The Most Ridiculous Press Release I've Gotten In Eons
It's promoting a New York-area plastic surgeon:
Dear Editors and Producers:Wrinkles may be a sign of approaching middle age but younger women now have a reason to worry -- the smartphone squint. Many of them are developing premature wrinkles from staring at their smartphones, says Dr. Brian Glatt, a New Jersey board-certified plastic surgeon. According to Dr. Glatt, "The trend for 'BlackBerry Botox' is highly increasing especially among women who are addicted to gazing on their BlackBerries or iPhones all day. Peering at a small screen causes facial strain, around and between the brows which may cause premature wrinkles on the face."
Smartphone-related wrinkles are the latest condition that doctors attribute to overuse of technology. Others include 'BlackBerry thumb' - a form of repetitive strain injury caused by excessive texting.
As I wrote to the PR "professional" who sent this to me:
I'm sure you all have bills to pay and many probably have children to feed, but seriously?
I'm sure I'll have a comment about this, as soon as I stop laughing. WTF?
Daghain at March 17, 2011 12:46 PM
Press releases are frequently good for a laugh.
Christopher at March 17, 2011 12:47 PM
"The trend for 'BlackBerry Botox' is highly increasing..."
Ugh. You should have added that Dr Glatt needs to work on his grammar.
Ltw at March 17, 2011 12:49 PM
addicted to gazing on their BlackBerries
Even worse.
Ltw at March 17, 2011 12:51 PM
The thumb thing is much more plausible. The action required to use a small keypad or screen is pretty unnatural, RSI or premature arthritis could be a real risk. I have real trouble reaching my phone keypad with my thumb - the phone is too small for that - usually I hold it in one hand and use the forefinger of the other to type. Then again I rarely send more than 2 or 3 messages tops a day so it's not much of an issue.
Squint induced wrinkles sound like a complete crock to me though.
Ltw at March 17, 2011 12:57 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2011/03/the-most-ridicu.html#comment-1934717">comment from LtwI used to be able to read a matchbook from across a busy highway, but now I'm an old bag and my vision is sagging...but, still, I don't think I've EVER squinted to read my phone.
Amy Alkon
at March 17, 2011 1:11 PM
...causes facial strain, around and between the brows which may cause premature wrinkles on the face.
...addicted to gazing on their BlackBerries....
...trend ... is highly increasing....
I'm guessing the writer of this has a Communications degree. Too bad he didn't learn to write while he was learning to communicate.
Conan the Grammarian at March 17, 2011 4:24 PM
The Goddess Writes: The Most Ridiculous Press Release I've Gotten In Eons
You wear your age very well.
Patrick at March 17, 2011 4:59 PM
> I'm sure you all have bills to pay and many
> probably have children to feed, but seriously?
You can laugh, but someone has done good PR as it looks like many websites have already picked up this press release:
http://www.google.com/#sclient=psy&hl=en&site=&source=hp&q=%22Smartphone-related+wrinkles+are+the+latest+condition%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.&fp=23daeab4d2e2d925
Snoopy at March 17, 2011 5:05 PM
I've had glasses since I was 10. I've been a squinty hag since before puberty.
MonicaP at March 17, 2011 7:19 PM
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