What Is Blue Light & How To Protect Your Skin From Its Damage
Sara is a pro-makeup artist who's been working with some…
There are a lot of talks these days about blue light and its dangers to our skin. But what is blue light, and why should you be protecting yourself from it? Here, we’ll answer those questions and more! We’ll discuss blue light and how to protect your skin from its damaging effects. So read on to learn more about blue light and how to keep your skin healthy!
What Is Blue Light?
Blue light is a type of visible light with a shorter wavelength than other colors on the visible light spectrum. This makes blue light more energetic and more likely to penetrate deep into our skin—which can lead to premature aging and skin damage.
How Does Blue Light Affect Our Skin?
When blue light penetrates deep into our skin, it causes inflammation and oxidative stress, which can lead to premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles. In addition, blue light can also disrupt our skin’s natural barrier, making us more susceptible to sun damage, dehydration, and other environmental aggressors.
How To Protect Your Skin?
Fortunately, there are several ways we can protect our skin from blue light damage.
- Wear sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide
The sun is not the only source of harmful UV rays that can harm our skin. In recent years, studies have found that blue light from electronic devices and energy-efficient lighting can also damage our skin and accelerate aging. So what can we do to protect ourselves? Wearing sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide can provide a barrier to UV and blue light rays. In addition to applying sunscreen, it’s essential to limit exposure to blue light by taking frequent breaks from screens and using blue light filters on devices when possible. Taking these simple precautions can help preserve the health of our skin for years to come.
- Use skincare products packed with antioxidants
When choosing skincare products, it is best to pick those that are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your skin by slowing down the production of free radicals that damage your skin cells. Antioxidants also neutralize free radicals caused by blue light by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural “off” switch for the free radicals. This helps break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body.
- Strengthen your skin barrier
Strengthening the skin barrier helps in reducing the harmful effects of blue light. Look for ingredients like niacinamide, which can actively help skin cells recover from oxidative stress and improve your skin barrier. Other good barrier-boosting ingredients are skin-friendly ceramides, fatty acids, and hyaluronic acid.
- Never skip your night cream
Add a night care cream and hyaluronic acid-rich serum to your night skincare routine. This keeps your skin hydrated and helps it repair itself from the damaged caused by the blue light.
- Limit your use of electronic devices
Along with UV radiation, blue light from electronic devices and energy-efficient lighting can cause damage to our skin. One of the best ways to protect ourselves is by limiting our use of these sources. When using electronic devices, take regular breaks and hold them at a distance from your face. Use dim lighting instead of energy-efficient options in your home or office, and opt for natural sunlight whenever possible. Taking these steps can help reduce the impact of blue light on our skin and prevent signs of aging in the long run. Additionally, make sure to use sunscreen daily to protect against both UV radiation and blue light. We can keep our skin healthy and protected by making some minor changes in our daily habits.
- Try blue light filters or eyewear:
Blue light, or the light emitted from electronic devices such as cell phones and computers, has been linked to skin damage and premature aging. One option to protect our skin from the harmful effects of blue light is to install a blue light filter on our devices. These filters help block out excess blue light, reducing its impact on our skin. Another option is to wear unique eyewear designed to block out blue light. These glasses can be worn while using electronic devices, offering protection for our eyes and skin. Taking precautions such as these can minimize the effects of blue light on our skin and keep ourselves looking youthful for longer.
Conclusion
Too much exposure to blue light can cause premature aging and skin damage. But there are several things we can do to protect ourselves—including wearing sunscreen, using antioxidants, and spending less time in front of screens.
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Sara is a pro-makeup artist who's been working with some of the biggest cosmetic brands. While makeup is Sara's passion, she also enjoys travelling the world to enrich her beauty career.