How much damage does blue light from screens do to your skin?

Among many of the reasons why you should limit the use of technological devices, add that your skin may be aging.

We all know that the screens of our cell phones, computers or televisions are not so good for us , either because of the hours we dedicate to them or because of the damage they cause to our eyesight, how they ruin our sleep patterns and how they shorten our concentration. But as if this were not enough, the latest research could make every selfie addict panic (insert scared emoji), because according to experts, the light from the screens could be harmful to our skin.

The alleged culprit is the high-energy visible light (also known as blue light) emitted by our devices, which they claim could have aging effects similar to those of sun exposure. As we well know how harmful UV rays from the sun are (causing cancer and other skin disorders), scientists have dedicated themselves to discovering the effects that these other types of light can have on our skin. The idea that this could be causing permanent damage to our faces is, frankly, a nightmare.

 

 

 

If you used to think that UV rays were the only external cause that caused age spots, think again, as more and more researchers, phototherapists and dermatologists agree that blue light can emit infrared radiation and therefore could have harmful effects on the skin including premature aging by releasing free radicals that damage cells . In addition, experts say that the blue light reaches the bottom of the second layer of the skin, the dermis, where everything good is found: collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Of course, it is necessary to clarify that at the moment there is not enough evidence to affirm that it causes skin cancer, making it less harmful than UV rays.

 

However, many experts agree that while blue light is just another marketing opportunity for some skincare companies, they still insist that it could indeed be a source of premature aging and given the time we spend In front of the screens, the exhibition should concern us, and all of us! Not only the generation of selfies .

But, except for giving up all technology and taking refuge in a forest, how can we protect ourselves? The ideal is to take care of the skin with antioxidants such as vitamin C serum and mineral sunscreens that contain zinc oxide and / or titanium dioxide. Makeup can also act as a barrier between our skin and blue light or other infrared energies emitted by modern devices. However, it is clear that the best way to protect yourself from the effects of blue light is to limit your exposure.

So yes, now we can add this phenomenon called "screen face" to the list of afflictions supposedly caused by our dependence on digital technology , along with "text neck" (the wrinkles on the neck from looking at the cell phone) and "cellphone elbow ” (Pain in the elbow from holding the cell phone).