Blue Light From Smartphone Screens: How It Is Dangerous For The Skin And How To Protect Yourself From It

You've probably heard that the light from your smartphone, computer and other technical devices is another enemy for our skin. But is it worth worrying about this (especially against the background of all the other dangers)? We have collected the opinions of the best dermatologists to really assess the level of threat.

For starters, let's remember school science lessons. There is a spectrum of light that we cannot see (the sun's UV rays), and there is also a spectrum of visible light that we can observe. Blue light rays fall into the latter category. They have the shortest wavelength and highest energy, which is why blue light is also called HEV light or high energy visible light. This high energy means that light can penetrate the skin even deeper than the sun's UVA or UVB rays. Although the sun is the biggest source of blue light, all our electronic gadgets - phones, tablets, computers - also emit it. The amount of time we spend looking at these screens is exactly what has brought the issue of blue light to the fore today.

So how does blue light affect the skin?

In fact, the way blue light is exposed is very similar to that of the sun's UV rays: that is, it does nothing good. Blue light can trigger oxidation and free radicals. And these same free radicals are well-known enemies of youth, since they significantly accelerate the aging process. There is also evidence that blue light can increase pigmentation more than UV radiation, and more specifically, blue light can exacerbate diseases associated with hyperpigmentation, such as melasma.

But you need to understand that the "new enemy" affects not only our skin: it is known that it disrupts the natural daily rhythms of the body to a certain extent and causes insomnia (which is why you do not need to scroll through the Instagram feed before bed). Plus, ophthalmologists keep sounding the alarm about the dangers of blue light to vision quality (Horror Stories Today: How We Believed Smartphones Cause Cancer).

Should you worry?

"The evidence for the harmfulness of blue light is growing, but more research is needed to study all aspects of its effects on the skin," says Dr. Robinson of the Oxford Science Laboratory. Take, for example, the relationship between blue light and melasma: it is not known how much radiation affects it and how close the exposure must be in order to infect the skin. In other words, “we don't know how many hours and how far away the skin must be to blue light to provoke a problem,” notes Heidi Waldorf, MD, president of Waldorf Dermatology. But, nevertheless, all dermatologists advise to protect yourself and, if possible, reduce the time spent in front of the screens. It's better to play it safe than to regret your mistakes later (Dangerous Liaisons: 5 Problems Your Phone Poses to Your Skin).

How exactly do you do this?

Obviously, limiting the time in front of the screen is a great idea. This is easier said than done. For those who can't afford it, there are glasses with blue light blocking technology like Privé Revaux. They suppress digital eye exposure and reduce the effects of blue light and, as a bonus, offer protection against glare.

Blue light shields are also a great way to protect your eyes and skin. As for the care products, they should not be neglected either (however, as well as expect miracles). The principle of action is the same as for sun protection: a protective cream plus antioxidants - a real dream team. By the way, now more and more sunscreens offer a "shield" and against blue light.

Is it true that some skin care treatments use blue light?

If you're confused by the fact that blue light is being touted as a way to treat acne, we don't blame you - we didn't understand that either. “In fact, blue light is often used to kill acne-causing bacteria. All this may seem counterintuitive, but in general, it all depends on the dose and degree of radiation exposure,”notes Dr. Robinson.

What's the bottom line?

There is no need to panic (at least not yet), but if you take precautions, it certainly won't be superfluous. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do. Including with the help of cosmetics.

Chrono-regenerating balm Blue Techni Liss Nuit, Payot