Most of us know full well that we should apply sun cream when we’re on the beach in summer. However, when the weather outside turns nasty and we head indoors, our SPF ends up at the bottom of our make-up bag. This is one of the most serious skincare mistakes of our time.
Modern aesthetic medicine and dermatology are increasingly drawing attention to a new, silent enemy of our skin – ‘digital ageing’. It turns out that your skin needs proper protection not only whilst on holiday, but above all when you’re working at your desk.
What is digital ageing?
This phenomenon is directly linked to exposure to HEV (High-Energy Visible Light), i.e. high-energy blue light. It is emitted by the screens of our smartphones, tablets and televisions, as well as by LED bulbs.
When you’re working on your next project, analysing data or writing code, staring for hours at your dual monitors at your ergonomic workstation in the Wrocław office, you probably think you’re 100 per cent safe from photoageing. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although you don’t feel the warmth of the sun’s rays, your skin is constantly exposed to invisible radiation that penetrates much deeper than UVA and UVB rays – reaching as far as the reticular layer of the dermis.
How does blue light (HEV) affect the skin?
Light from screens does not cause sunburn, which is why we tend to ignore its harmful effects. The effects of exposure to HEV accumulate over time and lead to serious changes at the cellular level:
- Skin discolouration and melasma: Blue light is one of the main causes of hard-to-remove, sun-induced and post-inflammatory pigmentation spots. HEV strongly stimulates melanocytes to overproduce pigment, often resulting in an uneven, ‘dull’ skin tone.
- Oxidative stress: Radiation from screens generates huge amounts of free radicals. These unstable molecules damage the DNA of cells, leading to their premature death.
- Breakdown of collagen and elastin: Free radicals activate enzymes that literally cut and destroy collagen fibres. As a result, the skin loses its firmness, becomes flaccid, and wrinkles deepen much more quickly.
- Disruption of the hydrolipid barrier: Prolonged ‘exposure’ to screens causes the skin to become dry, sensitive and lacking in its natural radiance.
SPF 50 – Your office ‘dress code’ all year round
Many patients ask: "Why do I need sun cream when I work indoors and don’t go out in the sun?".
Firstly, modern sun creams with a high sun protection factor (SPF 50) increasingly contain not only filters that protect against UV radiation, but also special substances and antioxidants (e.g. vitamins C, E, niacinamide) that block blue light (HEV) and infrared (IR).
Secondly, UVA radiation – which causes skin ageing – easily penetrates the windows of office buildings and cars. Even on a cloudy winter’s day, your skin is exposed to it.
That’s why SPF 50 sun cream should be an absolute essential in your daily morning skincare routine, whatever the season or weather. Think of it as an invisible protective shield for your skin cells.
Recovery after hours
Even the best protection is sometimes not enough if we’ve ignored the problem of digital ageing for years. If you’ve noticed a dull complexion, a loss of firmness or the first signs of discolouration caused by spending time in front of screens, it’s time for a professional rejuvenating treatment.
In modern cosmetology and aesthetic medicine, we use advanced antioxidant therapies, chemical peels to even out skin tone, and tissue biostimulators that repair damage caused by free radicals.
Do you feel that your skin is lacking energy after long hours in front of the computer? Book a consultation at US Clinic. We’ll assess the condition of your skin and select the right treatments and home skincare routine to protect you from digital ageing.
