Online poker tournaments, live casino streams and late-night scrolling all keep faces close to screens for hours. Skincare marketing has noticed, and "blue light protection" now appears on serums and sunscreens. How worried should you be?
What blue light is
Blue light, also called high-energy visible (HEV) light, is part of the visible spectrum. The sun is by far the biggest source. Phone, tablet and laptop screens emit some too, but at much lower intensity.
What the research shows
Studies have found that intense visible light, at levels similar to sunlight, can contribute to pigmentation, especially in people with medium to dark skin tones, and may worsen conditions such as melasma. That is why tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides, which block visible light, are often recommended for people with melasma.
The evidence that everyday screen use damages the skin is weak. The amount of blue light from devices is small compared with time spent outdoors, even on a cloudy day. Most dermatologists consider daily sun protection far more important than screen-related measures.
The real skin effects of late sessions
Long evenings in front of a screen do affect the skin, just not mainly through light:
- Shorter sleep. Screens late at night can delay sleep, and tired skin looks duller and puffier.
- Touching your face. Leaning on a hand while concentrating on a game is a common source of breakouts along the chin and jaw.
- Dry eyes and squinting. People blink less while focusing on a screen, which dries the eyes and can leave the eye area looking tired.
- Snacking and dehydration. Long sessions often mean salty snacks and forgetting to drink water.
Practical habits
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every morning; a tinted one if you are prone to pigmentation.
- Switch on your device's night mode in the evening and take regular breaks: every 20 minutes or so, look at something about 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
- Keep a glass of water next to the keyboard.
- Set a finishing time for online sessions before you start, and keep to it. Your sleep, your skin and your bankroll will all benefit.
- Cleanse and moisturise before bed, even after a late finish.
In short, blue light from screens is a minor concern next to the sun. The late nights themselves are what show on the face.
