OK I'll admit — I take my phone everywhere. To sleep, to the bathroom, to the dinner table, to the bar. After realizing how many times I touched my phone per day, I became extremely aware of how much bacteria was probably accumulating on the screen. But it wasn't until I started sort of breaking out for no reason that I realized that my phone was actually ruining my skin because I never remembered to clean it.
What's so bad about forgetting to clean your phone? Well, according to ABC News, "New research out of the United Kingdom found mobile phones are a technological petri dish for tens of thousands of germs. Why? Germs multiply in warm places. Between the heat the phones generate and the germs on faces and hands, you've got a bacterial breeding ground." I know, pretty disgusting.
After I made it part of my routine to wipe down my phone every couple of days, my skin actually became much better. However, there are plenty of other issues that arise from being constantly glued to that hand dandy device. If you're not careful, your phone can do some serious damage to your skin. Here are just a few ways your digital addiction could be ruining your complexion.
1. By Making You Break Out
The oils and dirt on your phone can transfer to your face when you're talking, therefore causing breakouts. Dermatologist Debra Jaliman M.D told Women's Health, "When you place the phone on your skin to make a call, your skin is not only in direct contact with the bacteria, but it also starts to perspire and even trap oil in the pores. Worst yet, the pressure of the phone on your skin creates blemishes."
2. By Giving You Under Eye Circles
All those long nights of staring at your phone put a real strain on your eyes. According to Allure, "The blue glow emanating from computer, smartphone, and tablet screens can throw off your internal sleep rhythms, meaning it's harder to fall asleep and you spend less time in REM sleep."
3. By Causing An Allergic Reaction
According to PopSugar, "A recent study proved that the nickel and chromium in cell phone casings can cause a reaction on skin called allergic contact dermatitis." I began placing a plastic cover on my screen for extra precaution and haven't had a breakout since.
4. By Helping Wrinkles Develop
Along with Crows Feet from squinching, you can also get what's described as "tech neck" from looking down at your screen so much.
5. By Creating Dark Spots
PopSugar also mentions that "overheating [phones] can cause major skin issues. The added heat can mess with your melanin production, causing dark spots and discoloration to form." So you might want to limit your use by avoiding long conversations on the phone.
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