Here’s the shocking ways your office job could be ageing you — and six simple ways to prevent it
Did you know everything from where you sit to how often you disinfect your desk could affect how fast you age?
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WE all know workplace politics and demanding deadlines can get the better of our stress levels.
But did you know everything from where you sit to how often you disinfect your desk could affect how fast you age?
Sophie Bronstein looks at the perils at the office which may have something to do with those fine lines.
WINDOW SEAT
Is your desk next to the window? Great for watching the world go by but not so good for your skin.
Why? Glass only blocks out UVB rays, the type that cause sunburn. So while it is not possible for your skin to burn through a window, ageing UVA rays are still let through.
This will also help to shield your skin against dark spot-inducing rays.
NOISE
If you work in a particularly fast-paced, noisy environment you might not think it will affect your skin, even if it does give you a banging headache.
But high levels of noise actually increase the hormone adrenaline, which is linked to the body’s stress response.
Stress hormones result in skin inflammation, which can be a trigger for premature ageing.
So, popping your headphones on and listening to your favourite music might not only make you concentrate better — it will actually help to keep your stress levels balanced, too.
DESK GERMS
If you are chained to your desk answering calls all day, beware.
Phones can accumulate huge amounts of bacteria when they are not cleaned regularly, which can only mean bad news for breakouts if you are pressing these germs to your face.
Not only that, but the pressure of the phone on your skin can trap oil in your pores, which can create blemishes that, in turn, can lead to scarring.
Definitely not what you want if your goal is to stay fresh-faced.
Make sure you give your phone a quick once-over with a wipe every couple of days to stop germs spreading.
This will help to keep acne-causing bacteria at bay on your skin and stop excess oil production with just a few spritzes.