What comes to your mind when you think of night light skin with waves? Technology is all fun, but do you know you are paying a hefty amount to stare at your screen?
Yes, BLUE LIGHT NOT ONLY CAUSES EYE STRAIN BUT WREAKS HAVOC ON YOUR SKIN HEALTH TOO! Still not convinced? Without further ado, let’s get to the bottom of this topic together and find out what computer UV light does to your skin health.
What Is Blue Light?
ROYGBIV is an acronym we all memorized in our childhood, right? Together, they make the white light. HEV (high-energy visible) light, also known as blue light, is natural and also given off by indoor lighting and electronic devices, such as smartphones and computers.
Also, with a light skin with waves length between 380 to 500 nanometers, blue light penetrates deeper into the skin cells than UV rays.
Although the amount of blue light emitted by devices is only a minute fraction compared to that of sunlight, the problem is we spend half of our daytime scrolling via smartphones.
Did you know that American adults spend over 11 hours a day interacting with digital media?
Is Computer UV Light Bad for Your Skin?
Yes, blue light disturbs the biological cycle of skin cells, including cell shrinkage and death. The regenerative cycle of the skin might get thrown out of whack, resulting in greater skin damage over time.
Exposure to blue light can increase the amount of DNA damage, photoaging, and cell and tissue death. Its harm isn’t just limited to the skin; its effects on the sleep cycle and eye physiology are well-known.
How Does Blue Light Damage Your Skin?
Now you know that computer UV light does your skin disfavor, so are you wondering how exactly it damages your skin cells? Here’s what you need to know:
- Blue light tends to increase the generation of ROS (reactive oxygen species) and free radicals.
- Free radicals have unpaired electrons and are highly reactive, robbing other skin cells of electrons that cause oxidative stress.
- Then, blue light penetrates deeper into the skin, stimulating the free radical production that attacks the healthy cells’ DNA.
- As the blue light wavelength extends into the epidermis of the skin tissue, encountering elastin and collagen (proteins that provide flexibility and strength to the skin).
- When elastin and collagen of the skin cells deteriorate owing to the free radical damage, the signs of photoaging increase because the skin cells lose their elasticity and are more prone to wrinkles.
What Are the Telltale Signs that Blue Light Has Damaged Your Skin?
Some of the most common signs include:
- Fine lines.
- Photoaging.
- Swelling.
- Redness.
- Pigmentation.
Disclaimer: There is no scientific evidence as of now that to what extent blue light from electronic gadgets damages skin cells. Instead, some dermatologists and aestheticians use blue light for the treatment of skin conditions like acne.
How to Protect the Skin from Computer UV Light/Blue Light/Light Skin With Waves?
Don’t know what goes into the quest for preventative measures? Fret not! We got you covered, just follow these simple yet effective tips and tricks and keep glowing.
- As they say, prevention is better than cure. Yes, try to reduce your screen time and spice up your daily routine with fun and exciting activities.
- DO NOT FORGET TO APPLY SUNSCREEN BEFORE YOU GO OUT.
- Add antioxidant-rich foods to your diets, such as leafy veggies and fruits.
- Add serums to your skincare haul, especially vitamin c.
- It’s best to reduce the brightness of your smartphone.
- Also, you can cover the gadgets with UV shields to reduce blue light exposure. Nonetheless, it doesn’t offer complete protection.
The Takeaway
Albeit blue light from gadgets has not been found to have a high enough intensity to be harmful in the short term, we aren’t aware of the long-run effects, plus there are other sources of blue light too. Thus, limiting overall exposure to blue light is always prudent.
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