Are Your Screens Damaging Your Skin? Start Doing This Today!

Are your computer, tablet and cell phone screens damaging your skin?

ContentsScreens that damage your skin: what happens?It goes deeper than you thinkIt can cause dark spots and uneven skin toneIt accelerates the signs of agingIt can increase inflammationIt disrupts your circadian rhythmIt’s everywhereScreens that damage your skin: how to repair and protect your skinA. Adjust your lifestyle and tech habitsB. Protect and repair your skinScreens that damage your skin: we’re still learning

It’s a terrible thought, especially since we use our technological gadgets all the time these days. From sunrise to sunset we check our phones, use our computers at work and scroll through our tablets in the evening. Our eyes and skin are therefore exposed to more light than ever before.

We all know the damage the sun’s ultraviolet rays can do to our skin. But how often do we think that our phone screens could do the same? And yet, research is beginning to show that this constant exposure to blue light (also called high-energy visible or HEV light) can silently contribute to skin damage.

In one laboratory test, For example, researchers found that exposure to blue light resulted in signs of skin barrier degradation and cellular stress. The harmful effects include biomarkers of photoaging, inflammation and cell loss.

In another recent studyresearchers found that “exposure to blue light can affect the function of the skin barrier and impact skin health and related conditions.”

So it becomes clear that staring at our screens all day is not good for our skin. Below we explain exactly what’s going on here, and then give you practical steps you can take today to protect and repair your skin.

Screens that damage your skin: what happens?

Imagine wearing your skin like a jacket all day long. Every time you are exposed to certain types of light, including sunlight, room lighting, and light from your screens, your skin experiences invisible stress. Over time, even small tensions can build up.

It goes deeper than you think

Blue light, originating from screens and LED lamps, has a short wavelength of approximately 400-500 nanometers. This allows it to penetrate deeper into your skin, all the way to the layer where collagen and elastin live. These are the proteins that keep your skin firm and supple.

Once that blue light gets in there, it can create unstable molecules called free radicals. These knock around and damage your skin cells. Studies show This process, called ‘oxidative stress’, can weaken healthy skin over time.

.ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b:active, .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b .postTitle { color:#9B59B6; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .ucf428c52c8e43a5f03631b23ce9b865b:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } See alsoBreast cancer screening recommendations: the latest updates you need to know

It can cause dark spots and uneven skin tone

A growing body of research shows that blue light, as well as regular visible light, can cause hyperpigmentation and dark spots. One studyFor example, repeated exposure to blue light was found to cause visible pigmentation in women.

The exposure in the lab is stronger than that of a regular smartphone or laptop, but the mechanism is clear and suggests that extended screen time can contribute to uneven skin tone, especially in sensitive skin.

It accelerates the signs of aging

Because blue light creates free radicals and oxidation, it can break down the proteins that keep your skin youthful. Over time, this can lead to accelerated aging, including the development of fine lines, sagging or dullness, even if you spend most of the day indoors.

In one reviewResearchers say there is growing evidence that blue light can cause inflammation, dark spots and premature aging. “Although blue light has been present in our lives for decades,” the researchers wrote, “this type of visible light has recently become a topic of great interest as we spend a greater percentage of our time with light-emitting devices.”

Another laboratory test discovered that blue light activates certain enzymes that actually destroy collagen! Blue light can also damage the genetic material (DNA) in your skin cells, potentially leading to long-term cellular dysfunction.

It can increase inflammation

Your skin can respond to blue light exposure by becoming inflamed, which can lead to redness and irritation, and worsen conditions such as acne. In one 2023 studyResearchers found that when blue light causes oxidation, it causes inflammation, exacerbating the breakdown of skin structures.

It disrupts your circadian rhythm

Exposure to blue light at night disrupts your body’s internal clock, which can affect how your skin repairs itself at night. At night, your skin focuses on repairing the damage caused to the skin during the day. For example, optimal DNA repair occurs when you sleep well.

One study found that night shift workers had lower levels of DNA repair compared to a control group, suggesting that circadian rhythm disruption affects the body’s ability to perform DNA repair in the skin.

It’s everywhere

This is where “blue light burnout” really comes into its own. We are no longer exposed to this light only occasionally. Blue light comes from our phones and computers, but also from the ceiling lights in our homes, our tablets and our televisions. Even worse, many newer screens often use brighter, bluer light to look brighter and more vibrant.

.u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b:active, .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b .postTitle { color:#9B59B6; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u2a85c5a284c6a4b7df226ce078558f4b:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } See alsoWinter Skin Rescue: Foundation for Dry Skin

One review pointed out that modern life has completely changed the amount of blue light we are exposed to every day. In all likelihood, your skin probably absorbs much more blue light than was common twenty years ago.

Screens that damage your skin: how to repair and protect your skin

Fortunately, we can do something about this. Below are several steps you can take to protect and repair your skin.

A. Adjust your lifestyle and tech habits

If it’s possible, try itreduce your uninterrupted screen time. For example, use a printed book instead of an e-book, or print something out if you’re going to spend a lot of time reading it.

At the very least,try to avoid using your devices at nightat least one hour (two is better) before bed so they are less likely to disrupt your circadian rhythm. Giving your skin a day off on the weekend can also help, especially if it’s showing signs of fatigue.

Then usescreen filters and night modewhere possible. You can purchase blue light screen filters and protectors to place on your devices to reduce your exposure. Next, check the night mode options on your devices. Many of these allow you to move the screen to warmer tones (less blue), which reduces blue light emissions.

Check your mood lighting in your home and office.If you use LED or fluorescent lamps, consider lamps with a warmer color temperature, or position yourself so that the light is not directly on your face. It is ideal to place floor lamps behind you while you work.

Finally,take regular breaks from your screens. Treat your skin like you would your eyes: get up and walk away every 30-60 minutes. If you can, go outside and breathe some fresh air before returning.

B. Protect and repair your skin

You can adjust your tech habits, but it’s unlikely you’ll be away from your devices for long. That means you want to do everything you can to help your skin heal, but also to help protect it from blue light.

Start atusing a daily sunscreenwhich mainly consists of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. These mineral sunscreens appear to help reduce light-induced pigmentation, even from blue light.

.u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947 { padding:0px; margin: 0; padding-top:1em!important; padding-bottom:1em!important; width:100%; display: block; font-weight:bold; background-color:#eaeaea; border:0!important; border-left:4px solid #34495E!important; text-decoration:none; } .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947:active, .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; text-decoration:none; } .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947 { transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; } .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947 .ctaText { font-weight:bold; color:#464646; text-decoration:none; font-size: 16px; } .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947 .postTitle { color:#9B59B6; text-decoration: underline!important; font-size: 16px; } .u33f3b675bf43c2fc7ffb68cbb90db947:hover .postTitle { text-decoration: underline!important; } See also34 homemade DIY sugar scrub recipes for natural skin care

Next,use a moisturizer daily that restores the barrier.Blue light generates free radicals, so you need a serum and moisturizer that contain antioxidants. Look for ingredients like vitamins C and E, niacinamide, ceramides and peptides.

Our CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture is packed with antioxidants, ceramides and skin-nourishing, barrier-protecting ingredients. It contains our powerful Tri-Rescue complex that soothes inflammation and restores skin’s health and glow. Calming Moisture has been specially developed for sensitive skin and can strengthen and support the recovery of the skin barrier. When your barrier is strong, it is better able to handle blue light exposure.

Here’s an additional tip:Use ourRescue and relief spraylike a screen break mid-day.It helps soothe inflammation while returning moisture to your skin, giving you a quick way to create a light barrier between your skin and the blue light coming from your screens.

I always have a bottle on my desk and spritz throughout the day. It’s also a refreshing pick-me-up!

Also consider applying our Restorative Skin Balm to your lips as a natural, restorative lip balm. Your lips are also exposed to blue light!

Treat your skin extra well at night,Because that is when the skin is busiest carrying out repairs. Cleanse thoroughly with a gentle cleanser and then apply our Calming Moisture to soothe inflammation and restore the outer barrier.

You might even consider itby using a physical barrier between your skin and your screens.A clean, soft scarf can work. Or you couldmove your screen further away from your face,where possible, to reduce short-range exposure.

Screens that damage your skin: we’re still learning

We’re still learning about the potential damage our screens can cause when it comes to our skin. Blue light hasn’t been studied as extensively as UV, but the evidence is already strong enough to suggest we need to take action.

That doesn’t mean you have to panic or throw away every device you own. It’s just smart to treat screen time like you would treat sun time. Small habits like taking regular screen breaks, using sunscreen, and adding antioxidant-rich products to your routine can help keep your skin strong and balanced, even in a digital world.

Are you concerned about the effects of screens on your skin?

Featured image by Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.