None of us can do without it anymore: smartphones, tablets and computers, for work or leisure, are now part of our daily life. For some time we have been discussing the health risks of excessive exposure to such devices: also with regard to the so-called “Blue light”, in Italian, the light that is emitted from the screen and that ends up straight in our eyes. But are there any risks in this regard?
What is “Blue light”
Alessandra Vasselli, cosmetologist and member of the scientific committee of Aideco, the Italian Association of Dermatology and Cosmetology, intervenes on the subject. To date, explains Vasselli, it has not yet been proven that the blue light emitted by the screen can cause damage. “However – urges the doctor – it is known that the blue light emitted by the sun, also called High Energy Visible Light, high energy visible light, can generate oxidative stress in the skin, as for all other radiations of the UV spectrum, visible and infrared “. This type of Blue light is also involved in skin hyper-pigmentation processes, especially in subjects with darker skin, and can cause direct damage to the eyes.
Harmful effects on health?
But what about tablets and computers? “Some studies – continues Vasselli – are showing that blue light helps to accelerate the aging process of the skin. Prolonged exposure can also disturb our internal clock, with consequences not only on physical but also on mental health ”. For example, the scientists are targeting blue LEDs: “When too intense – continues the cosmetologist – they could be harmful to risk categories, such as children and the elderly, especially for any sleep disturbances or heart problems”.
When blue light is good for you
Of course, not all evils come to harm. That is, blue light is also able to provide beneficial effects on the skin. In particular for the treatment of acne, thanks to its ability to positively influence the bacterial component of this pathology. But in what way? “For problems such as acne, couperose, vitiligo or psoriasis – says Alessandra Vasselli – specific products are now available to support the concept of dedicated photo-protection. These formulations allow the selective passage of specific radiation bands: in the presence of acne, these products pass a portion of blue light, close to ultraviolet, useful in the therapy of the acne patient, or a portion of UVB, for the therapy of vitiligo. “.