True, good front-facing lighting can accentuate your features, brighten your skin, and make you look presentable on camera. But do you know that the wrong lighting can damage your skin?
The skin is the largest organ of the body, and unlike other organs, transplanting isn't exactly an option. In essence, you have to treat it with extra care.
First, we discovered how environmental stressors affect the skin. Then we heard UVA and UVB rays cause premature aging. Right now, it's all about blue light damage, and rightly so.
What Is Blue Light, and Why Is It Harmful to the Skin?
Also known as high-energy visible (HEV) light, blue light is a part of the visible light spectrum that falls between 400 to 450nm.
Blue light is emitted from lamps, computers, and smartphones, causing everything from hyperpigmentation and melasma to premature aging.
We are constantly being exposed to different sources of blue light every day. Although the blue light's primary source is the sun, we do get a significant dose from our table lamps, indoor lighting, and screens.
You might have seen some blue-light-fighting ingredients in your favorite skin-care products. And that's because visible light contributes to pigmentation changes, the breakdown of elastin, which leads to skin laxity and wrinkles.
One study of the effects of visible light on the immediate pigmentation, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, found that Long-Wavelength UVA exposure caused more pigment development.
How Does Blue Light Affect the Skin?
- Oxidative Reaction
Blue light seems to begin the process of an oxidative reaction on our skin. What this means is that blue light exposes the skin to oxidative stress.
Just like UV lights that have the same effect, blue lights induce premature aging. But blue light is worse than UVA because it goes deep into the skin. In actuality, it does penetrate the skin right up to the dermis layer where collagen and elastin are stored.
So whenever you prepare to record a YouTube video or go on a conference video call with an unsafe light, think about the effects on your skin.
- Reduces Levels of Melatonin
The blue light your desk lamp emits could be the reason why your sleep cycle is disrupted. And no, it doesn't just have to do with the bright light dissuading you from nodding off. Blue light affects melatonin, the hormone responsible for sleep. When this happens, your natural circadian rhythm is disrupted, and you'll wake up with those nasty under-eye bags and not feeling fully refreshed.
How to Protect Your Skin From Blue Light Damage
For starters, you can reduce the brightness level on your lamp or screens to prevent skin damage. But in cases where the use of light is important – especially for Youtubers and Crafters – how can you protect your skin while entertaining your viewers and designing your products?
Dr. Lite lamps are specially engineered to remove the harmful blue rays that are associated with causing skin damage, cataracts, macular degeneration, vision loss, and insomnia. Consider it a necessary step in your skincare routine!
Take a step to protect your eyes. Go through the available products and get safe lighting today!
Dr. Lite's brand of products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
