UNDERSTANDING BLUE LIGHT TECHNOLOGY

Unlike the invisible spectrum resulting in the 7 colours manifested in a rainbow, blue light is a visible light essential for our survival being short in length, high in energy omitted from the sun.
In its natural form, this light regulates our wakening and sleeping circles; our circadian rhythm.
Scientists state that blue light increases alertness, assists memory and can even elevate mood.

There are also many man-made sources – a relevant term often used is LED – referring to high energy visible light found in fluorescent lighting, computers, cell phones, tablets and flat screen televisions .

As there has been a huge escalation in blue light technology, concerns have arisen, due to the proximity to our faces and eyes.
Digital eye strain is of concern as we tend to blink less frequently looking at screens and too much exposure might damage retinal cells.

Many who spend hours on these devices have not been aware that tired and gritty feeling eyes are as a result of this but can be remedied with the use of lubricating gel obtainable from certain outlets and opticians.

Protection can actually be taken to look away every 20 minutes at an object some metres away for about 20 seconds. Alternatively, blue light blocking screen filters can be applied to devices.

As important as blue light is to our circadian rhythm, overuse of tablets and cell phones at night disrupt the cycle resulting in restless sleep and daytime fatigue.
Research shows that exposure to blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that regulates our sleep/wake cycles.
In view of the fact that thousands are addicted to these devices, education is essential to ensure a healthier lifestyle.

As for one’s skin, there is no evidence yet of blue light exposure causing cancer or ageing. In fact LED light is used in salons, blue for acne conditions, red for anti-aging, the latter being more gentle than the previously dramatic chemical peels, dermabrasion and laser therapy. The beauty industry is however pouring in large sums of money into products that claim to protect the face against screen damage. Packaging like this could soon be a revolution as was the buzz word years back when SPF was introduced as a skin protector.

There is a lesson to be learned. Due to our frantic lifestyles ‘day and night’ seem to merge and our biological clocks are disrupted. If eyes are so vulnerable to discomfort, skin too takes a knock as blue light penetrates deep into the dermis and can cause dehydration and wrinkling, not unlike the UV rays we have been fighting since the 1970’s.