SKIN TROUBLES? BLAME YOUR SMARTPHONE!

Mobile phones have turned into a staple for society today. But did you know that too much exposure to these devices can have adverse effects on your skin? Read on to know what you can do about it.

From being a convenient way of staying in touch to becoming the perfect place to hide my face behind when I want to avoid conversations, I love my smartphone too much to give it up so easily. Hence, I decided to beat it in its own game, and to use the same smartphone which may be harming my skin to search for steps we can take to fight back against these negative effects.

Here is what I found:

• Acne

Let’s face it, even if they are not constantly in our hands or attached to our ears, cell phones always remain close by our side. This way, they are bound to collect the oil, makeup, sweat and germs from both our bodies and our surroundings. Thus every time we use these devices, the accumulated dirt gets transferred to our skin, which in turn leads to clogged pores, and thus acne!

Fortunately for us, simple measures like regularly cleaning the screens with rubbing alcohol and using headphones during calls for a more hands-free experience can aid in combating this problem.

• Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation

A recent study done revealed that smartphones can cause more damage to skin than UV rays from the sun. How? It is because phones emit High Energy Visible Light (HEV) also called the blue light which has been linked with skin issues like dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, there may be cause to believe that HEV can also affect the DNA within the cells, hence accelerating the process of ageing in individuals.

But just as we use sunscreen to protect the skin against UV rays we can do the same for blue light as well. Did you know that using antioxidants can lessen the damage caused by the HEV? Also brands such as Bare Minerals, Dr Sebagh and Estee Lauder have launched products which can protect the skin against UV rays and blue light. Make sure to check them out.

• Wrinkles

We often experience neck and shoulder pain while gazing down upon our handsets. This condition is called ‘Tech Neck’. It can lead to wrinkles around the chin and neck region. Also, frequently squinting at the phone to read the small font, can create crow’s feet around the eyes.

Don’t panic. Though this condition is common, it is also easily reversible. Just include basic shoulder and neck stretching exercises in your daily routine and always try to keep your handsets at eye level to prevent this problem. Moreover, there are many home remedies to treat the wrinkles around eyes. Our two favourites are aloe vera and coconut oil. They not only moisturise the skin but also boost collagen production.

• Dark Circles and Dull Skin

Using smartphones at night can affect the quality of our sleep and disrupt our overall sleep rhythm. Less sleep means tired eyes and under eye bags. Moreover, falling into this pattern can zap your energy and lead to a dull and dehydrated appearance.

Luckily, there are many products in the market which can help you out with this issue. Jhelum Loves Dreamcatcher Under-Eye Oil is one such treatment. It contains natural ingredients like lavender and chamomile essential oils, and helps reduce puffiness, dark circles and induce sleep.