Blue Light Damage 101: learn what it is, how it can damage your skin & how you can best protect it
Reading this very blog could be damaging your skin right now.
Sad but true… And it’s all thanks to a little culprit going by the name of Blue Light AKA high-energy visible (HEV) light. I know what you’re thinking, I wear sunscreen and a hat and sunglasses, and to this, I say, “fantastic, the golden rules of skincare, well done!”
BUT Blue light is not only found in sunlight but it is also generated by the tech devices we can’t bear to live without like our smartphones, laptops and LED lighting.
In fact, dermatologist Dr Murad, explains that,
“Spending four eight-hour workdays in front of a computer exposes you to the same amount of energy as 20 minutes in the mid-day sun. To put this in perspective, seven minutes of sun exposure at 1 pm is powerful enough to induce immediate tanning".
How is blue light negatively affecting your skin?
The greatest risk Blue Light poses to our skin is through free-radical generation as it has been shown to induce oxidative stress in the skin. Studies have also gone on to show that Blue Light has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin than both UVA and UVB light.
Oxidative stress is one of the biggest contributors to premature skin ageing, as the Blue Light can penetrate deep into the dermis, where collagen & elastin are found.
In addition to this, research shows that Blue Light can be active when it comes to forming pigmentation, especially in people with darker skin tones.
FUN FACT:
Millennials check their phones an average of 150 times a day, and a 2019 report found most people, on average, spend three hours and 15 minutes on their phones a day, with the top 20 per cent of smartphone users having a daily screen time of more than four and a half hours.
Here’s how to protect your skin against Blue Light damage –
The good news is there are a few ways to protect your skin against Blue Light.
The obvious solution would be to limit screen time, but let’s be real, we are living in a digital world, and we are digital girls… or boys.
Many of us work in environments where spend the good part of the day staring at a screen so although limiting screen time is a simple option it’s not always a practical one.
If you are looking to minimize your exposure to blue light and maximize your screen time, then remember to switch your smartphone to night mode.
Sunscreen is a must, we cannot stress this enough! I know it’s something you hear daily, but it is honestly THAT important, not only for your skin’s appearance but for the health and vitality of your skin. Sunscreen has to be worn every day and even indoors to protect you against UV damage.
Blue light can cause premature ageing. It does this by generating free radicals which create oxidative stress and damage to the skin. To counteract this damage, we need antioxidants to neutralize these bad boys before they wreak havoc on our complexions.
These are our top ingredient picks to brighten skin and protect against Blue Light damage –
PEPHA-AGE
Innovative screening agent that protects against the damaging effects of blue light from mobile phones, computer screens, etc.
Sourced from a marine microorganism, Brighlette increases luminosity and brightness
A unique blend of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid to both improve the look and feel of the skin as well as penetrate and bind water, plumping and hydrating the skin
An antioxidant vitamin that helps neutralise environmental stress and helps skin retain natural moisture.
