ASCP Skin Deep

JULY | AUGUST 2017

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SECRET AGER #2: BLUE LIGHT New studies show the high-energy visible (HEV) blue light our electronics emit is making us sick, fat, and sleepless as it encourages cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and suppresses melatonin production. Melatonin is an antioxidant that protects skin cells from damage. Blue light disrupts our natural circadian rhythm of wakefulness and sleep and can reduce rapid eye movement (REM) sleep so we are less able to cope with psychological stress. Sleeplessness also increases ghrelin and decreases leptin, which makes us hungrier and encourages overeating and bad food choices. The body needs sleep to recycle and restore normal hormone levels. An imbalance in hormones can cause breakouts, skin flares, and hirsutism. The HEV blue light our phones emit is more powerful than UVA and UVB. Sunscreen is ineffective at preventing HEV's effects, and it reaches further into the dermis than either UVA or UVB to where our natural hyaluronic acid and collagen is formed. A new study indicates that through prolonged use, HEV blue light can cause damage (through reactive oxygen species) to the DNA within our skin cells, which can accelerate cellular aging and could promote cancer growth. The solution? Again, eyes up! Avoid using HEV blue light-emitting devices. Store your phone well away from your bedroom and don't check email in the middle of the night if you wake. Avoid using HEV blue light- emitting devices. Store your phone well away from your bedroom and don't check email in the middle of the night if you wake.

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