Why Your Phone is Aging You Faster—” Tech Neck”
– and what to do about it
Whilst writing this, I thought about how often I tilt my head down to check the phone. I bow my head to reply to an email, or scroll through Instagram. In fact, I spend most of my waking time in that “tech neck” position, looking at my laptop or my phone. I read the phrase, “tech neck” and look at my own neck. Yes, there are lines there – and apparently, tech neck is a thing.
First – I am no stranger to aesthetic practices and I have trusted Dr. Yip with my face (and neck) for over 8 years. She has never let me down and I feel pretty good for my age (43). She helps me to age gracefully and look and feel at my best. That said, I am now at the point where my neck doesn’t look as fresh as it could and I might be ready for a little help. So, I’d like to understand the idea of tech neck better. Is this really due to phone use or are the lines on our neck just part of natural ageing? And, what can we do about it?
To explore what can be done to prevent and treat tech neck, I spoke with Dr. Yip, lead surgeon at Jolie Beaute and one of Hong Kong’s most respected aesthetics experts. Her approach is a thoughtful, preventative strategy that strengthens and restores the skin’s natural structure rather than overcorrecting it.
Is Tech Neck a Thing?
“Yes” according to Dr. Yip. So called, “tech neck”, is on the rise due to excessive phone and device use. Looking down, often slumped in bed or on the couch creates the “tech neck” angle – which “creases” up the area. Even if we don’t stay in this position for a long time, small, repetitive movements to look down get compounded over years of daily screen time and it’s changing the way we age”.
According to Dr. Yip, “tech neck” is more than just fine (or deep) lines appearing in the neck area. It’s a visible shift in how the jawline and neck area lose definition over time, with fine lines and sagging appearing earlier and in a more pronounced way than we would expect from someone of that age.
Traditionally, concerns around neck laxity and jawline softening were associated with natural aging. “Now, lifestyle factors are accelerating the process. Patients as early as their twenties and thirties are noticing the early signs of skin laxity, there is nothing innately wrong with this process but it has become a more common area of concern for my clients. As I always say, it’s a privilege to age, but let’s try to age well.”
How ‘Tech Neck’ Develops—and Why It’s Harder to Treat Than Facial Aging
The skin on the neck and jawline is structurally different from facial skin. It has fewer oil glands, less collagen, and thinner layers of support tissue, making it less resilient to constant movement, gravity, and repetitive folding.
“Many patients focus on facial anti-aging but overlook their neck and jawline,” explains Dr. Yip. “By the time they notice sagging or deeper lines, the skin has already lost a significant amount of elasticity. We treat this area with either injectable or non invasive approaches which are both growing in popularity in Hong Kong.”
Dr Yip explains to us that, unlike the face, which is frequently treated with skincare and injectables, the neck ages more subtly—but often more dramatically. When combined with long hours of looking down at screens, poor posture, and natural collagen depletion, the result is an increasingly softened jawline, horizontal neck lines, and overall loss of definition.
“While there is no single treatment that reverses neck aging entirely, a combined approach using regenerative technology, skin-tightening treatments, and preventative care can dramatically improve definition and skin quality”.
So you have tech neck? What to do next
First, we all know that we need to be on our phones less, but realistically, that’s not going to happen. Second, we’re all for ageing gracefully, naturally and being compassionate to ourselves about the skin we’re in. But, if we want to take action, how can we fix neck wrinkles and “tech neck”?
Dr. Yip explains that she takes a customised approach to treating “tech neck” or neck ageing in general. She focuses on stimulation and structural support rather than excessive intervention.
“The goal isn’t to freeze movement or create an unnatural lift,” she says. “The most effective treatments are those that work with the skin’s natural biology, triggering long-term improvements rather than temporary corrections.”
So, here are the options for treatments for strengthening the skin and redefining the jawline.
Ultra 360 Exilis: Subtle Skin Tightening for Early Prevention
For patients in the early stages of “tech neck”—when fine lines and mild laxity first appear—radiofrequency energy is one of the most effective treatments to strengthen and tighten the skin.
Ultra 360 Exilis delivers controlled heat deep into the dermal layers, stimulating collagen production and tissue remodeling. The result is firmer, smoother skin with a subtle lifting effect.
– Best for: Early signs of laxity, fine lines, and skin creasing
– Treatment approach: Weekly sessions for six to eight weeks, followed by maintenance every few months
– Results timeline: Immediate skin tightening with continued collagen stimulation over several weeks
“This is one of the most effective ways to slow down the visible effects of tech neck before they become more pronounced,” says Dr. Yip. “Starting early with skin-tightening treatments can prevent the need for more aggressive interventions later on.”
Morpheus8: Deep Collagen Remodeling for Lasting Firmness
“For patients experiencing moderate sagging or deeper structural changes, Morpheus8 combines radiofrequency with microneedling to target both the superficial skin and the deeper connective tissues”.
Unlike traditional microneedling, which Dr Yip explains works only on the surface of the skin, Morpheus8 penetrates deeper to stimulate collagen and elastin from within, resulting in tighter, more lifted skin over time.
– Best for: Moderate skin laxity, loss of definition, deeper wrinkles
– Treatment approach: Three sessions, spaced four to six weeks apart, with annual maintenance
– Results timeline: Improvements begin within a few weeks, with full results visible after three months
“Morpheus8 works well for those who are beginning to see structural skin changes but want a non-surgical solution with lasting results,” says Dr. Yip.
Oligio RF: Restoring Jawline Definition and Tightening Sagging Skin (non-invasive)
“For more noticeable laxity and loss of jawline definition, Oligio RF delivers a higher-intensity radiofrequency treatment designed to remodel collagen at a deeper level”.
The controlled energy stimulates neocollagenesis, helping to firm, lift, and reshape the jawline while maintaining natural movement. Side note, I was invited to try Oligio and I loved the results – bouncy, cloud like, more youthful skin.
– Best for: Loss of definition along the jawline, mild to moderate skin sagging
– Treatment approach: Sessions every four to six months, often combined with Ultra 360 Exilis
– Results timeline: Progressive improvement over several months, with long-term benefits
“This is a key treatment for those noticing a softened lower face and jawline,” Dr. Yip explains. “It delivers deeper structural support, which is crucial for patients who aren’t yet ready for injectables but want to maintain definition.”
Profhilo: Deep Hydration and Elasticity Restoration
Profhilo is a next-generation injectable treatment that stimulates the skin’s natural regenerative processes rather than simply filling lines or adding volume. So, as far as we understand it, this treatment is about helping your skin to regenerate vs. the old school approach of adding filler to every “space” that needs filling.
Dr. Yip explained, “Unlike traditional fillers, Profhilo spreads evenly beneath the skin, delivering deep hydration and collagen stimulation for a firmer, more elastic appearance. We deliver, small, surface level injections and you can expect to see visible signs of improvement over the next few weeks and months”.
– Best for: Skin laxity, crepey texture, and fine lines
– Treatment approach: Two sessions, one month apart, followed by maintenance every six months
– Results timeline: Noticeable improvement in firmness, elasticity, and overall skin resilience after 2 weeks, lasts around 4-6 months.
“This is one of the most popular treatments for the neck area among my clients. It’s an effective way to rebuild the skin’s foundation without creating an artificial look,” explains Dr. Yip. “It enhances rather than changes—keeping results natural and refined.”
Subtle, Long-Term Solutions Over Aggressive Fixes
This is my third conversation about aesthetics with Dr. Yip and a theme is emerging. The conversation around aesthetics is shifting. Patients no longer want dramatic, obvious interventions—they want to look like themselves, just fresher and better supported over time. I can relate to this, I don’t mind looking my age (truly), I just don’t want to look tired. I want to look and feel fresh and at my best.
“With modern treatments, we have the ability to prevent and correct early signs of aging in a way that feels natural and undetectable,” Dr. Yip says. “It’s about longevity—giving the skin the support it needs so that dramatic corrections aren’t necessary later.”
My take on this? For those noticing the early signs of “tech neck”, the best results come from a personalised, strategic approach that balances non-invasive treatments with lifestyle adjustments. Will I change the way I use my phone? I’ll try, but deadlines are deadlines and Instagram is well, you know. So, I have booked myself in with Dr. Yip have my first round of Morpheus 8. I have never tried this treatment but I have seen and heard celebrities obsess over its effectiveness, so I am excited (and will report back – on Instagram).
Dr. Yip ends with saying “The earlier we intervene with preventative treatments and regenerative aesthetics, the longer we can maintain a defined, youthful jawline—without the need for more invasive procedures.”
Come back soon for my next chat with Dr Yip.
For more information or to book a consultation, visit Jolie Beaute.
Thank you for reading this WOI interview with Dr. Yip, Founder of Jolie Beaute, Hong Kong. Written by Sarah Keates
You may also be interested in reading Why the ‘Salmon Sperm’ Trend Isn’t Going Away — And What It’s Really Doing for Your Skin.
Contact Jolie Beaute directly at: https://www.drjoliebeaute.com/
