The Effects of Blue Light

Blue Light is emitted by the sun and artificially by devices. It is not harmful when consumed in small amounts, but the amount we are exposed to has led researchers to study how this will evolve and affect our health. Due to the ever-increasing usage of technology, we have noticed a considerable rise in blue light damage in this way

Is it bad for your health?

Most know the effects the sun has on us with its powerful UVA and UVB rays that can cause skin damage, but how many of you know about Blue Light? We are in an age where many of us spend a large portion of our day utilizing one electronic device or another. But how many of you consider the toll it takes on our bodies? A lot more than you may think. We will discuss what this means and how we can protect our bodies from damaging effects.

Blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, can be both artificial and from the sun, appearing in shades that range from blue/turquoise to blue/violet. Unlike the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays that we can’t see but can certainly feel, HEV is the opposite; you can see blue light, but you can’t feel its heat. Blue Light is emitted by the sun and artificially by devices. It is not harmful when consumed in small amounts, but the amount we are exposed to has led researchers to study how this will evolve and affect our health. Due to the ever-increasing usage of technology, we have noticed a considerable rise in blue light damage in this way.

The largest source of blue light is from the sun, where blue light rays are what helps to make the sky look blue. But they are also associated with:

• TV’s

• Tablets

• Computers

• Cell Phones

• LED lights

The problem with blue light is that it will trick our brains into thinking that it’s daylight even when it’s not. It can be detrimental to our body’s circadian rhythm, not to mention our sleep schedule. Disrupting those cycles causes our body not to know when to be awake or prepare for sleep. For more information on your circadian rhythm, check out our webinar, where we dive deep into this topic. Blue light can cause eye strain which can contribute to the formation of facial wrinkles and lack of sleep, leading to dark circles or undereye puffiness. While it is still in the early stages of study, we know that skin is very vulnerable to oxidative stress, and blue light will damage over time. How does it damage the skin?

• Increases oxidative stress

• Damages DNA tissue

• Weakens collagen and elastin

• Accelerates signs of aging

• Can lead to hyperpigmentation

• Induces inflammation

• Triggers formation of free radicals

(cited from Harvard.edu) How can you protect yourself from damage? The biggest thing you can do is limit your time spent on devices, and when that is not possible, make sure you take breaks when you can to reduce your exposure. Some devices do have an option to turn off blue light or dim it completely. Another way to protect yourself is by consuming or applying antioxidants to your body to protect yourself from free radical damage. At GlyMed, we have many products packed full of antioxidants to help protect yourself!

If you have any questions and would like to speak to one of our friendly Master Aestheticians in your area, please email support@glymedplusaustralia.com.au

Written by Whitney Dickerson