Screentime and Skin Aging Link REVEALED
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted August 21, 2024
By now, you’ve undoubtedly heard that the blue light from electronic devices, like your smartphone, can mess with your circadian rhythm, disturb your sleep, and trigger a number of health problems.
But what if I told you that same glow could be keeping you from putting your best face forward?
A new wave of research sheds light on how our constant screen time could accelerate skin aging.
And let me warn you, it’s NOT a pretty picture.
Let’s dive into the illuminating details…
Blue light is part of the visible light spectrum and is NOT inherently bad. In fact, getting a healthy dose of it from sunshine during the day helps SET our circadian rhythms.
The trouble is that we’re overexposing ourselves (and our skin) at the worst possible times.
You see, our beloved electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and TVs, also emit blue light.
Since we spend so much time glued to these screens, scientists are curious (and frankly, worried) about how overexposure impacts our health.
We already know blue light can affect our eyes and sleep patterns. Now, we’re learning it might also damage our skin.
Here’s what the research has revealed about blue light so far:
- It increases pigmentation: Studies suggest excess blue light exposure can stimulate melanin production, the natural pigment that gives our skin its color. This means too much blue light could worsen hyperpigmentation or dark spots, especially in people with darker skin tones.
- It triggers wrinkles: Some research indicates blue light could damage collagen, an essential protein for plump and youthful-looking skin. One lab study found that holding a device just one centimeter from your skin for an hour could accelerate wrinkle formation.
- It disrupts sleep: Sleep problems caused by blue light exposure can lead to dull, dark, puffy skin around your eyes.
Blue light is particularly good at suppressing melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep-wake cycle. So, exposure in the hours before bed can lead to poor sleep quality, indirectly affecting your skin’s appearance and fast-forwarding skin aging.
The following are some simple steps that can help protect you (and your skin) from overexposure to blue light:
- Use the “night mode” setting on your devices or install a blue light filter app. Minimize screen time before bed and create a relaxing bedtime routine.
- Hold your phone or device further away from your skin to reduce exposure.
- If you spend hours out in the sun, apply some sunscreen after getting a healthy dose. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide and iron oxides have fewer chemicals and offer broad protection, including from blue light.
Remember, while this research is intriguing, it’s not a reason to toss your phone out the window and swear off your favorite TV forever. The levels of blue light from electronic devices are FAR lower than what you would get from the sun.
However, cutting back on your screen time and taking steps to protect your skin could help keep your skin looking fresh and youthful for years to come… no filter required.
P.S. Do you REALLY need All those skincare products?
Source:
Arjmandi, N., Mortazavi, G., Zarei, S., Faraz, M., & Mortazavi, A. R. (2018). Can Light Emitted from Smartphone Screens and Taking Selfies Cause Premature Aging and Wrinkles? Journal of Biomedical Physics & Engineering, 8(4), 447-452.
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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