How to combat digital ageing

The last two years got some changes in our lives. As we braced to fight the epidemic and stay indoors, most of us turned to comfort ourselves with the various available gadgets. Whether working from home, tuning into binge-watching on OTT platforms, or staying connected with friends and family through phones and tabs, they have become an inherent part of our lives. With exposure to so many gadgets comes digital ageing, and in this post, we talk about how to combat digital ageing.

And they still are. Despite knowing that prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from these gadgets can cause irreversible damage to the skin, we still indulge in mindless scrolling. Let’s not even get to the bit where there is damage to the eyes as well.

How to combat digital ageing?

When the lockdown started over two years ago, we stayed glued to our gadgets, keeping ourselves updated with the happenings around the world; a desperate attempt to keep up with what was happening because we could not go about with our ‘normal’ lives. Experts opine that this significant level of exposure to blue light will slowly start to show on our faces.

But first, what’s the big deal about blue light?

Despite being less harmful than ultraviolet light, blue light still poses a threat to our skin’s health because of its free radical generation. The ability of blue light to penetrate deeper into the skin causes it to cause stress. And with the increasing dependency on gadgets and digital devices is slowly causing our skin to age faster, which is common in our generation.

What are the likely skin concerns with digital aging and exposure to blue light?

There are many possible long-term effects that come with exposure to blue light, and these may or may not be limited to:

Dryness of the skin: Since the blue light has the ability to penetrate deeper into the skin, it can cause dehydration. Extreme dryness of the skin can make it look sallow and dull.
Can cause hyperpigmentation: These electronic screens produce a lot of heat, which causes a rise in body temperature. This heat then activates melanocytes, causing the body to create a dark pigment.
Inflamed and flaky skin: All digital devices have an electrostatic field that interferes with the natural acid and the skin’s protective barrier. This leads to a pH imbalance in the skin.
Fine lines and dark circles: Free radicals promote oxidative stress while the gamma light from the blue light strains the eyes, making the dark circles more prominent.

What can you use to combat digital aging?

But like everything else, there is hope to rectify this with a few simple skin care tips to combat digital aging. Here are some products in your beauty cabinet to keep the skin glowing.

- A chemical-free sunscreen | It is a myth that sunscreen is used only when you must step outdoors to protect your skin from environmental stressors. In reality, you need a bit of sunscreen every day, even indoors. And more so if you have a job that exposes your skin to blue light. The sunscreen acts like a protective barrier to deflect the blue light from the gadgets.
- A spritzer to keep your skin calm and hydrated | You can make your hydrosols of spritzers to keep your skin hydrated. Take a glass bottle with a spray nozzle. Add 200 ml of distilled water and a few drops of almond oil or marula carrier oil. Add two drops each of lavender essential oil and juniper berry essential oil. Shake well before every use. Keep it in a cool place. The oils will form a fine layer of protection, while the cool water will soothe inflamed skin and keep skin hydrated.
- Add a Vitamin C Serum to your skincare | As much as it is touted as the next big thing in skin care, Vitamin C serums have the potential to offer many skin benefits that include reducing hyperpigmentation and promoting an even skin tone. From face washes to serums, toners, and more. You can use Vitamin C in your daily skin regime for that extra boost of radiation.