Blue light is emitted visible light between the wavelengths of 400 to 500 nm. The main source of blue light is sunlight, but digital screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and fluorescent lighting serve as additional sources.

With the increased usage of light sources technology that emit blue light, such as lamps for interior lighting, television screens, computers, digital tablets and smartphones. Concerns about the negative effects of blue light on the skin have rapidly increased over the past 15 years.

A consumer study conducted showed, 60% of people now spend more than six hours in front of a digital device when spread across five working days, equating to the same impact on the skin as spending 25 minutes in midday sun without protection.

“Blue light is one of many external aggressors which can have a negative impact on the health of our skin” Samantha Tucker-Samaras, global VP of science & technology

Low-energy levels and low exposure periods to high-energy blue light can help prevent skin diseases, whereas studies have shown that extensive exposure to high-energy blue light can increase the amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS),DNA damage, cell and tissue death, and injury, eye damage, skin barrier damage, and photoaging.

Can Light Emitted from Smartphone Screens and Taking Selfies Cause Premature Aging and Wrinkles?

Blue light contributes to skin aging similar to UVA. UVA rays penetrate deeply into your skin. This exposure can cause genetic damage to cells on the innermost part of your top layer of skin.

It has been demonstrated that exposure of human skin cells to light emitted from electronic devices, even for exposures as short as 1 hour, may cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Reactive oxygen species have a toxic effect on cellular components.

Even frequent exposure to visible light spectrum of the selfie flashes may cause skin damage and accelerated skin aging.

Over a normal 24-hr cycle, throughout the day your skin’s activity is centered around protecting from environmental assault, at night the skin repairs the damage that occurred during the day in addition to getting it ready for the next day.

Your circadian rhythm maintains the precise clocking system of the different phases necessary to keep your skin healthy, through the clock genes that exist in all skin cells.

When epidermal skin cells are exposed to blue light, it triggers cells into “thinking” its daytime even at night.

The epidermal skin cells can sense light directly and control their own clock gene expression.

The skin cells exposed to blue light can show an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA damage and inflammatory mediators. These harmful effects increase overall skin damage and over time will ultimately accelerate ageing.

Blue light is not totally villainous; it can be both harmful and beneficial to the skin, depending on intensity and wavelength.

Blue Light for Acne

That doesn’t mean blue light devices are totally risk-free; rather, it means that there are some upsides to blue light treatment that may outweigh the downsides, particularly if you’re prone to cystic acne and scarring and want to tackle bacteria fast. If your blemishes are few and far between, though, and you’re only interested in a blue light device for the occasional pimple? It’s probably better to skip it.

“Blue light is blue light,” Dr. Eric Bernstein, M.D., a dermatologist and the Director of the Main Line Center for Laser Surgery, The blue light coming from your skincare devices and the blue light coming from your electronics are, in fact, one and the same — even though they’re talked about in vastly different ways.

Protect & Repair Blue Light Induced Damage

To lessen the damage caused by blue light, you’ll want to use skin care products with ingredients that defend, restore cells, and protect the skin against the production of free radicals caused from blue light. The good thing is, if you have anti-aging products in your current skincare program, you’re probably already benefiting from the recommended ingredients.

Such as vitamin C and vitamin B6 antioxidants to protect and recover skin cells from blue light-induced oxidative damage; Zinc oxide to create a protective barrier and niacinamide to restore skin surface cells.

Include the following ingredients in your home care routine to help protect your skin against blue light induced damage

• Zinc Oxide
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B6
• Niacinamide
• Theobroma cacao (cocoa)

Ingredients & Recommended Skin Care Products To Protect and Repair Blue Light Induced Sun Damage Skin

Vitamin Complex	Daytime Defense SPF30	ChronoPeptide A

Retinaldehyde Serum with IconicA	Vitamin C/Green Tea Serum	Chocolate Antiox Mask

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