We live in a digital age now. Most people spend time on a computer or their phone for a significant portion of their day. If you have purchased eyeglasses recently, the big thing is to add blue light protective coating to protect your eyes. You can even get blue-light blocking glasses to wear without any vision correction.
Sunlight is the main source of blue light, which is why we see a “blue” sky. Manmade sources involving fluorescent and LED lighting, like computer screens, and the significant amount of time spend using the various devices is concerning eye health care professionals. Blue light is thought to increase the risk of macular degeneration (can lead to permanent vision loss) and digital eye strain (headaches, loss of focus, red eyes, neck and should pain, etc.). As careers become more digitally driven, screen time increases blue-light exposure. Research is now indicating there are harmful effects on skin as well and can cause harm or damage to our whole face, not just our eyes.
What is Blue Light?
Blue light is different from UVA/UVB because it’s in the visible spectrum. The UV light we we are used to protecting against is actually invisible radiation with a lower energy. The high energy blue light has the ability to penetrate deeper into the layers of skin. The blue hue you see when watching tv, playing on your phone, or working on your computer in a dark room is the light we are talking about.
The light can cause what’s known as “reactive oxygen species”, which is an unstable molecule that can damage skin cells down to the DNA level. Damaged skin cells cause faster aging due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, leading to wrinkles and sagging. There can also be pigment changes and photoaging like age spots. The outer layer of skin is weakened and delays or slows the recovery from daily stress. Blue light is known to disrupt sleep patterns which can cause sleep deprivation that impacts skin. Tired skin can be dull, swollen, red, and cause dark undereye circles.
Research indicates that 5 working days on a phone or computer can reportedly have the same impact on skin as spending 25 minutes in midday sun without any protection.
What can you do?
Protect your skin by limiting screen time and wearing blue-light blocking glasses that will protect the delicate skin around the eyes. Night mode can be used on devices that uses a yellow or orange light which is much gentler. Shields can be used on computers that can block some of the blue light. Although chemical sunscreen ingredients don’t protect against blue light, some of the physical blockers like titanium dioxide and zinc oxide may help.
There are few products currently on the market that protects your skin from digital age damage due to research just starting to emerge. Many companies are just starting to learn about the threat let alone develop products. Research suggests if you can find anti-aging products with antioxidants, they could provide some skin protection. Apply antioxidant products twice daily, both in the morning and evening, because the antioxidants get depleted throughout the day. Iron oxide products help by blocking both UVA and blue HEV energy. Mineral-based, broad-spectrum sunscreen with titanium dioxide and zinc oxide are also good protection. Any products with DNA repair enzymes can help boost collagen in the skin and increase the cell turnover and helps repair damage.
Digital Age Defense Serum
SeneGence International launched Digital Age Defense Serum in October 2020 that specifically protects skin from damaging blue light. This new generation skin care offers intelligent nano-delivery system that carries the nano-emulsion blend deep into all layers of your skin. It energizes fatigued skin while hydrating and refreshing.
Ket benefits include:
- Preventing signs of aging related to blue light.
- Energizes and hydrated fatigued, sleep-deprived, jet-lagged skin
- Offers a cool, refreshing sensation while helping to reduce the appearance of redness and blotchiness..
Key Ingredients:
- Celligent – Derived from antioxidants in rosemary and rice; Helps prevent visible signs of aging related to blue light and strengthens the skin barrier.
- IceAwake – Biotechnologically produced bacterium discovered under a Swiss glacier; can survive in extreme conditions; Helps fight aging in sleep-deprived skin.
- Nano Emulsion – Nano encapsulated blend of patchouli, calendula, chamomile, and jasmine to help calm the skin.
- BeautypolMoist – Source of hyaluronic acid, known to deliver continuous moisture to skin
- SymRelief 100 – Helps to reduce the appearance of redness and blotchiness
- Marimoist – Combo of red seaweed extract and hyaluronic acid to provide hydration and softness while offering a cooling feeling
- SenePlex+ – SeneGence’s proprietary complex that is helps decrease visible signs of aging