5 problems that cell phones can cause to your health and that of your skin

Have you ever wondered how much time do you spend watching your cell phone? According to a survey conducted by the statistics company Statista, the time of use of the device by the Brazilians doubled between the years of 2012, where the average was less than two hours a day, and 2016, when it reached four hours and 48 minutes, the highest average in the world. The data draws attention, therefore, excessive use of the cell, in addition to causing psychological and sleep disorders, can also cause problems related to bones, joints and even to the skin. For example, the habit of always performing the same movement with the fingers to tap or even hold the device constantly with one hand can promote the occurrence of a series of complications.

Joint Pain in the Hands – According to a study conducted by the University of Gothenburg * in Sweden and published in March this year, highly repetitive thumb movements have been identified as a potential risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders related to the use of mobile phones, as this repetition the excess of a single movement can cause an inflammatory effect and, later, degenerative on the joints and tendons of hands, fingers and wrists. But the problem can be avoided through some basic care, the main one being the reduction of cell phone use. However, if this is not possible due to daily work or function, it is important to rest for at least 10 minutes after two hours of work, taking advantage of this period to lengthen and mobilize the tendons and the joints of the wrist area. and hands.

If the problem persists, the ideal is to find a physiotherapist who will check the ways to reduce stress in these areas, as well as reduce pain and strengthen muscles and joints. One of the novelties in the treatment, which can be used even at home, is because of the equipment that acts through photobiomodulation, that is to say, use photodynamic stimulation to promote effects. physiological, such as Sportllux. "When the interaction of Sportllux LEDs with tissue occurs, there is an increase in mitochondrial ATP (energy) and nitric oxide." ATP promotes muscle contraction and Nitric oxide has an badgesic effect, so this technology is very interesting for this type of pain, so the equipment acts in the tissue repair of peripheral nerve lesions, in addition to relieving pain and delay the onset of muscle fatigue, and may also have a protective action on the development of damage induced by excessive use of cells.Angiologist Dr. Alvaro Pereira de Oliveira

Early aging of the skin neck – But the problems caused by smartphones and cell phones do not stop there.The habit continues to tilt the head down to view the cell phone speeds up the Aging process in a hard to treat area: the neck. According to a study conducted by the University of Chung-Ang in South Korea, women aged 29 and over are already folded in this area, while normal would be only after 40 years. One reason cited in the study was the overuse of the cell phone. Recently, the number of patients with neck wrinkles has increased so that the problem already has a name: Wrinkles Tech Neck. "The skin of the neck is very thin, almost without sebaceous glands, with a thickness of nearly two millimeters, little hydrated and where there is a great natural movement by the very dynamics of the region. frequent head to look at the cell phone, tablet or other device, promotes the early appearance of signs of aging and the formation of furrows in the region, "says Dr. Claudia Marçal, a member of the Brazilian Society [19659003] According to the doctor, to avoid the appearance of wrinkles Tech neck an important tip is, even when moving devices, keep the head at an angle of 0 degrees and the posture aligned, with the phone in the direction of the eyes . With regard to daily care in the neck area, the specialist indicates the use of neutral soaps or soothing lotions based cleaners. "Next, toning lotions should be used to prepare the skin to receive a tension serum that may contain Hyaxel, low molecular weight hyaluronic acid, antioxidants, vitamins, and glycosaminoglycans, as well as substances that recover the volumetry of the area like Adipofill. and Sculptessence. "Finally, sunscreen with SPF 30, at least, is essential, and should be reapplied every four hours. In the case of treatments, botulinum toxin and lasers are among the most used procedures today to treat the expression lines that form horizontal necklaces.

Acne – The devices concentrate a large number of bacteria and dirt that are carried to the face, especially in direct contact with the cell phone or if the person has the habit of pbading the hand over the face , which ends up helping the formation of pimples. "To prevent the onset or worsening of acne, it is important to perform regular cleaning of your device with specific products.In addition, you should avoid touching your face several times a day, especially if you have the bad craze for squeezing pimples, "says the dermatologist.The doctor always warns of the importance of always consulting a dermatologist because acne is a multifactorial problem and alone a medical specialist may indicate the best treatment for the problem.

Visible Light – Visible light emitted by the cell phone is also harmful to our health as it may promote the appearance of brown spots and trigger or aggravate certain skin diseases. "This is because visible light stimulates melanogenesis, ie pigmentation, being an important factor in the worsening of melasma and skin disorders. photosensitive diseases, such as lupus and rosacea. In addition, visible light also causes inflammation, tissue damage and acts directly on the cells' DNA, as it interacts with melanin, a pigment that stains the skin and generates a highly reactive form of oxygen. which even deteriorates the cell genetic material, "says the doctor. To treat and prevent the problem, the dermatologist recommends the daily use of anti-oxidant creams and, for people with photosensitive skin diseases, a dermatological follow-up is essential. "In the case of melasma, treatments such as micro-needles, radiofrequency and crystal detachment work well, but since melasma has a hereditary characteristic, the use of topical and oral medications is essential.

Allergy – In addition, some cellular components, such as chromium and nickel, are linked to an increasing number of skin allergies. According to the British Association of Dermatologists, nickel allergy affects 30% of the population in the UK and is among the most common contact dermatitis. And the worst is that nickel is in almost every mobile phone: from the lithium battery (which brings nickel into the composition) to the bond wire of each chip (which is coated with the stuff), through the microphone, electronics and decorative coatings. "In this case, in addition to always using the case and the film in the device, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist to perceive any alteration of the skin so that the professional indicates the best treatment option for his case" concludes Dr. Cláudia Marçal. 19659002] Source:
Dra. Dermatologist at the dermatology clinic of Cariz, with specialization by the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB), member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD) and member of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), CME ( continuing medical education)) at Harvard Medical School