What Exactly is HEV Light and How Can It Damage My Skin?

UV rays are not the only enemy.

Mar 21, 2024

As if the sun’s UV rays aren’t damaging enough, there’s another sneaky culprit lurking in the sunlight, ready to wreak havoc on your skin: HEV or high-energy visible light. More popularly known as blue light, it refers to high-energy wavelengths emitted by the sun as well as electronic devices, like smartphones, laptops, and LED screens. And yes, it’s a proven skin foe—one that you should protect yourself from at all costs.

HEV vs UV Light: What’s the Difference?

Think of HEV and UV as two different players in the sunlight game. While they both come from the sun, they have different effects on our skin.

UV Light:

• UV light, both UVA and UVB, falls under the category of invisible light. While we can’t see these rays, they’re present in sunlight during the day and have significant effects on our skin.
• UVB rays, with wavelengths ranging from 280 nm to 320 nm, are responsible for sunburns (nm = nanometer, a measure of length pertaining to 1 billionth of a meter).
• UVA rays, spanning from 320 nm to 400 nm, penetrate deeper into the skin, causing long-term damage, like wrinkles, age spots, and loss of firmness.

HEV Light:

• HEV light ranges from 380 nm to 500 nm, slightly longer than UVA light but overlapping with its range. This means it penetrates deeper than UVA rays, potentially reaching the dermis, the deeper layer of the skin where collagen and elastin are located.
• HEV light doesn’t cause immediate damage like sunburns, but it can cause damage over time by increasing oxidative stress in our skin cells. This in turn, makes skin look dull and aged.
• Unlike UVA and UVB radiation, which disappear after dark, blue light remains a constant threat, emitted not only by the sun but also by the electronic devices we use daily.

So, while UV light is like a powerful punch to the skin, HEV light is like a slow and steady drip—it might not seem harmful at first, but it can add up over time.

Protecting Your Skin from HEV Light

Imagine your skin as a fresh canvas and each ray of HEV light is like a tiny paintbrush, leaving behind strokes of damage that accumulate over time. From fine lines to hyperpigmentation, the effects of unchecked HEV exposure can leave your complexion looking less than luminous.

This is why it’s important to protect our skin from both UV and HEV light to keep it healthy and glowing for years to come.

Read on for some tips to boost your skin’s defense right now:

1. Invest in broad-spectrum sunscreenHere’s the logical first step to take: Look for sunscreen formulas that boast broad-spectrum protection, shielding your skin from both UVA, UVB, and yes, even HEV light. Not all sunscreens offer HEV defense, though. Most traditional formulas primarily focus on protecting against UV rays.To be sure, check the label for specific claims of HEV protection. Heliocare is a derma-trusted brand offering a wide range of sun protectors that protect against UVA, UVB, HEV, and even infrared radiation. (Find out which Heliocare sunscreen is for you!)
   
   Try: Heliocare 360 Invisible Spray SPF 50+, P2,250
   Spritz on supreme protection with this easy-to-use sunscreen spray for the body featuring Fernblock®+ technology and powerful antioxidant active ingredients.
   
   Heliocare 360 Capsules, P2,250
   Enhance your topical product’s effectivity with this oral photo-protector, ideal during the hot summer months. Read more about oral sunscreens here.
2. Put on an antioxidant armor
   Incorporate antioxidant-rich skincare products into your routine to combat the oxidative stress caused by HEV light. Ingredients like Vitamin C, vitamin E, and niacinamide work wonders in neutralizing free radicals and preserving your skin’s youthful radiance. You can find these in serums, boosters, and moisturizers. (Also read: Here’s How Adding a Vitamin C Serum Can Transform Your Skin)
   
   Try: Derm Biologiques Vitamin C + E + Ferulic Acid Serum, P3,500
   This combines powerhouse antioxidants Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid in one skin rejuvenating and protecting formula.
   
   ZO 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating, P7,650
   This lightweight cream contains 10% Vitamin C to defend against damage and promote a more even skin tone.

 

3. Wear protective eyewear
   Constant exposure to HEV light can speed up the formation of eye wrinkles and other signs of aging, so go for sunglasses and reading glasses with lenses that offer blue light protection. Some options:
   • Blue-light blocking glasses: These are specifically designed to filter out a portion of HEV light emitted by electronic devices such as smartphones, computers, and tablets. They often have lenses with a yellow tint or a special coating.
   • Computer glasses: These glasses are tailored for individuals who spend extended periods in front of digital screens. They reduce eye strain and fatigue by filtering out blue light emitted by screens, helping to alleviate symptoms such as dry eyes and headaches.
   • Sunglasses with blue light protection: Some sunglasses are designed not only to block harmful UV rays but also to filter out HEV light.

 

4. Put your devices on night mode.
   Go to the settings of your phone and other gadgets and enable night mode, which significantly reduces blue light emission in favor of harmless yellow light. Don’t forget to take regular screen time breaks, too, to give your skin (and eyes) a much-needed breather.

 

5. Eat a balanced diet
   Maintain a nutritious diet rich in natural antioxidants from fruits, vegetables, and even green tea. This helps you enhance your body’s natural defense against oxidative stress caused by HEV light. Also helpful? Taking antioxidant-rich food supplements.
   
   Try: Yllume White Caps Blueguard-Oral, P4,000
   This once-a-day supplement brightens skin and boosts protection, with ingredients like white tomato powder extract, pomegranate, and Vitamin C.
   
   Metagenics Immune Active, P2,300
   Providing high-potency vitamin C and zinc, as well as quercetin, NAC, and EGCG, this supplement helps support a healthy immune response and promote antioxidant processes.

While HEV light may be invisible to the naked eye, its effects on our skin are all too real. By arming yourself with knowledge and adopting protective measures, you can keep your complexion glowing and resilient against the daily onslaught of blue light energy. So, here’s to embracing the light—while keeping your skin shielded, luminous, and healthy.

For customized skincare recommendations, you can book a face-to-face or virtual dermatological consultation with Dr. Maximin Navarro, our resident dermatologist and a Philippine Dermatological Society (PDS) fellow, here. You may also contact the Bella Pelle Skin Solutions Clinic at (+63) 999-887-1933. For a full list of facial services and other treatments, click here.

Bella Pelle Skin Solutions is located 2/F L Building, #142 Katipunan, Brgy. Saint Ignatius, Quezon City. The center is open Monday to Friday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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• Here’s How Adding a Vitamin C Serum Can Transform Your Skin
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