Blue light has become a hot topic in skincare due to our increasing exposure to digital screens and artificial lighting. Whilst everyone knows that UV rays cause skin damage, there is less awareness regarding effects of blue blue light. Unsurprisingly, the biggest attention has been around whether blue light can age the skin and the need for protection skincare. In this article, we’ll explore the effects of blue light on the skin and if it causes harm. We’ll also review the best ways to protect your skin from blue light exposure.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light, or high-energy visible (HEV) light, is a part of the visible light spectrum, with wavelengths between 400-500 nanometres. Historically, our blue light exposure was only from sunlight during daylight hours. It plays a role in helping regulate our circadian rhythms, which are essential for healthy sleep-wake cycles. Blue light treatment is also useful in controlled doses, such as in the treatment of neonatal jaundice. More recently, blue light therapy has found a place in dermatology to treat conditions like acne and skin infections. This is due to blue light’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
In recent years, our exposure to blue light has increased dramatically. This is due to the widespread use of digital devices like smartphones, laptops, tablets, LED lighting and televisions. These devices emit significant levels of blue light. Since many of us spend hours each day using them, our exposure to blue light is now at unprecedented levels. This has gone from just day light hours to often well into the evening or night. This prolonged exposure, particularly at close range, has raised questions. Namely whether blue light can damage our skin and accelerate aging. The research on this is still developing, but early studies suggest that blue light may harm the skin. This is sparking a new interest in understanding the broader impact of digital habits on our skin health. More importantly, how best to protect ourselves from potential harm.
Harmful Effects of Blue Light on Skin
Beyond the hype, its important to realise that unlike ultraviolet (UV) rays which have been extensively studied and linked to skin damage, we’re still gathering evidence with regards the effects of blue light. What we do know so far is that blue has both positive and negative effects on the skin. The main concerns regarding harm from blue light exposure to the skin are:
- Accelerated Skin Aging: There is evidence that blue light exposure does have potential to age your skin. In fact some studies suggest this may even be as much as UV damage. Studies have shown that blue light can penetrate the skin affecting the dermis layer. This can lead to oxidative stress, a process that generates free radicals. These damage the skin’s cells and breaks down collagen. Blue light exposure may also interfere with your natural sleep cycle. This means your cells may not get enough time to repair and regenerate at night. Over time, this all contributes to visible signs of aging, such as fine lines wrinkles and sagging skin.
- Hyperpigmentation: Research suggests that blue light can cause or exacerbate hyperpigmentation especially in those with darker skin tones. Blue light exposure stimulates melanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, leading to an increase in pigmentation. For people with dark skin, blue light exposure can worsen hyperpigmentation or cause uneven skin tone.
- Inflammation & Sensitivity: This one is a little controversial as blue light has anti-inflammatory properties. However, prolonged blue light exposure in people with sensitive skin can also trigger inflammation and heightened sensitivity. This leads to redness, irritation and a compromised skin barrier.
Should You Be Protecting Your Skin from Blue Light?
It is fair to ask given the increasing awareness around the potentially harmful effects of prolonged blue light exposure whether you need protection. The issue is that whilst we know there are damaging effects, what is less clear is what kind of exposure is most harmful and how long is “prolonged exposure”. The general thinking is that the blue light from the sun during the day is likely useful given its benefits in terms of regulating our sleep cycles. However, our digital devices emit blue light throughout the day and into the night which makes exposure continuous. We need more studies to fully understand the extent of blue light’s impact on skin and what safe and safe amounts of exposure are just like we have with UV light. In the time being however, it seems sensible to generally take precautions to reduce unnecessary exposure.
How to Protect Your Skin from Blue Light
There are a few common sense blue light protection measures you can take as part of your daily skincare to harm from excess exposure. These are especially useful for people who spend hours in front of screens each day or who work in artificial lighting environments or regular night shifts. If you are worried about the potential harm to your skin from blue light, here are our top skincare and protection tips:
- Sunscreen with Blue Light Protection: Modern sunscreens are often formulated to protect not just against UV rays but also HEV light, including blue light. When choosing a sunscreen, look for products that mention blue light protection on the label or contain ingredients like iron oxide, which has been shown to shield against blue light damage. Apply sunscreen daily (even indoors) and even at night if you regularly work night shifts in artificial lighting or in front of screens.
- Antioxidant-Rich Skincare: Since blue light causes oxidative stress in the skin, look for products rich in antioxidants, like vitamin C, niacinamide and vitamin E. Antioxidants work to neutralise free radicals and hence may counter the skin damage blue light causes at the cellular level.The best way to use these is in the form of an antioxidant serum or cream in your morning routine.
- Screen Filters & Device Settings: Applying blue light filters to your devices can also reduce the amount of blue light reaching your skin. Most smartphones, tablets, and computers now have “night mode” settings. This reduces blue light emissions by adjusting the screen’s colour temperature.
- Support Your Skin Barrier: As blue light can lead to irritation, try to reinforce your skin barrier to help minimise this effect espcially if you have sensitive skin. Look for a moisturiser or serum with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin and ceramides and skin soothers like licorice or marshallow root. to lock in moisture and help strengthen the skin barrier.
- Take Breaks from Screens: Of course, the simplest and most effective way to reduce blue light exposure is to limit your screen time. Take regular breaks using the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. This not only helps reduce blue light exposure but also eases digital eye strain.
So whilst there’s no need to panic yet, there is some evidence that blue light exposure can harm the skin and contribute to premature aging as well as hyperpigmentation However, blue light itself is not harmful and is needed for important biological functions in our bodies. Blue light skin treatments can also be very useful in conditions like acne. As such, it is worth taking a common sense appropach to protection and skincare in relation to blue light. The best way to protect your skin is to limit prolonged exposure. This may mean reducing screen time where possible, adjusting light settings, using screen protection tools and targeting your skincare routine.
At City Skin Clinic, we are super passionate about personalised skincare. Through our online skin clinic, our doctors offer safe and effective treatments using ingredients like Tretinoin and Hydroquinone where appropriate. We treat a range of skin conditions including acne, hyperpigmentation, melasma and skin ageing. To start your personalised skincare plan, book a virtual video consultation or use our online consultation form. The journey towards great skin starts here.
