yes, too much screen time can affect your neck as well. The delicate skin on your neck is also prone to increased creasing due to looking down. The loss of inherent elasticity can also occur, which would improve the appearance of creases. This can lead to your skin, looking extremely creasy and dull. The best solution for this is to practice good posture and to look forward while using your phone rather than looking down. When using sunscreen or any creams like a moisturizer, etc., it’s a good idea not to skip applying the cream on your neck.
It’s smart to play it safe and limit your screen time as much as you possibly can. Considering how dependent most of us are on our smartphones, it can be quite a task to accomplish this. However, with practice and patience, it isn’t as difficult as it might sound. If spending too much money on a Bluetooth headset doesn’t seem feasible to you, try purchasing earphones with a mic attachment. This way you don’t have to worry about charging the earphones constantly, neither do you have to worry about losing them. Do you think you’re a smartphone addict, and how do you manage it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
