Blue light: is it harmful to skin health?

What is blue light, anyway?

Blue light is emitted by natural sunlight. It makes up 7-10% of the sun’s radiation but is not seen by human eyes nor as visible light. Blue light is a portion of the visible light spectrum However, it is also artificial as it is used by all for electronic LED (Light-Emitting Diode)-lighting and smart devices, specifies Science Focus.

While the sun emits blue light at a low level but on a constant basis, artificial blue light is on the other hand diffused at a higher level. These days, blue light is all around us: in most of our lamps and in all screens including smartphones, computers, televisions, tablets, toys with screens, etc.

According to experts at Dermatology Conferences in Canada and to Brian Goodwin, international trainer for Eminence Organics, the population is “generally exposed to blue light for more than 13 hours per day” due to mobile phones, computer screens and television.

Dermatologists have good evidence to show that blue light triggers harmful effects on sleep and the retina causing :

• visual disorders,
• eye irritation and dryness,
• or even headaches after prolonged exposure.

So, one can wonder whether blue light has any effects on skin health. If so, how does it damage it?

 

Does blue light affect skin health?

Except for its harmful effects on sleep and vision, blue light has some special virtues including treating jaundice in children, under medical supervision, according to Nation Wide Childrens Organisation.

It is also prescribed as an anti-depressant remedy as part of light therapy.

However, blue light raises questions about its long-term effects on skin health. It has even been blamed for its contribution to skin ageing, “including wrinkles, increased skin laxity and hyperpigmentation”, describes Dermatologie Conferences.

Scientific research linked blue light exposure to pigment changes in people with darker skin.

The reason given is the overproduction of melasma (dark pigment of the skin), where the skin is stimulated to produce more pigment due to prolonged exposure to blue light. Age or dark spots start to appear, especially on phototypes type III and above (darker skin).

Again, according to Dermatologie Conferences, additional blue light effects damaging the skin have been identified including:

• A lower production of fibroblasts: these are the cells of the dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, which provide structure, strength, nutrition and flexibility to the skin;
• Oxidative stress of the epidermal cells, which increases wrinkling;

A lower production of collagen and elastin: two proteins responsible for the skin’s firmness and elasticity.

 

How to protect skin health from blue light effects?

With prolonged daily exposure to blue light increasing risks for skin conditions, more and more beauty products are being designed to reduce its effects on skin health.

Anti-blue light cosmetics dedicated to skincare, be it a face cream, a gel, a sun stick or an anti-pollution serum, aim to act as an anti-ageing protection against light rays and prevent skin cell damage.

To respond to the blue light skin problem, ALPOL Cosmetique, bespoke French manufacturer created a complete beauty routine to protect the skin from digital blue light pollution.

Example of its beauty routine cosmetic products: 

The combination of a daily skin care product made with antioxidant vitamin that moisturises  the skin + a sunscreen product (even with a low index) to block blue light and reduce oxidative stress on the skin.

This complete routine is ideal for preventing negative effects of blue light on the skin.
In addition, some of ALPOL Cosmétique’s skin care products may offer brightening and plumping formulas.