At work, we often sit in front of the screen for eight hours. As soon as we finish work, the smartphone is pulled out and usually not put down until we go to sleep. The first look in the morning? Applies in most cases to our smartphone. It goes on like this, day after day. However, what very few of us know: Exposing yourself to the blue light from screens for hours is harmful to your health!
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Does blue light make us age faster?
Devices such as smartphones, tablets or laptops are equipped with screens that emit HEV rays (HEV: high-energy visible). This artificially induced light penetrates even deeper into the skin than UV radiation. The result: digital aging, which can result in pale skin, wrinkles, pigment spots and other premature signs of aging. In addition, blue light attacks our skin’s protective barrier, making it easier for other harmful substances to penetrate our skin. And that’s not all: our eyes are also damaged by the blue light.
Digital aging: This is the cause
In fact, it’s the free radicals that are formed by the blue light that literally make us look old. Free radicals are uncontrolled oxygen molecules that are missing an electron in their chemical structure – in their search for it, they damage skin cells, making them unable to store water and form flexible connective tissue. The result: Our skin dries out, becomes wrinkled and begins to age faster. Acne or pigment disorders can also be associated with it.
So you can protect yourself from the blue light
Anyone who spends a lot of time in front of the screen should start to actively protect themselves from the blue rays. We reveal how you can mitigate the harmful effect:
- Most smartphones already have a so-called “blue light filter” – make sure to activate this under the display settings!
- Many laptops can switch to night mode , which comes with warmer screen lighting. If this is not possible, blue light filter films that can be attached to the screen will help.
- Very important: breaks! Our eyes are also happy when they get a break from the flickering on the screen. If you spend a lot of time in front of the screen at work, you can do something good in your free time if you simply put your smartphone aside.
- You should also strengthen the skin ‘s natural protective barrier with moisturizing care .