London - We all know smartphones are zapping our free time, our sleep and even ruining our sex lives but it seems they are responsible for the demise of our looks as well.
Whether it is on the daily commute, at our desks or even lying in bed, we are constantly looking down at our gadgets.
All this screen gazing means tech-obsessed people could be ageing faster than ever. As the head is constantly bent downwards a new wrinkle appears around the neck - and it’s not helping our backs either.
Labelled the 'Techneck', the wrinkle around the neck and chin is caused by the modern day compulsion to always be checking handheld devices and computers.
Joining the likes of “laughter lines”, “crows' feet” and “worry wrinkles”; the “Techneck” is the latest face furrow and was identified following a surge of neck-related enquiries for treatment.
A company specialising in non-surgical facelifts has noticed the emergence of the new wrinkle amongst tech-obsessives and are offering to combat it with a treatment called the Microlift.
Dean Nathanson, Managing Director of CACI international said: ‘Our hectic everyday lives mean that keeping one's head down, be it buried in work emails or in an e-reader, is completely the norm.
“Recently we noticed a surge in enquiries for our product, specifically to combat lines around the neck area.
“We've identified a correlation between the rise of technology in recent years and the growth of the 'Techneck', so while there is little chance of the nation giving up technology, at least we can help people reduce wrinkles and keep their chin up!”
And as well as an increase in turkey-like necks, all this hunching over our beloved smart phones is impacting on our backs, with back pain one of the most common complaints amongst the British work force.
Josh Catlett, Chartered Physiotherapist says: “Our bodies are not designed to be in the same position for long periods and many people also get into bad postures when using these devices.
“As a result, physiotherapists are seeing patients with neck, back and shoulder problems and also pain in the hands and wrists.
“It is important that people recognise the need to take regular breaks from using such devices and also to consider their posture at all times.” - Daily Mail