Step towards perfect skin (2): Avoid continuous damage from blue light
Blue light, blue light ray, or blue wavelengths, whatever you like to call, is the high energy visible (HEV) light with wavelength of 400-525 nm. Sun exposure, LED from indoor lighting and digital devices are the major sources, but the later has become a concern to skin experts as we expose to our smartphones, tablets and computers much more often than ever everyday and at a short distance. The peak emission of these light sources lies within the blue region of 400-490 nm. Exposure to blue light has been claimed to have similar impact on the skin damage as the UVA rays.
Research on how blue light affects the skin is still ongoing and it is still yet to be conclusive. However, studies have shown that blue light from electronic devices can increase the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of human fibroblasts even after short exposures. ROS are free radicals, such as superoxide radicals, hydroperoxide radicals, etc., which lead to DNA damage, inflammation, breakdown of healthy collagen and elastin, as well as hyperpigmentation. This oxidative stress on skin plays a major role in the aging process, both intrinsically and extrinsically. It is also found that blue light can delay skin barrier recovery after disruption.
As we spend a lot of time in front of digital devices nowadays, incorporating blue-light protection within our skin care routines is inevitable, such as JAN's APA Complete..
So remember to also look for blue-light protection ingredients when you select the sun care next time.