HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT THAT BLUE LIGHT IS HARMING YOU SKIN?

A lot of studies suggest that blue light from cellphones and computer screens can cause eye-strain, but it’s less clear how tech time may be affecting your complexion. And there are many studies show that using your phone all the time, its blue light can be harmful to your skin.

In the past, most worries about premature aging and skin cancer stemmed from the damaging UVA and UVB rays emitted by the sun. But over the past decade, scientists have learned that these may not be the only rays of visible light people need to be concerned about. Blue light — emitted by both the sun and digital devices — could be wreaking havoc on your skin health.

“The trend of blue-light blocking in skin care and wellness in general is increasing because we are all exposed to blue light more now with the use of smartphones and tablets,” says Nazanin Saedi, MD, the department co-chair of the laser and aesthetics surgery center at Dermatology Associates of Plymouth Meeting in Pennsylvania. [1]

So What Is Blue Light?

“Blue light is a portion of the visible light spectrum (380 to 500 nanometers) that is contained in sunlight, but it is also given off by indoor lighting and common electronic devices, like computer screens and smartphones,” says Jason Bloom, MD, a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Bloom Facial Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. [2]

Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Hospital’s Department of Dermatology in New York City also added: “Blue light is thought to penetrate deeper into the skin than UV light but fortunately is not associated with the development of skin cancer.” [3]

And How Does Blue Light Affect Human Health? [4]

1. With eyes

Scientists know that blue light, whether from the sun or devices, can cause eye-strain. A review published in December 2018 in the International Journal of Ophthalmology found that on the visible spectrum, high-energy blue light with a wavelength between 415 and 455 nanometers passes through the cornea and lens to the retina. In the process, it can cause diseases such as dry eye, cataracts, and age-related macular degeneration. Study authors wrote that it may even affect hormone production, creating an imbalance that can negatively affect sleep quality.

2. With your sleep

One of the causes of a poor sleep is the use of phones, especially at night. The blue light from electronic devices messes with your circadian rhythm, or sleep cycle. It signals your brain to wake up when it should be winding down. In one study, as little as 2 hours of exposure to blue light at night slowed or stopped release of the sleep hormone melatonin.

Tip : Powering down your digital devices at least 3 hours before bedtime can help.

3. With cancer

Blue light exposure might raise your risk for certain cancers. One study found that people who work the night shift are at greater risk for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancers.

Unfortunately, research on the effects of blue light on the skin is lacking. But some preliminary studies may hold clues.

4. With kids

Your child’s eyes don’t filter blue light as well as yours do. Too much of it from device screens may raise their chances of developing obesity, nearsightedness, and attention focusing issues. At night, it may cause their body to release melatonin even more slowly than it does yours.

Should: To protect their eyes, limit your child’s screen time. And have them put all electronic devices, including handheld game devices, away at least a half hour before bedtime.

The Protection Your Skin From Blue Light [5]

1. APPLY A BLUE LIGHT BLOCKING SUNSCREEN

Look for sunscreens with anti-blue light ingredients. If you’re already applying an SPF daily, making sure you’re using a blue light sunscreen is an easy switch. Not all sunscreens include HEV protection, so look for one that is a minimum of SPF 30, with plenty of antioxidant ingredients. And because blue light comes from the sun as well as our screens, it’s a win-win.

2. AIM FOR ANTIOXIDANTS

Blue light skincare products can come in many different forms, from creams and oils, to blue light serums. But whatever the formula, look for antioxidants. Not only do they only help to protect the skin from blue light, but they also minimise the damage if you are exposed.

3. SWITCH YOUR PHONE’S LIGHT MODE

Adjusting the display of your phone screen is an easy way to minimise the dangers of blue light. Some phones have the option to adjust the ‘warmth’ of the screen to more of a yellow light, or you can simply select ‘night mode’ to reduce the brightness. Just make sure it’s still bright enough for you to read without causing eye strain.

4. KEEP YOUR DEVICES AT A DISTANCE

Many of us are in the habit of holding our devices directly in front of our faces when we watch, text and scroll. And it’s this exact habit that led researchers to look into the connection between blue light and wrinkles. Next time you reach for a portable screen, try holding it at arms length or nestled in your lap instead. By consciously forming this distance, it will eventually become a new behaviour and minimise your skin’s exposure to blue light over time.

5. LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR SKIN

As more evidence mounts for the correlation between blue light and skin aging, boosting your routine with blue light skincare is your best defense.

And knowing whether a cream, oil or sunscreen with blue light protection is best for you, comes doing to knowing your skin and what routine will give you the healthiest complexion.

If you love learning about skincare, from anti blue light solutions to everything there is to know about Vitamin A, you can find plenty of handy tips from our beauty experts via our blog.

In conclusion, blue light is doing quite a lot of harm to us. So we need to learn more about blue light and take measures to protect our health in general and our skin in particular from it.