Is your phone the first thing you see in the morning and the last thing you look at before bed? Are you glued to your laptop all day? Do you take more video calls these days than in-person meetings? Are you spending hours in front of the TV every night watching the latest episode of Selling Sunset?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, your skin may be in trouble! Our laptops, phones, TVs, and tablets are all sources of blue light. A new article released by the New York Times explores the dangers of our blue-light drenched skin! Here’s what we learned about the effects of blue light on our skin and how we can protect ourselves:

Blue light interrupts your sleep cycle

According to Michelle Henry, a dermatologist in New York, “Blue light damages the retina and reduces your excretion of melatonin. “Melatonin is a hormone that your brain naturally produces that helps you fall asleep. Laptops and handheld devices give off more blue light than your TV because of the proximity to your face.”

Blue light ages your skin

Blue light destroys the collagen in your skin. Collagen is what helps skin stay firm, plump, and youthful. To help these signs of aging we recommend our Swissline Bespoke Facial that uses active ingredients to tackle the effects of lifestyle aging. For at-home care, try our Elmline Anti-Aging Bundle which helps soften and hydrate the skin while stimulating and supporting collagen production.

Blue light can cause hyperpigmentation in medium & dark skin

Unlike UV light, blue light can cause pigmentation on medium and darker skin while leaving lighter skin relatively unaffected. To lighten pigmentation, try the Swiss line Age Intelligence Perfect Skin, the Skin Regimen Night Detox, or the Guinot Brightening Vitamin C Serum.

Turning your device on “night shift” can help prevent skin damage

Most devices have a dark screen mode. For example, Apple has a “night shift” setting that creates a warmer screen tone.

Wear sunscreen inside!

Mineral sunscreens with iron oxides can help protect your skin. Tinted sunscreens can also do the trick! We recommend trying LASPA’s Moisturizing Mineral Sunscreen.

Antioxidants & Vitamin C protect against premature aging due to blue light

Antioxidants and Vitamin C treatments can help repair skin cells. We recommend trying elmspa’s Guinot Vitamin C Facial which is a triple-action brightening treatment combining dermabrasion exfoliation, a potent dose of Vitamin C, and a pro-collagen masque. Or try our ElmLine Vitamin C Serum for at-home use.

 

In today’s world, it’s impossible to avoid blue light entirely. Try to keep your screen time to a minimum, use high-quality skincare products and give your skin a boost with a professional facial whenever you get the chance. Your skin will thank you for it!

Read the full New York Times article here.