Not just the brain and eyes, the light emitted from digital devices can harm the skin as well. By Team Viva

It wasn’t too long ago when people realised the harmful effects of the UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun and started shielding their skin from its exposure. The fear of skin tanning and damage by these rays transformed the contours of conversation in the skincare industry. People started vouching for products such as sunscreens and face masks before stepping out in the sun. And that is largely the origin story behind all the anti-UVA and anti-UVB skincare products.

However, with the changing lifestyles today, if you think wearing sunscreen before stepping outside is enough to protect your skin from damage, you would only be partially right. There could be various other sources even indoors which could have devastating effects on our skin — the blue light emitted from digital devices.

So what is blue light? It is a colour in the visible light spectrum which can be seen by the human eyes. Experts suggest that although the rising dependence on technology and digital screens (on TVs, smartphones, computers, laptops and gaming systems) might have illuminated the evenings, but this could charge people a high price for basking in that light.

As per reports, visible blue light is one of the major skincare concerns as it contributes to premature-aging including wrinkles, worsening skin laxity and hyperpigmentation. Statistics indicate that with 60 per cent of people spending more than six hours a day on digital screens, the exposure to blue light from them is significantly higher than that from the sun. Blue light has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin as compared to UVA rays. While long-term exposure to the concentrated energy can cause colour changes, inflammation and weakening of the skin's surface, a constant exposure to these radiations can cause more pigmentation, redness and swelling as compared to UVA rays from the sun, as per studies.

Looking at the risk of getting pigmentation, dermatologists say that blue light could worsen or trigger it. One example of this is with a skin condition called ‘Melasma,’ which mainly effects women and has been thought to be caused by a combination of our hormones (which tend to flare during pregnancy or in women who take the pill) and exposure to UV light. There has been increasing evidence in recent years that blue light in particular might be provoking melasma or making it even harder to treat.

Recent statistics reveal that while 43 per cent of adults have a job that requires prolonged use of a tablet or computer, around 70 per cent of adults, who regularly use electronic devices, report symptoms of digital eye strain. While around 93 per cent of teens have access to or have a computer, at least 74 per cent of teens use electronic devices occasionally.

Given the perils of modern living, one cannot escape the screens completely. Listing a few skincare tips, Rahul Agarwal, CEO of a skincare brand, says, “Hence, measures to ensure safety of skin both indoors and outdoors is very crucial. It is advisable to wear a sunscreen that guards you from all the screens even while working indoors.”

He suggests that some chemical sunscreens now have extended protection to protect against various forms of visible light, and all physical sunscreens made up of titanium dioxide and zinc oxide do the same task.

Tips:

• Use blue light shields on your digital devices to limit the harmful effects.
• Use sunscreen with blue light technology when indoors and not just when you step out in the sun as 24x7 protection is required. Organic sunscreens using blue light technology with ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Kaolin Clay act as protective layer on the skin.
• Don't forget to go for wide-spectrum SPF.
• Dim the light on your phone and computer screens to lessen the impact of blue light or apply a filter, but this does not guarantee complete prevention of damage.
• Some smartphones also have the option to disable blue light in favour of yellow light (often called night mode) which is considered to be easier on the eyes — and in turn, the skin.