Technology has taken over our daily lives like never before, with the popularity of smartphones, tablets and all kinds of other devices that put the power of the Internet right in the palms of our hands. Along with the convenience factor, however, come some signs of aging that we didn’t seem to have before. Can cosmetic surgery help to repair the damage?
Technology and Aging
Can all this modern technology be aging us faster? It’s possible, but not because of the additional exposure to computer components. Rather, the increased evidence of aging is due to the new expressions our faces are making from staring at such tiny little screens all day. Specifically, the constant furrows from squinting at our smartphone screens are leading to accelerated wrinkle development around the eyes and between the brows.
Minimizing Damage
There are plenty of ways you can minimize the additional damage caused by smartphone use. One trick is to adjust the settings on your phone to make the text size more visible. Taking lots of breaks and switching over to a computer for more involved work are also great ways to give your facial muscles a rest.
For existing evidence of aging, a facelift can help you restore a more youthful appearance. An eyelid lift will specifically address aging around the eyes, and can be combined with nonsurgical treatments, like laser resurfacing, to help erase fine lines and wrinklescaused by eye strain. Finally, BOTOX® injections can paralyze the affected muscles, smoothing out both muscles and skin to eliminate wrinkles.
With the right combination of prevention and care, you’ll be able to minimize the signs of aging from your smartphone, and slow down the future impact that technology use could have on your reflection.
Dr. Alexander received his Medical Degree from the University of Maryland School of Medicine, one of the country’s first medical schools, and then had five years of intensive general surgery training at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, serving as chief resident in 1993-1994. There he was one of two residents honored “Outstanding Teacher” by the Whitehead Society.
After becoming Board Certified in General Surgery, Dr. Alexander attended the University of California San Francisco, one of the premiere Plastic Surgery programs in the United States. There he completed two additional years of residency training in Plastic Surgery. Dr. Alexander is double board certified in Surgery and Plastic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Alexander specializes in facial rejuvenation, and was the first surgeon in California to perform the QuickLift,™ a revolutionary surgical procedure that takes years off the face with less downtime than traditional facelifts. He is a specialist in chemical peels and laser surgery and was selected to author the chapter “Facial Resurfacing” in Plastic Surgery, the premiere textbook of the specialty. He also specializes in facial cancer reconstruction and endoscopic, minimally-invasive procedures, publishing his own original research about endoscopic plastic surgery. He lectures in medical forums and has presented his results at both national and international surgical meetings.
