Health experts and people alike are talking about the dangers of blue light to the eyes, which can strain your vision and compromise your sleep quality. Now, the conversation is introducing a new concern to the public: can screens age your skin too?
Blue Light and UV Light In a Nutshell
Blue light is a high-energy ray that is part of the visible light spectrum. An appropriate amount of blue light exposure can be healthy as it improves cognitive function, boosts alertness, and can even elevate mood as it regulates the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle.
However, too much blue light can also throw the circadian rhythm off-balance, which disrupts the production of sleep-inducing hormones and interferes with your sleep overall. Unfortunately, finding some shade won’t cut it anymore as blue light also emits from fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and LED lighting on top of digital screens.
Overexposure to blue light can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration, which damages the sensitive cells in the retina. That’s why blue light is primarily concerned with the state of your eyes and sleep, but now a new issue is making its way in the spotlight to make a triple threat to your health.
What is the Connection between Blue Light and Skin Ageing?
Blue sits alongside red, orange, yellow, and green light rays to create sunlight. It emits the shortest wavelength and highest energy compared to other visible light rays, which is right next to the all-too-familiar, damaging light infamously known as ultra-violet rays.
The link between UV light and oxidative stress is well-documented, meaning it is proven to be a powerful attack against the skin as it invites premature wrinkles to skin cancer. The connection between blue light and oxidative stress, on the other hand, is not as clear. Studies only show concerning findings on blue light with dosages on par with the sun, which is a far cry from your digital screens.
Constant Exposure to Digital Screens Increase the Risks of Blue Light
While blue light isn’t nearly as distressing to the skin as ultra-violet rays, a 2018 study suggests that hours of exposure can trigger radical generation in human skin cells, which can heighten by the potency of your screen time. Flashes from selfies, in particular, are found to be the most detrimental as it contributes to redness, wrinkling, and hyperpigmentation.
While it’s true that there are rare souls who keep their use of mobile devices at bay, the reality is that the majority of people are surrounded by screens. Cutting it down every morning and evening may help, but a typical workday already involves at least eight hours of blue light exposure from your desktop. With little to no choice, how can the modern-day individual adapt?
Changing Your Habits to Reduce the Risk of Blue Light
Blue light is unavoidable in more ways than one, but you can control specific habits that can reduce your exposure to the risks of digital screens. Using blue-light-blocking screen protectors can shield you from receiving the direct brunt, which you can supplement by downloading a software-based app to stop your device from emitting blue light, although this will make your screen an orange colour. Minimizing your use of mobile devices during the morning and before you sleep will also help in significant ways.
In Conclusion
Skin ageing isn’t a primary concern regarding blue light as it has a more direct impact on your sleep and eyes, though it can contribute to photo-ageing in an indirect way. How blue light interrupts sleep, for instance, can also negatively affect the way your skin repairs itself as you rest.
While you can’t completely hide from blue light, the guide above should help narrow down your exposure to mitigate the damages in whatever small way you can.
Ocushield provides blue light filters to help protect you from blue light exposure from digital screens. Get in touch with us to see how we can help or shop today!
Blue Light and UV Light In a Nutshell
Blue light is a high-energy ray that is part of the visible light spectrum. An appropriate amount of blue light exposure can be healthy as it improves cognitive function, boosts alertness, and can even elevate mood as it regulates the body’s natural wake and sleep cycle.
However, too much blue light can also throw the circadian rhythm off-balance, which disrupts the production of sleep-inducing hormones and interferes with your sleep overall. Unfortunately, finding some shade won’t cut it anymore as blue light also emits from fluorescent, compact fluorescent, and LED lighting on top of digital screens.
Overexposure to blue light can increase the risk of developing macular degeneration, which damages the sensitive cells in the retina. That’s why blue light is primarily concerned with the state of your eyes and sleep, but now a new issue is making its way in the spotlight to make a triple threat to your health.
What is the Connection between Blue Light and Skin Ageing?
Blue sits alongside red, orange, yellow, and green light rays to create sunlight. It emits the shortest wavelength and highest energy compared to other visible light rays, which is right next to the all-too-familiar, damaging light infamously known as ultra-violet rays.
The link between UV light and oxidative stress is well-documented, meaning it is proven to be a powerful attack against the skin as it invites premature wrinkles to skin cancer. The connection between blue light and oxidative stress, on the other hand, is not as clear. Studies only show concerning findings on blue light with dosages on par with the sun, which is a far cry from your digital screens.
Constant Exposure to Digital Screens Increase the Risks of Blue Light
While blue light isn’t nearly as distressing to the skin as ultra-violet rays, a 2018 study suggests that hours of exposure can trigger radical generation in human skin cells, which can heighten by the potency of your screen time. Flashes from selfies, in particular, are found to be the most detrimental as it contributes to redness, wrinkling, and hyperpigmentation.
While it’s true that there are rare souls who keep their use of mobile devices at bay, the reality is that the majority of people are surrounded by screens. Cutting it down every morning and evening may help, but a typical workday already involves at least eight hours of blue light exposure from your desktop. With little to no choice, how can the modern-day individual adapt?
Changing Your Habits to Reduce the Risk of Blue Light
Blue light is unavoidable in more ways than one, but you can control specific habits that can reduce your exposure to the risks of digital screens. Using blue-light-blocking screen protectors can shield you from receiving the direct brunt, which you can supplement by downloading a software-based app to stop your device from emitting blue light, although this will make your screen an orange colour. Minimizing your use of mobile devices during the morning and before you sleep will also help in significant ways.
In Conclusion
Skin ageing isn’t a primary concern regarding blue light as it has a more direct impact on your sleep and eyes, though it can contribute to photo-ageing in an indirect way. How blue light interrupts sleep, for instance, can also negatively affect the way your skin repairs itself as you rest.
While you can’t completely hide from blue light, the guide above should help narrow down your exposure to mitigate the damages in whatever small way you can.
Ocushield provides blue light filters to help protect you from blue light exposure from digital screens. Get in touch with us to see how we can help or shop today!
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Ocushield has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations.
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Current Version
March 29, 2021
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