How Our Phones Are Changing Our Face & Neck and What You Can Do About It

If you’re like most people these days, you spend a lot of time looking down at your phone. Whether you’re texting friends, scrolling through social media, or reading the news, chances are your phone has become an extension of your hand. However, all that time spent hunched over our devices is beginning to change the shape of our faces!

What’s Happening to Our Face & Neck?

When we tilt our heads forward to look at our phones, it puts pressure on the muscles and bones in our face & neck. Over time, this can lead to flattening of the cheek area, double chins, facial strain, widening of the neck, and less defined jawline. The downward gaze also leads to facial wrinkling over the bridge of the nose and across the forehead as we repeatedly squeeze these muscles to focus our eyes. 

This exaggerated forward head posture trains our facial muscles to stay contracted, which can make frown lines and crow’s feet more pronounced. The end result is what some medical professionals are calling “tech neck” or “text neck” - faces that have lost their natural V-shape and started to scrunch downward.

The Dangers of Tech Neck

Researchers reported in the Journal of Neurosurgery that the poor posture associated with tech neck can lead to early degenerative cervical disc disease. A head tilted greater than 30 degrees places excessive strain and compression on the cervical vertebrae and intervertebral discs.

Another study in Work compared symptoms in workers with chronic tech neck posture to a control group. 63% reported frequent neck stiffness, shoulder pain and headaches compared to just 32% of the control group. The data indicates slouching over devices long term can increase pain.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science examined spine curvature and muscle activity in 26 healthy adults with smartphone addiction. They found the excessive downward tilting of the neck was associated with overstrained cervical erector spinae and upper trapezius muscles compared to a control group.

How Massage Can Counteract Tech Neck

Luckily, there are some simple solutions to counteract the facial distortion caused by tech neck. One of the easiest and most enjoyable is facial massage! Massaging the face stimulates blood flow, relaxes the strained facial muscles, and can help lift and tone. 

Here are some facial massaging tools & products to try at home:

- Using your Uplift Facial Beauty Tool, Press & Roll 7 times in the shape of a seven, along the jawline and down the neck. 

- Use the Miracle Base Oil formulate with Arnica Oil which is known to be anti-inflammatory. 

- Use a skincare pillow such as the Nurse Jamie Beauty Bear designed to cradle and not crush you delicate facial skin. 

Of course, limiting phone use and improving posture are also hugely important for preventing tech neck. But combining these with gentle facial massage is the ultimate way to keep our faces looking their best, even in an age of excessive screen time. Try adding a regular self-massage routine and you may be surprised at the benefits you see!

Products That Can Help:

Nurse Jamie Uplift Facial Massaging Beauty Roller - $69

NURSE JAMIE UPLIFT FACIAL MASSAGING BEAUTY ROLLER

The Nurse Jamie UpLift™ Massaging Beauty Roller is an innovative beauty tool for the face and body with a unique hexagon shape that holds 24 massaging stones to temporarily energize, enhance, revive and uplift your skin. The UpLift™ is a Celebrity favorite for it's ease of use, portability and instant results! The Uplift Beauty Tool utilizes a unique rhythmic rolling action, replicating the techniques used in my signature facials at our exclusive spas to help improve the appearance of skin tone for a more renewed, youthful-looking you!

• 24 Massaging Stones

• Helps Improve Skin Tone

• Suitable for Most Skin Types

• Portable, Easy-To-Use

• No Batteries Required

Miracle Base Beauty Oil - $150

MIRACLE BASE BEAUTY OIL

Nurse Jamie’s Miracle Base Beauty Oil is made with 100% botanical oils, containing Arnica Montana Oil, Sunflower Oil and Prickly Pear Oil. This powerful blend was formulated to help hydrate, soothe and soften the skin. This especially concentrated blend is designed to answer specific issues such as crepey, dry or irritated skin, and inflammation.

• Arnica Montana Oil for inflammation and antioxidant benefits

• Hydrate with Prickly Pear Oil

• Sunflower Oil rich in omegas

• 120 mL

 Beauty Bear Memory Foam Skincare Pillow - $89