Blue Light and Your Skin

Let’s face it: screens are a major part of our lives, and they’re not going anywhere. On a typical day, you likely spend a great deal of time at the computer, on your phone or with an iPad or Kindle, not to mention the TV. You’re reading this very post on your phone or computer! While technology is amazing and has given us so much, it can also have some less-than-fun side effects, including increased exposure to blue light. 

But what is blue light, anyway? 

You’ve probably heard about it, but do you know what it does and where it’s found? Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and has a short, fast wavelength. It’s all around us, and its most common sources are the sun, digital devices like your phone and computer and LED lights — AKA everywhere. 

What can it do to your body? 

While blue light isn’t something you need to majorly worry about, blue light can influence your sleep patterns because it disrupts your body’s production of melatonin. It’s still being studied, but blue light has also been noted to visibly stress out skin, including increased fine lines and wrinkles, general inflammation and redness, and increased levels of free radicals. Free radicals can lead to early aging and decreased collagen production. 

What can we do to protect our skin?

Because we spend hours and hours of our days on devices, we’re much more exposed to blue light than we were even a decade ago. If you’re concerned about its potential effects on your skin, try protecting it with a daily moisturizer from Eminence Organics; the brand recommends trying their Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer, which contains hardworking peptides and antioxidants to filter and fight free radicals, plus SPF 40. Never let a day go by without sunscreen, and remember that UV protection is just as important as blue light protection. 

We also love Image Skincare’s products, which actually contain a special blend of ingredients they call their Digital Aging Defense Technology to help shield skin from blue light exposure. Its hero is hydrolyzed pea protein, which can help protect skin from blue light. Genius, right? And as always, if you’ve got questions, your Cole’s esthetician can help guide you with services and products that are right for you, your skin and your lifestyle.

Does blue light affect anything else?

As for the rest of your body, if you’re noticing eye strain, headaches or tiredness during the work day, it might be worth trying blue light glasses to help filter some of the light during your work day or when you unwind with TV or an e-book. Their efficiency hasn’t been 100% proven yet, but if you have concerns, let your eye doc know or try an inexpensive pair from Amazon to start.

Reduce your exposure to blue light at night and get better sleep by switching your phone or tablet to night mode and saying goodnight to devices about 30 minutes before bed. Instagram can wait until morning! A good night’s sleep is so important to your overall well-being, not to mention the important repair and regeneration your skin goes through while you snooze.

There’s a reason they call it beauty sleep!