Blue Light and Skin Damage: Why Do We Need Protection From Screens?

In the 21st century, we have advanced in many fields whether it be administration, infrastructure, or technology. With advancements in each field, our screen time has also increased. Had it been work, entertainment, or socializing, exposure to various screens like television, laptops, or our cellphones has captured our whole day. But, do we actually realize it? 

No, right….. The amount of time spent in front of these screens drastically affects the skin, and prolonged exposure to blue lights, according to many studies, may cause damage to the skin, premature aging, or even other related skin complications. These blue lights penetrate much deeper than UVA and UVB rays into the skin. It is quite important to deeply understand the blue light and its implications on skin as we spend our maximum time on these only. 

Through this blog, we'll understand blue light damage to the skin, the importance of blue light protection skincare, how to use blue light filter skincare, and much more.

Understanding Blue Light

Blue light or High Energy Visible light (HEV) is a part of the visible light spectrum and usually, its wavelength ranges somewhere close to 400 to 490 nanometers. These blue lights are in general found in natural sunlight but they can also be seen on various digital screens like phones, tablets, etc. UVA and UVB rays have been researched over the years as to how they impact the skin but the concept of blue light or HEV is quite new and research is still going on. Research suggests that prolonged exposure to blue light, particularly from digital devices, can be as damaging to the skin as extended exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Both types of light contribute to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and oxidative stress, leading to skin damage over time.

How Blue Light Emitted From Screens Impacts The Skin Health?

Similar to UV rays, blue light can penetrate deep into the skin, triggering the production of free radicals. These free radicals cause oxidative stress, which accelerates skin aging and leads to issues like wrinkles, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. Moreover, these HEV lights decrease collagen production which affects skin elasticity and trigger the formation of wrinkles. Excessive exposure to blue light can also cause dark spots or severe inflammation on the skin. Some of the most common skin effects of blue light are:

• Premature Aging: One of the biggest impacts that blue light gives is premature aging. It penetrates deep into the skin, leading to decreased collagen production and elastin.  Both collagen and elastin help in maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness of the skin. Irregular collagen and elastin production hamper the overall appearance of the skin and trigger the appearance of:
• Fine lines and wrinkles
• Loose Skin
• Sagging skin

• Hyperpigmentation: Blue light is also associated with an increase in melanin production mainly in people who have darker skin tones. Disruption in melanin production leads to dark spots, uneven skin tone, and hyperpigmentation. The prolonged appearance of dark spots, dark patches, and hyperpigmentation is more challenging to treat and deal with. 

• Oxidative Stress and Free Radicals: Blue light initiates free radicals and these free radicals damage the skin cells, protein, and DNA. This damage induces premature aging and decreases the strength of the skin making it more susceptible to environmental aggressors.

• Redness and extreme irritation
• Extreme skin sensitivity
• Popping up of acne

• Digital Skin Strain:  Just as there is a concept called digital eye strain, the presence of another term is called digital skin strain. This strain occurs due to the stress and damage that the skin experiences during sitting hours, which are quite long in front of a screen where blue light is constantly present.  The problems caused by a digital strain mostly include the following:
• Pale and dull skin
• Extreme dryness and dehydration

Stay Young with Screen Time: Blue Light Protection and Blocking Products for Glowing Skin

For blue light aging prevention it is very essential and crucial to look for skincare products that contain ingredients that have protective and shielding properties. Some of the most commonly used blue light skincare protection are as follows:

1. Iron Oxide: Iron oxides are minerals naturally found in nature. They are mainly used in cosmetics, specifically to give color properties to foundation, moisturizers, and sunscreens.

What it does: Iron Oxide sunscreens are primarily designed to protect skin from UV rays. However, a more significant benefit to users is protection from visible light and blue light coming from screen time.

Why it is important: People suffering from hyperpigmentation issues like melasma or who are exposed more to blue light need iron oxide in their skincare, as it offers a layer of protection. It is also helpful in color cosmetics for offering even coverage and sun protection. 

Fixderma Shadow Rx Tinted Sunscreen for Face SPF 50

• Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides (CI77499 & CI77491 & CI 77492), Cetearyl Alcohol & Ceteareth-20, Dicaprylyl Carbonate.

• Benefits: It absorbs and protects against UVA and UVB radiations. Helps protect the skin from visible lights which may cause skin conditions like melasma, hyperpigmentation, etc.

1. Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): It is a water-soluble form of Vitamin B3, majorly found in skincare products because of its various benefits.

What it does: 

1. Acts as a barrier for the skin: Niacinamide reinforces the personality of the skin, builds up, and fortifies it. It improves ceramide production and prevents water loss.
2. Anti-inflammatory action: This ingredient exudes an anti-inflammatory nature that tends to reduce cases of acne, rosacea, and even similar skin conditions.
3. It brightens the skin: Niacinamide possesses melanin that fades off dark spots and hyperpigmentation over time.
4. It helps in fine lines and wrinkles: It works on collagen production which in turn helps reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Why it is important: It helps in maintaining skin oil production and reduces pigmentation, and that is basically maintaining your healthy skin. It is highly recommended for sensitive skin types as it shows great results in it. 

Fixderma Skarfix-TX Face Cleanser

• Key Ingredients: Tranexamic Acid, Kojic Acid, Niacinamide, and Phytic Acid
• Benefits: This cleanser is perfect for treating melasma and uneven skin tone. This cleanser minimizes the appearance of Melasma, PIH, and hyperpigmentation. 

• Antioxidants (Vitamin C, E): Vitamin C and E manage free radicles as these molecules hamper the skin cells and lead rapidly towards skin aging. 

What they do:

3) Vitamin C: 

• It causes whitening of skin complexion and eradicates dark spots by regulating melanin production.
• It increases the production of collagen which supports elasticity in the skin and gets rid of wrinkles.
• Defends against environmental aggressors: Antioxidants guard the skin against environmental aggressors such as oxidative stress and other issues.

Fixderma Vitamin C Foaming Face Cleanser

• Key Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Sodium Cocoyl Glycinate, Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids, Propanediol, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract
• Benefits: This vitamin C foaming face cleanser comprises 3-0-Ethyl-L-Ascorbic acid. It acts as an antioxidant, skin brightener, and also as a collagen booster. 

4) Vitamin E:

• Great Moisturizer: Vitamin E has been noted as one of the finest moisturizers since it provides enough water supply to the skin.
• Acts as a shield against healing: This protects the skin from UV radiation and the other effects of the environment.

Why they are important: Antioxidants such as Vitamin C and E prevent early aging or in other words, create fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation for the skin. That keeps and makes the skin young and bright lies in the antioxidants in the skin

Fixderma Cleovera Cica Cream

• Key ingredients: GOTU KOLA being an anti-inflammatory agent fight against oxidative stress happening in the wound healing process. Vitamins A and E have antioxidants that prevent free radicals from attacking the skin as well as other environmental influences. Vitamin A will work towards removing fine lines and wrinkles, whereas Vitamin E tends to moisturize which assists the system in holding and even retaining the feel and texture of skin, with that it keeps a more even tone.

• Benefits:  It is a very useful cream because it provides extremely wonderful advantages to the skin. Advanced Cream Hydrates and Nourishes It gives the person a healthy and radiant-looking complexion.

Do not Let Your Devices Take Away Your Glow: Why Blue Light-Blocking Products Matter

Blue light-blocking products are relatively important. They protect our skin and eyes against damaging blue lights that most of the population emits from their devices smartphones, laptops, etc, and even some LED lights. Let’s look at some importance of blue light-blocking products:

• Overexposure to the digital medium: With the increase in screen time from different mediums people are very much exposed to blue light which increases the damage to the skin very deeply. Digital aging these days is becoming quite popular so implementing blue light protection in skincare routine is quite mandatory. 

• Minimizing Hyperpigmentation: Blue light affects the pigmentation very severely mainly someone who has darker skin tones. Using blue light-blocking products is quite essential to prevent conditions like melasma, etc.

• Aging Prevention: Blue light leads to premature aging which causes wrinkles and fine lines. Blue light-blocking products help slow down these processes and make you look young and glowing.

Glow in Digital Age: Build Your Blue Light Skincare Routine

Implementing and following a blue light skincare routine into your daily habits will minimize or reduce the effect of blue light on your skin. Follow this step-by-step skincare routine 

• Cleanser: Start the procedure with a gentle skincare to remove dirt and access oils. Ensure to look for a cleanser which has antioxidants as they prepare the skin for digital screen skin protection.

• Toner: Using a hydrating toner will help to maintain the skin's pH and will refresh your skin. Always opt for toner that has niacinamide which helps to reduce the inflammation that is caused by blue light exposure skin.

• Serum: Go for anti-blue light serums which are rich in vitamins C and E. These serum helps to deal with any damage caused by blue light and provide extra hydration.

• Moisturizer: Ensure to seal your serum with a moisturizer that comprises iron oxide or some other blue-light-blocking items. Moisturizer helps to prevent further blue-light skin damage. 

• Blue Light sunscreen: Lastly implement blue light sunscreen which offers a broad range of coverage against UVA, UVB, and of course blue light. Applying sunscreen daily, even indoors will help in preventing blue light aging prevention and also offers screen time skin protection
• While selecting the blue light sunscreen ensure to consider a few factors i.e.
• Ensure that the sunscreen offers broad coverage and protection from UV and blue light rays.
•  Use more tinted sunscreen as it offers great protection against blue light.
• Blue light exposure is not restricted to the outside as it can happen inside also so applying blue light sunscreen daily will offer continuous protection.

Sunscreens with higher SPF often feel greasy and can make the face excessively shiny. They may also clog pores, leading to acne. To tackle these drawbacks, Fixderma is introducing Shadow Rx SPF 50 Cream which offers broad-spectrum protection against UV rays, blue light, and pollution.

Skin in the Digital Age: How to Reduce or Minimize Blue Light Harm

One certainly requires blue light filter skin care, and along with that comes a few sure habits you can opt to reduce the impact of blue light on your skin.

• Reduce screen time: Finally, take a break from the screen, and exercise the 20-20-20 rule: look 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

• Using a blue light filter. This may be done through another added blue light filter installed in your smartphone, pad, or even your laptop, which can reduce and limit the exposure triggered by HEV-induced skin damage.

• Setup the Workplace Mindfully: The workplace should be arranged in such a manner that more natural light is there compared to artificial lights which help in reducing blue light exposure to the skin. 

Conclusion:

Along with a heightened amount of dependency on the screens, damage to the skin due to blue light is also progressing. The more time spent in front of the screen, the higher your chances of getting early aging along with hyperpigmentation and other issues. To prevent this harm to the skin, the daily skincare regime should not miss out on blue light protector skincare products like anti-blue light serum and blue light sunscreen along with blue light filter skincare.

Well, with some simple changes in the blue light skincare routine, you can protect your skin from such harm and maintain its youthful appearance in this digital age.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

You can protect your skin simply by using antioxidants like vitamin C, and niacinamide, which neutralizes free radicals caused by blue light. Also, include sunscreen that comprises blue light filters or zinc oxide.

UV lights mainly affect the outer skin causing skin burns, DNA damage, etc. Whereas blue light penetrates deep inside the skin which causes oxidative stress, and pigmentation. 

Yes, excessive blue light exposure will lead to premature skin aging and will also lead to fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. It can also cause excessive redness and skin inflammation.