Is The Blue Light From Phones and Computers Damaging Your Skin and Eyes?
How much has your screen time increased since you've been social distancing? If you are anything like most of us actively trying to "flatten the curve," you've probably increased by double digits. Between keeping up with the news, working, staying in contact with friends and family via FaceTime, WhatsApp, and Zoom, and aimlessly thumbing through Instagram and Tiktok, it's easy to spend 10-12 hours every day staring at a screen. One potential beauty-related downside of all that screen time is the exposure to blue light.
What is blue light?
The sun emits a broad spectrum of red, green, and blue light. During daylight hours, the blue light of the sun helps with alertness, focus, regulating our sleep pattern (circadian rhythm), and boosting our mood. (Have you noticed how crappy you can feel on cloudy days?) Blue light has a wavelength of between 400 and 450 nanometers and a higher concentration of energy than the other forms of light. However, with the advent of electricity and the lightbulb, we are exposed to blue light for extended periods. Blue light is emitted from LED light bulbs, computer screens, smartphones, tablets, and more.
How Does Blue Light Affect the Skin?
"It was established that the long‐term exposure to light‐emitting‐diode‐generated blue light (LED‐BL) from electronic devices seems to have a relevant implication in the molecular mechanisms of premature photoaging." Simply, blue light induces premature aging. The abstract states that in a controlled study, they were able to prove that blue light breaks down the peptide bonds in collagen and elastin. According to Dr. Sabrina Fabi. "visible light, including blue light like that emitted by phones and devices, is particularly insidious, because it penetrates deeper than some forms of ultraviolet light, down into the third layer of the skin, accelerating the visible signs of aging, such as dark spots, wrinkles, and saggy or loose skin." Collagen and elastin are the main structural proteins in the skin. Collagen gives skin its firmness and plumpness, and while elastin helps to keep skin tight. Both reduce as we age, hence skin sagging and wrinkling. The research is showing that prolonged unprotected exposure to blue light, like UV rays, is speeding along that process. Yikes!
How Does Blue Light Affect the Eyes?
We are exposed to blue light from the sun, which is more intense than the blue light from LED light sources, our computer and phone screens. That is, according to Optometrist, Dr. Joseph J. Pizzimenti. He goes on to say that, "blue light from the sun is intense enough to actually damage various tissues that make up the eye, including the retina […] Blue light emitted from screens, LEDs, etc. is typically not intense enough to damage the tissues, but prolonged and frequent exposure may result in digital eye strain." Long term exposure from the intense blue light from the sun has been linked to cataract, macular degeneration, and more. As of now, less extreme forms of blue light has not yet been conclusively linked to any disease of the eyes.
Tips to Help Protect Eyes From Blue Light:
Wear protective glasses or use a screen protector that filters out blue light.
According to Dr. Pizzimenti, you should “visit your Doctor of Optometry regularly, at least once per year, for comprehensive eye health and vision examination.
Set up an optimal work environment (little to no glare on the screen, the screen is about 20-28 inches away and slightly below eye level. Position the computer screen to avoid glare, particularly from overhead lighting or windows.
Adjust the color temperature screen setting to reduce the amount of "blue" color emitted from the screen. Reducing the blue light emitting from your screen helps lower the risk of sleep disruption.
Follow the 20-20-20 rule (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds).
Support your eye's natural protection against blue light emitted by screens with EyePromise® Screen Shield™ Pro or Screen Shield Teen
Stay away from screens and devices at least 1 hour before bed.
We are all dealing with a lot right now, but the hope is that soon we will emerge from isolation. I don't know about you, but I don't want to reemerge having damaged my skin and eyes because of phone and computer overuse. Prior to the lockdown, the biggest premature ager there was to worry about was the sun. To prevent that, we slathered on sunscreen with an SPF value of 30 or higher, wore protective eyewear and clothing when possible. We are inside, we don't have to worry as much about sun exposure, but we need to focus on is our blue light exposure. I'm obviously not suggesting that we give up our screens (there would be riots in the streets), what I am suggesting is that we protect ourselves as best we can.
We know how much sun protection we get from our sunscreen based on the SPF level, but how do we know how much protection we are getting from blue light? According to the herbalist, Courtney Brennan, "there isn't really a formal scale measuring the protection factor against blue light in a way that can be compared to the SPF system for UV light. I would love to see things going in this direction as we better understand and observe this pattern of abuse and recovery."
Like sun damage, the damage from blue light is cumulative. Dr. Pizzimenti, states, "it has been shown that while the physical effects of blue light are very seldom felt, the degradation penetrates deeper into the layers of the skin than UVA and UVB rays, with similar effects: hyperpigmentation, dehydration, and glycation (the formation of inelastic collagen). Furthermore, Courtney Brennan, states "the more oxidative stress the skin endures, no matter the cause, the quicker the degradation of otherwise healthy skin cells. It's a cumulative process that is happening every day - and it's happening now more than ever.”
Here are some products I found with claims to help protect eyes and skin from the effects of blue light:
Cat Eye Day Swannies Blue Light Blocking Glasses (swanwicksleep.com, $99. Save 10% when you FACEFLAWLESS)
Swannies — These Blue light blocking glasses (for women, children, and men) were designed "to help people across the world improve their sleep quality and live more fulfilling lives." In addition to helping you to sleep better at night, Swannies help to prevent sore eyes and reduce headaches, fatigue, and blurred vision associated with digital eye strain. (Love the look of these — Use code FACEFLAWLESS to save 10%.)
EyePromise Screen Shield Pro — is an eye health supplement designed to help decrease eye strain by lessening the impact of harmful blue light from screens, improve overall eye health by supporting the natural function of your eye and provide lasting protection from the inside out. It includes several vitamins, Omegas, botanical extracts, and more that are proven to have a positive impact on eye health. It’s also available in EyePromise Screen Shield Teen ($19.99). (Amazon.com, $35)
Revision C+ Correcting Complex 30%™ - uses a 30% concentration of pure THD Ascorbate, patent-pending MelaPATH™ technology, and an exclusive blend of antioxidants to correct existing damage and defend skin against environmental aggressors. (Amazon.com , $160)
SkinMedica Lumivive Day + Night - Is a two-step system that provides full atmospheric protection against environmental attacks, including blue light and pollution, while giving the skin what it needs to repair itself at night. (Amazon.com, $265)
Haoma Preservation Day Cream with CBD & Turmeric - a luxe cream with Vitamin C rich Amalaki, evens skin tone and promotes cell growth. Malachite, rich in Manganese, Copper, Selenium and Zinc protects against blue digital light and air pollution. (neimanmarcus.com, $110)
Glo Skin Beauty Eye Restore — is described as a "protective eye cream for the digital age." It uses BV-OSC, a stable Vitamin C ester, to deliver vitamin C into cells, which brightens, strengthens, and improves the look of the eye area. According to the manufacturer, BV-OSC "has been tested in vitro and has shown to be 50 times more effective than Ascorbic Acid to deliver Vitamin C into cells." (Amazon.com, $44)
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