The Truth about Blue Light and Aging

By now, we have all heard of the problems with digital eye strain, but were you aware that the blue light from our digital devices may be damaging your skin?

Blue light is natural, but with the increased use of digital devices we are getting far more of it than what you would get from the sun. Now studies are showing strong evidence that the blue digital light emitting from our phones is causing redness, photo-aging (pigmentation), and increased laxicity (wrinkles). Yikes!

How is this happening? Blue light penetrates the skin causing reactive oxygen species (oxidants) which lead to damage to the skin's DNA similar to UVA and UVB rays. Not all blue light is bad; it helps with our circadian rhythm (sleep-wake cycle), mood, and potentially even memory. Too much Blue Light, in the most basic of terms, makes our skin degenerate as if it was rusting.

We know that blue light damages our skin, but studies are still being done to show how much we need to worry about the blue light emitted from our digital devices. That said, major medical skincare companies are already adding ingredients into their lines to protect against blue light.

Special filters and screen protectors are available for your devices as a quick and easy fix to protect your skin and eyes from blue light damage. Keep a lookout for products that have added ingredients like Theobroma cacao seed extract (blue light protection) and Alteramonas ferment extract (environmental pollution protection) are finding their way in many formulations which have the added benefit of protection from pollution making it a wise choice for city dwellers.