The Negative Effects of Too Much Screen Time on Your Skin

Are you guilty of spending too much time in front of a screen? If so, you’re not alone. The use of screens for entertainment, school, and work has gone up significantly over the years. Though screens bring convenience and have expanded how we work and learn, they are not without risks; one of them being the effect too much screen time has on your skin. In this blog post, we will discuss the negative effects that overexposure to blue light can have on your skin. We’ll also provide tips on how to prevent damage from occurring. So if you’re ready to learn more about the dangers of screens, keep reading!

Screens, whether on tablets, computers, TV, or cell phones, emit blue light.

Blue light is a high energy, short wavelength light. Blue light has been known to cause premature aging by breaking down collagen and triggering hyperpigmentation. It has also been linked to redness and inflammation in the skin.

Short-term exposure to blue light has an immediate effect on the skin, causing oxidative stress; though, unlike sun damage, it takes time to see blue light damage on the skin. This damage accumulates over time, and once visible is a force to be reckoned with. Prevention is key in combating blue light overexposure.

Aside from the blue light damage, too much screen time can also cause you to develop a “tech neck” from looking down at your phone or other mobile devices for an extended period of time. Tech neck appears as visible lines on your neck that normally would be expected on an older person. This is such a widespread problem that we now see these “tech neck” lines on children.

There are several ways that you can avoid the negative effects of too much screen time on your skin.

Limit your screen time. If you must be in front of a screen for long periods of time, take breaks every 20 minutes or so to give your eyes and skin a rest.

Use an anti-blue light filter on your devices. These filters help to reduce the amount of blue light that is emitted from the screen. You might also want to try wearing blue light glasses whenever working at your computer.

Apply antioxidants topically in your skincare, and get adequate amounts internally by eating lots of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables. These ingredients help to reflect blue light away from the skin.

Hold your phone at eye level so you’re looking at it at eye level, versus looking down at it which reinforces those premature wrinkles.

You may also want to consider the screen angle on your computer, and the height of your desk chair. Adjust if necessary to ensure that you’re also viewing your computer screen at eye level, rather than looking down at it.

Prevention is key!

If you follow these tips, you can help to prevent the negative effects of blue light on your skin. But remember, if you do start to see signs of damage, this is your skin telling you that it’s had enough, and things need to change. If you see visible symptoms that seem out of place–such as dark or raised spots that don’t go away–it’s important to have those evaluated by a licensed healthcare professional. With the right care and continued preventative efforts, you can help to reverse some of the damage and restore your skin’s health.

Do you have any questions about the effects of blue light on your skin, or about the negative effects of too much screen time on your skin?

We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Do you want to learn more about how to help your clients adopt simple lifestyle changes that can help prevent premature skin aging?

Check out our professionally accredited Certified Nutritional Aesthetics Practitoner® Training Program! We teach you how to create integrative skin wellness offerings that can help your clients achieve lasting skin results, often sooner than is possible with topical skincare and treatments alone. Join us and help lead the Nutritional Aesthetics® modality!