During the quarantine period, the computer turned into a powerful trinity: it is both work and leisure, and the main channel of communication with the world. The time we spend behind the screen has also tripled, and hence the health risks. In such conditions, our main shield and indicator of the state of the body, the skin, is exposed to a whole range of negative influences. Marina Ryabus, a cosmetologist, nutritionist, candidate of medical sciences, founder and head of the author's clinic, told us about real and imaginary threats and the possibilities to neutralize them.
Defense and Reflection: Are Direct Threats Real?
Our skin "works" in two directions - it protects against direct external aggressors and reflects the internal state of the body. So: from the side of the computer (as a device) there are negligible direct real threats to the skin.
Modern machines with liquid crystal screens have the highest degrees of protection and an uncritical degree of ionizing (X-ray) radiation, which is several times less than the natural background radiation. That is, there is no threat from this side.
The risk from the influence of a constant electrostatic field near the screen, when tiny dust particles flying in the air, actually bombard the user's eyes and skin, really exists only in the area of this field (up to half a meter). A distance of 60 cm automatically removes this threat. So what's the real harm?
A lot of work, a lot of stress and lack of exercise
Stress # 1
It provides you with uninterrupted hours of work at the computer and, as a result, physical inactivity. Long-term sitting affects the muscles and increases spasms, as a result of which the neck-collar zone suffers, stiffness and tension appear, up to chronic pain. In parallel, stress supports the adrenal glands by producing cortisol. And since the body is a single whole, many systems are involved in stress - nervous, endocrine, vascular. Ultimately, your skin suffers from a general imbalance in your body.
Stress # 2
You use the computer as a communication channel with the outside world and obsessively focus on negative events in reality: it strains, increases internal anxiety and aggravates the situation with various kinds of deficiencies (iron, vitamin C, magnesium, selenium, or individual amino acids like proline, leucine, valine). Stress plus deficiency is primarily about poor collagen production. As a result, you get early signs of aging, a weakened skin framework, premature appearance of wrinkles, etc.
In both cases, the mechanism of action of stress is the same - it “hits” the adrenal glands, which are responsible for the production of the stress hormone cortisol, decreasing or, conversely, increasing its level prohibitively. And since cortisol regulates the work of "colleagues" in the endocrine shop - estrogen, testosterone and thyroid hormones - then the entire "hormonal factory" fails (read also: "Hormonal imbalance: how to recognize and prevent it").
Regular stress lowers the local immunity of the skin: a person got nervous, anxiety stuck with fat and sweet and provoked rashes, allergic reactions and, in general, became more susceptible to destruction of the skin barrier (read: a decrease in the protective properties of the dermis, attack by various bacterial and viral infections).
Blue light - deceiver and imitator
Blue light from monitors also affects the skin not directly, but through "work" with the internal systems of the body.
By itself, blue or blue light does not pose a threat - our eyes are protected from the destructive potential of its short waves by natural mechanisms: elements that distinguish and block blue light. But he easily deceives us, imitating the bright sky of the day - that is, it gives a signal to stay awake and active even in the middle of the night. In other words, blue light throws us off the rhythm - the natural biological cycle "sleep - wakefulness". It is vital for the body to produce all the necessary substances for a full life and healthy immunity.
During sleep, we produce melatonin and other neurotransmitters that help cleanse the cells of the immune system and prepare it to respond to immune aggression both inside and outside of us. If this production cycle is disrupted, the human body is virtually open to any threat. And here not only the appearance of the skin suffers. In addition to the fact that it becomes dull, earthy and prone to pseudo-allergic reactions to any means, numerous weak points appear in it - ideal targets for various microorganisms and viruses.
How to protect your skin from the negative effects of computer work?
- Proper computer hygiene. This is 30-40 minutes of responsible structured activity, and every 20 minutes ophthalmologists advise you to interrupt for a 20-second visual warm-up, followed by several minutes of relaxation - breathing exercises, stretching exercises, yoga or a treadmill. Any type of activity that helps to prevent muscle hypotension, stagnation in the body and physical inactivity is suitable;
- Self-regulation of an active and conscious attitude towards oneself. It's important to clearly separate your computer and phone from your life. There is no need to mock your nervous system: if you do the job, switch over. To a greater extent engage in self-development and to a lesser extent - focus on negative news;
- Maintaining the biological rhythm "wakefulness-sleep". Don't give blue light a chance to disrupt your circadian rhythm - stop contact with all kinds of display devices half an hour before bed;
- Good skin care: clean, close, protect. The bottom line is that any aggressive factors can be leveled out by a competent approach and a clear home "protocol". These primarily include cleansing and scrubbing products, selected for the type of skin. Next - active serums and moisturizing preparations, rich in vitamins and antioxidants (see also: "Five best serums with antioxidants"). When working with a computer, the SPF factor does not need to be applied - this is not the type of radiation that should be protected from;
- In a quarantine regime, the active trinity works great - vitamins C and E plus resveratrol. This is the best triad of drugs that will reduce the aggressive gradient from environmental factors.
About the expert:
Marina Ryabus
Photo: Getty Images
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