Has the technology-dominated world we have adapted to and live in today caused premature aging of the skin? Let’s face it, most of us wake up and immediately check our phones, put on our Smart Watches, followed by us logging onto our laptops for the majority of the day, just for us to “wind down” by watching TV or logging on social media after work.

According to a recent article by Laura Brzyski, dermatologists Nazanin Saedi and Margo Weishar explain the effects of blue light on the skin: “Blue light is part of the spectrum of visible light, but it is a high-energy, short-wavelength. When skin is exposed to blue light, we know that it causes the formation of reactive oxygenated species leading to DNA damage and inflammation. Eventually, it can break down healthy collagen, which causes skin aging. Additionally, the oxidative stress our skin undergoes due to increased exposure to blue light can lead to skin discoloration and hyperpigmentation” (The Philadelphia Magazine, 2020).

So what do we do to help prevent premature aging of the skin in a technology-driven society?

While we may not be able to control the amount of screen time necessary for our day jobs, we can use modern-day counteractive technology such as blue light glasses as well as limit the amount of screen time we use in our downtime, in the morning, after work, and before bed.

Here are some helpful tips in reducing your daily screen time:

Stop using your cell phone as an alarm clock
When we rely on our cell phones for things like an alarm clock, we tend to keep our phones near us. Try switching to a traditional alarm clock and set it on your nightstand. This way you can set your phone across the room while you sleep at night, and feel less tempted to grab it first thing in the morning.

Don’t log onto social media past 7 pm
We love to stay updated with our friends and family on social media, however, try to limit your screentime by restricting your usage to just what is necessary for your day job. If you do choose to log onto social media after work, try to hold a boundary with yourself to not log on past 7 pm.

Wear sunscreen year-round, even when indoors
Wearing sunscreen every day is crucial to fight against UVA and UVB rays. Use a sunscreen that has broad-spectrum protection to also protect against HEV light.

At SWMPHS, we want to help our patients look and feel their best. With our MedSpa treatments, we are able to accommodate all skin types and desired results. If you feel like your skin has prematurely aged due to an increase in daily screen time, try micro-needling, which can help stimulate collagen reproduction to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Call us to schedule your appointment today!