What is Tech Neck? Plus, Neck Skincare Tips

Although the condition has been around for a while, people didn’t start talking about tech neck until the pandemic, when we were all hunched over our phones and other devices 24/7. Now, it seems as though you can’t go 10 minutes without hearing someone lament the horizontal necklines they attribute to all those hours spent with their head down, staring at their phone. If this sounds like you, keep reading to discover some ways to minimize the effect of tech on your neck.

As it turns out, tech neck isn’t solely a skin phenomenon. Cervical spine surgeons have long noted that holding your head still for extended periods (say, when you’re working on your laptop) can lead to headaches, neck spasms, and soreness. Those docs call it “tech neck” too. Bending the chin down forces the muscles at the back of the neck to contract (to hold the head in place) and folds the skin at the front of the neck, creating the horizontal grooves that are the bane of many necklace enthusiasts and other accessories.  

It’s too much to ask that you lay off your phone and stop using a computer. We get it. But there are some simple habits you can adopt to help mitigate the impact of all that time scrolling through your feed.

It’s just like your mother always told you — good posture is always a must. While you can’t help but look down when you’re checking your phone on the subway, the times you spend working at your desk should be times you practice your posture by ensuring your screen is at eye level, your back is straight, and your feet are flat on the floor. The same goes for all the times you’re not focused on a screen. Keep your neck straight and your head up. The less often you’re folding your neck, the less likely you’ll be to create permanent creases in the skin.

Your skin doesn’t turn into some wildly different material once it goes past your chin. The ingredients that are beneficial to your complexion (think retinol, antioxidants, and peptides) have the same collagen-building, skin barrier-reinforcing effects on your neck and decolletage. And since dry skin is more likely to get damaged, daily moisturizer is also a must-do. 

For that reason, smooth everything you’re applying to your face as part of your daily regimen down your neck as well. A comprehensive morning routine that would help support both face and neck would include antioxidant vitamin C to fight free radicals and help stimulate collagen growth (try our Vitamin C Lactic 15% Vitamin C Firm & Bright Serum), peptides to help increase production of collagen and elastin (find them in our DermInfusions Fill + Repair Serum), and a moisturizer with skin barrier-strengthening squalane and ceramides, along with an extra dose of antioxidant vitamin C (like our Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream). 

In the evening, incorporate perennial derm favorite retinol into your regimen to help amp up collagen production, even tone and texture, and give skin a firmer appearance. Our Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Texture Renewal Serum and Advanced Retinol + Ferulic Intense Wrinkle Cream are formulated with a potent retinol blend, in addition to ingredients like ferulic acid to counteract potential irritation and antioxidants such as rambutan to help foster collagen growth.

It never gets old: SPF (at least 30) every day, 365 days a year. UV rays degrade the collagen fibers supporting your neck skin, which makes daily sunscreen application of paramount importance in the quest to prevent tech neck. 

Our All-Physical Lightweight Wrinkle Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 30 and All-Physical Ultimate Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 are both chemical and oil-free, so they won’t irritate sensitive skin or trigger breakouts.

Red LEDs (light-emitting diodes) have been shown to spur collagen formation painlessly and with no downtime. A daily, three-minute treatment will help continue what you’ve started with your topical skincare routine. If you own our DRx SpectraLite FaceWare Pro, follow our founder’s favorite hack and turn your mask upside down. 

When you do, you’ll see that it fits perfectly into the contours of your neck area. Adjust the strap, then proceed with the same preprogrammed treatment you’d do on your face. If you have our DRx SpectraLite BodyWare Pro, you can use that on your neck as well to get the same results.

For more skincare tips from the experts at Dr. Dennis Gross, check out our blog’s newest content today. Shop the collection of Dr. Dennis Gross bestselling skincare backed by dermatologists.