Is your smartphone damaging your skin? The harmful effects of blue light can be just as harmful as photodamage from the sun. Make sure you know how to protect your skin from premature ageing due to blue light, using our simple tips below.
With many of us spending more time indoors now that the autumn weather has well and truly set in, remember that the blue light from your smartphone and computer can be as adverse on your skin as the sun’s rays
Blue light – how it causes premature ageing
Blue light is the light emitted from devices like our smartphones, tablets, TVs and laptop screens. The proximity you have to these devices is a big factor in how fast it causes skin damage, and as we’re spending so much more time on our smartphone (which we tend to hold close up to our faces) this is probably the one to be most concerned about.
The way in which blue light causes skin damage differs from UV causes harm. UV light causes direct damage to the DNA of cells, whilst blue light deteriorates collagen with oxidative stress.
When skin is exposed to blue light, a naturally existing chemical called flavin absorbs the light, including a reaction that creates free radicals. Put simply, blue light perforates collagen, leading to pigmentation, lines, wrinkles, and skin dullness.
Blue light-proof your skin!
Some of our top tips for giving your skin a defence against the harmful effects of blue light include:
Adjust the lighting on your devices
As humans, we’re not that great at judging or determining whether something is too bright for us, as the pupils are extremely adept at adapting to the light. This can be problematic with blue light, leading you to think your devices aren’t that bright. If you can, try to set the light on your devices like smartphones and computers to 50% and limit the time you spend on them each day.
Swap out your LED bulbs
LED bulbs are also an emitter of blue light, and during the winter months it’s common to have multiple lights lit (in a bid to try to replicate some sunshine indoors!) Try to swap out some of your LED bulbs for counterparts that give out less intensive blue light.
Use vitamin C in your skincare
Vitamin C is an excellent tonic for repairing free radical damage – it should be a daily defence if you’re routinely exposed to blue light. Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that induces collagen synthesis and brightens skin affected by free radical damage.
Wear sunscreen
It may feel bizarre to wear SPF indoors, but it really is necessary, as it will give your skin an extra line of defence against blue light (just as it does versus UV). A sunscreen containing iron oxides is the way to go, as iron oxide transmits less light and offers more powerful photoprotection than sunscreen formulations containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.