HEV Light and Your Skin
What is HEV Light?
The sunlight spectrum consists of UV, visible and infrared light. The blue/violet band of this visible spectrum has a particularly high energy level and is known as High Energy Visible Light
As you can see from the spectrum above light is measured in wavelengths
Visible light has a wavelength range in the region of 400 to 700nm, with HEV light falling somewhere between the 400-500nm mark.
HEV Light, just like UVA rays, penetrates into the lower layers of skin (the dermis), with enables HEV light to cause premature ageing and hyperpigmentation. Unlike UVA/UVB rays, HEV is not linked to cancer.
The effect HEV has on your skin
Premature Ageing
HEV light impairs the skin’s natural barrier function. Rather than cause burning or redness, it goes deeper than UV rays, damaging the skin’s collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid supplies.
HEV Light generates free radicals. These free radicals cause skin cells to produce enzymes that break down the collagen and elastin that give skin its plump, youthful appearance. This process is often called oxidative stress where our body is put under stress as the levels of antioxidants in our body are not high enough to counteract the damaging effect of free radicals.
Ageing is a natural process, but when skin ages prematurely it may start to sag and develop deep wrinkles before its time.
Hyperpigmentation
HEV Light can induce hyperpigmentation as it targets the pigment that gives skin, hair, and eyes their color (melanin), which likely plays a role in pigment issues that can occur with over exposure.
How to Protect the skin from HEV Light
Using the correct SPF or suncare products that also have the added protection against HEV light. We have selected our top recommendations that include a full broad spectrum of protection:
Oclipse Smartone SPF 50 | Available to buy via consultation
This product shields skin from UVA/UVB, HEV light, and IR-A (infrared rays). Non-greasy, quick drying sunscreen with a sheer matte finish while hydrating the skin to prevent dryness.
Heliocare 360 Mineral SPF 50+ | Available to buy here
Effective and precise protection against UVB, UVA, visible and infrared rays, due to the combination of filters with specific ingredients that block visible and infrared rays.
Antioxidant complex exclusive to Fernblock®FC, rich in ferulic and caffeic acids, green tea and vitamins C and E which strengthen its photoprotector action. Ultralight application, invisible second skin finish.
NIOD Survival 0 30ml | Available to buy here
This product is designed to work on the free radical damage while you sleep. It is recommend to use on an evening and works targeting the effects of oxygen radicals including the superoxide radical, nitrogen radicals, carbonyl radicals, glycation and advanced glycation end-products (AGE), pollution, smog, stress, infrared and blue light.
There also other options alongside skincare which can help protect against HEV light such as:
- Switch your devices to night mode which reduces the blue light in exchange of yellow light which is less harmful to the skin.
- Computer glasses which are yellow tinted which helps protect against the blue light from your computer screen
- Install covers that block the blue light from your smartphones, tablets and computer monitors
- Wear your sunglasses with UV/HEV protection within the lenses
Blue Light within Aesthetics
Blue Light is found within most light therapy devices which we use within the industry and is known for its soothing and calming properties. Light therapy is time controlled and can involve a range of light colours with healing qualities. The blue light is therefore not penetrated for a long period of time to cause the damage that is done with 10 hours a day of screen time for example.