Can Blue Light Cause Wrinkles?
In the modern world, we spend A LOT of time in front of screens. Whether it is working in front of your computer all day, scrolling on your phone, or watching TV at night, estimates put the average screen time of an American adult at anywhere from 7-13 hours per day.
You have probably heard a lot of talk about blue light recently, too. Blue light is a type of light that is emitted from electronic screens, like your computer, TV, tablet, or phone. All of these sources of entertainment are also sources of blue light. Is all of this blue light bad for your health? And what effect does it have on your skin?
What is Blue Light
Blue light, also referred to as High Energy Visible or HEV light, occurs in nature (mostly from the sun) and is a part of the visible spectrum of light. Compared with the other colors of visible light, blue light has a shorter wavelength, meaning it produces more energy.
This puts it close to, but not in, the ultraviolet part of the spectrum of light. Ultraviolet light is light we cannot see (“below-violet”), and it is the type of light that causes sunburn and skin damage (UVA and UVB). We have a great deal of research regarding the negative effects of UVA and UVB light, but this is not the case with blue light. However, new evidence is beginning to show that blue light can be detrimental to our health.
How Blue Light is Damaging Your Skin
Blue light can damage your skin directly or indirectly. But either way, the result can mean fine lines, wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation.
Free Radicals & Collagen
Blue light actually penetrates deeper into the skin than UV rays. Within the skin is a chemical called flavin, which quickly absorbs it. During the absorption process, free radicals are produced. These unstable oxygen molecules introduce oxidative stress into the skin, which can damage collagen.
A loss of collagen is known to result in a breakdown in the supportive structure under the skin, meaning fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. While there is very little research to confirm a direct connection between blue light and collagen loss, the mechanisms involved are well-known, so it is certainly possible that excess blue light could cause premature aging.
Sleep Problems
A benefit of natural blue light is that it uses the sun to regulate our sleep-wake cycles. Too much blue light at night, and you may not produce the right amount of melatonin for a good night’s sleep.
Not getting enough sleep over time can impact the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in premature aging, such as wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. In addition, lack of sleep is connected to inflammation, which can also impact collagen production, as well as make skin appear puffy and swollen.
Damage to Your Eyes
Excessive exposure to blue light can lead to impaired vision. It has been connected to age-related macular degeneration, eye cancer, and cataracts. Vision difficulty means squinting, which exacerbates lines and wrinkles.
Hyperpigmentation
Blue light has more recently been linked to hyperpigmentation of the skin. Blue light appears to affect the production of melanin within the skin, leading to discoloration. This is simal to age spots, which are caused by sun exposure.
How to Counteract Blue Light Skin Damage
The jury is still out on exactly how much damage blue light does to our health. However, it is probably better to be safe and protect your skin.
- Blue light filters. Blue light filtering apps, dark mode, and night mode features on your device reduce the amount of blue light emitted.
- Sunscreen. Most sunscreens do not protect against blue light, but some sunscreens are specially formulated to include blue light protection. Our online store has multiple options for blue light-blocking sunscreen.
- Professional treatments. If you have a loss of collagen that has resulted in wrinkles and other signs of aging, there are treatments available. Botox and Dysport are injectables used to reduce crow’s feet and other wrinkles. Venus Viva skin resurfacing is a minimally invasive that uses radio frequency to rebuild collagen within the skin to smooth wrinkles and reduce hyperpigmentation.
If you are interested in one of these collagen-boosting treatments to combat wrinkles or other signs of aging, contact our office to schedule a consult!
