What is blue light, how does it affect your skin, and what can you do to protect yourself?
Posted by Ivatherm
Blue light, emitted by both the sun and digital devices, can have negative effects on the body's health. One of the most concerning aspects of blue light exposure is that it penetrates deep into the skin and can cause cellular changes.
Although for years, most warnings about premature skin aging and the development of skin cancer focused on prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays emitted by the sun, over the last decade, scientists have concluded that blue light also poses a concern.
Light is the main cue the human body uses to regulate its circadian rhythm. For a long time, the sun was the only source of illumination, which meant that once night fell, people could no longer carry out their basic activities and could rest. In this context, sleep cycles were well defined, and the body's biological clock functioned optimally.
With artificial lighting, people's schedules have changed, and exposure to blue light has increased significantly. Thus, we are not only exposed to visible light from the sun during the day, but whenever we use modern digital devices, which in turn emit blue light.
Table of Contents
What is blue light?
Light is made up of electromagnetic particles, called photons, which travel in waves. These wavelengths of visible and invisible light emit energy and are measured in nanometers (nm). Generally, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy.
Each wavelength is represented by a different color and is grouped into the following categories:
gamma rays;
X-rays;
ultraviolet (UV) rays;
visible light;
infrared light;
radio waves.
Together, these wavelengths make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
The human eye only perceives the visible light part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which ranges from 380 nm to 700 nm and is represented by the colors violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
Blue light, also known as high-energy visible light, has the shortest wavelength of visible light – between 380 nm and 500 nm – and therefore produces the greatest amount of energy.
Blue light has benefits for the proper functioning of the body, as it contributes to the regulation of the circadian rhythm. However, the risks associated with blue light exposure cannot be denied. On the one hand, blue light can affect sleep quality and can cause serious eye damage. On the other hand, it has a negative effect on skin health, causing premature aging.
Humans are naturally exposed to blue light emitted by the sun, but also artificially. Modern devices – from televisions, laptops, and tablets to smartphones – as well as lighting sources, such as LEDs and energy-efficient light bulbs, emit artificial blue light, which, in turn, can have negative effects on the body's health.
Negative effects of blue light on the skin
Excessive exposure to blue light affects the skin's barrier function, destroys collagen fibers, causes cellular dysfunction, and premature aging. The effects associated with blue light exposure include skin aging, by worsening wrinkles and fine lines, as well as the appearance of pigment spots.
Recent research has shown that blue light from modern devices can cause changes in skin cells, including their death. Even short-term exposures, up to 60 minutes, can trigger cellular changes. For this reason, the skin aging process is accelerated.
Although laptops, tablets, computers, and phones emit only low levels of blue light, long-term exposure has negative effects on the skin.
A 2020 international study shows that Romanians spend, on average, seven hours a day in front of computers, tablets, and smartphones.
In addition to the negative effects that blue light has on the skin, prolonged exposure to high-energy visible light can also affect eye health and influence sleep quality. For a restful sleep, it is recommended to stop blue light exposure one hour before bedtime.
Blue light affects the eyes
Blue light, whether from the sun or electronic devices, can cause eye fatigue. In the visible spectrum, blue light with wavelengths between 415 nm and 455 nm has been associated with the appearance of eye problems. This blue light, which produces a large amount of energy, passes through the cornea and lens to the retina, causing the appearance of eye conditions such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Blue light influences sleep quality
Numerous studies have shown that blue light can help regulate the biological clock, positively influencing alertness, memory, and perception. Blue light stimulates melatonin secretion in the pineal gland, which can increase or decrease cortisol levels depending on the time of day, thus regulating the circadian rhythm. However, if blue light is in excess, especially at night when melatonin production is higher, sleep quality can be affected. Excessive exposure to blue light can stimulate brain activity, inhibit melatonin secretion, and increase the production of adrenocortical hormones, thus destroying hormonal balance and, implicitly, affecting sleep quality.
Blue light exposure: prevention and treatment
According to studies, prolonged exposure to blue light can cause the degradation of cutaneous carotenoids, those natural pigments with a photoprotective role, which protect the body from excessive light. Carotenoids also provide protection against blue light, which causes oxidative damage to the skin through the formation of free radicals.
The best way to prevent the negative effects of blue light on the skin is to use products with a sun protection factor of at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum coverage, every day.
Dermatologists recommend Sunlight Moisturizing Face Cream SPF50+ against UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared light. It is a product that offers 360° sun protection for sensitive, dry, and dehydrated skin. Thanks to its sun filters, Physalis fruit extract, and carefully selected natural ingredients, the cream from the Sunlight range protects skin cells from the mutagenic effects of UV radiation and prevents premature skin aging.
Since blue light contributes to the breakdown of collagen, it is advisable to apply skin care products that contain ingredients with antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C, to help fight against the oxidative stress that this visible light causes. Vitamin C protects the skin against damage caused by free radicals and can reduce hyperpigmentation, as it inhibits the production of melanin, and supports collagen production.
Also, cosmetic products containing Physalis fruit extract contribute to the restoration of collagen fibers. Physalis is a rich source of phytosterols and carotenoids, which protect the skin from the harmful action of blue light.
Therefore, blue light, although beneficial for regulating the circadian rhythm, can be harmful to health when in excess. Along with ultraviolet rays and pollution, blue light is among the factors that can trigger molecular processes that affect the skin's structure and cause its premature aging, by destroying collagen fibers and reducing elasticity and firmness.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.
What is blue light, how does it affect your skin, and what can you do to protect yourself?
Blue light, emitted by both the sun and digital devices, can have negative effects on the body's health. One of the most concerning aspects of blue light exposure is that it penetrates deep into the skin and can cause cellular changes.
Although for years, most warnings about premature skin aging and the development of skin cancer focused on prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays emitted by the sun, over the last decade, scientists have concluded that blue light also poses a concern.
Light is the main cue the human body uses to regulate its circadian rhythm. For a long time, the sun was the only source of illumination, which meant that once night fell, people could no longer carry out their basic activities and could rest. In this context, sleep cycles were well defined, and the body's biological clock functioned optimally.
With artificial lighting, people's schedules have changed, and exposure to blue light has increased significantly. Thus, we are not only exposed to visible light from the sun during the day, but whenever we use modern digital devices, which in turn emit blue light.
Table of Contents
What is blue light?
Light is made up of electromagnetic particles, called photons, which travel in waves. These wavelengths of visible and invisible light emit energy and are measured in nanometers (nm). Generally, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the energy.
Each wavelength is represented by a different color and is grouped into the following categories:
Together, these wavelengths make up the electromagnetic spectrum.
The human eye only perceives the visible light part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which ranges from 380 nm to 700 nm and is represented by the colors violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, and red.
Blue light, also known as high-energy visible light, has the shortest wavelength of visible light – between 380 nm and 500 nm – and therefore produces the greatest amount of energy.
Blue light has benefits for the proper functioning of the body, as it contributes to the regulation of the circadian rhythm. However, the risks associated with blue light exposure cannot be denied. On the one hand, blue light can affect sleep quality and can cause serious eye damage. On the other hand, it has a negative effect on skin health, causing premature aging.
Humans are naturally exposed to blue light emitted by the sun, but also artificially. Modern devices – from televisions, laptops, and tablets to smartphones – as well as lighting sources, such as LEDs and energy-efficient light bulbs, emit artificial blue light, which, in turn, can have negative effects on the body's health.
Negative effects of blue light on the skin
Excessive exposure to blue light affects the skin's barrier function, destroys collagen fibers, causes cellular dysfunction, and premature aging. The effects associated with blue light exposure include skin aging, by worsening wrinkles and fine lines, as well as the appearance of pigment spots.
Recent research has shown that blue light from modern devices can cause changes in skin cells, including their death. Even short-term exposures, up to 60 minutes, can trigger cellular changes. For this reason, the skin aging process is accelerated.
Although laptops, tablets, computers, and phones emit only low levels of blue light, long-term exposure has negative effects on the skin.
A 2020 international study shows that Romanians spend, on average, seven hours a day in front of computers, tablets, and smartphones.
In addition to the negative effects that blue light has on the skin, prolonged exposure to high-energy visible light can also affect eye health and influence sleep quality. For a restful sleep, it is recommended to stop blue light exposure one hour before bedtime.
Blue light affects the eyes
Blue light, whether from the sun or electronic devices, can cause eye fatigue. In the visible spectrum, blue light with wavelengths between 415 nm and 455 nm has been associated with the appearance of eye problems. This blue light, which produces a large amount of energy, passes through the cornea and lens to the retina, causing the appearance of eye conditions such as dry eye syndrome, cataracts, and macular degeneration.
Blue light influences sleep quality
Numerous studies have shown that blue light can help regulate the biological clock, positively influencing alertness, memory, and perception. Blue light stimulates melatonin secretion in the pineal gland, which can increase or decrease cortisol levels depending on the time of day, thus regulating the circadian rhythm. However, if blue light is in excess, especially at night when melatonin production is higher, sleep quality can be affected. Excessive exposure to blue light can stimulate brain activity, inhibit melatonin secretion, and increase the production of adrenocortical hormones, thus destroying hormonal balance and, implicitly, affecting sleep quality.
Blue light exposure: prevention and treatment
According to studies, prolonged exposure to blue light can cause the degradation of cutaneous carotenoids, those natural pigments with a photoprotective role, which protect the body from excessive light. Carotenoids also provide protection against blue light, which causes oxidative damage to the skin through the formation of free radicals.
The best way to prevent the negative effects of blue light on the skin is to use products with a sun protection factor of at least SPF 30 and broad-spectrum coverage, every day.
Since blue light contributes to the breakdown of collagen, it is advisable to apply skin care products that contain ingredients with antioxidant properties, such as vitamin C, to help fight against the oxidative stress that this visible light causes. Vitamin C protects the skin against damage caused by free radicals and can reduce hyperpigmentation, as it inhibits the production of melanin, and supports collagen production.
Also, cosmetic products containing Physalis fruit extract contribute to the restoration of collagen fibers. Physalis is a rich source of phytosterols and carotenoids, which protect the skin from the harmful action of blue light.
Therefore, blue light, although beneficial for regulating the circadian rhythm, can be harmful to health when in excess. Along with ultraviolet rays and pollution, blue light is among the factors that can trigger molecular processes that affect the skin's structure and cause its premature aging, by destroying collagen fibers and reducing elasticity and firmness.
Echipa Ivatherm
Conținutul IvaStories este creat de echipa Ivatherm, brand romanesc de dermatocosmetice fondat de Dr. Rucsandra Hurezeanu. Produsele Ivatherm sunt formulate cu Apă Termală Herculane și sunt testate dermatologic, recomandate de medici specialiști.