How does HEV differ from UVA/UVB light?

The spectrum of visible light—that is, what the human eye can see—emitted by the sun is made up of the colors of the rainbow, with wavelengths of 390 nm to 700 nm (nm = nanometer, a measure of length, specifically, 1 billionth of a meter). UVA and UVB light from the sun fall under the category of invisible light; we can’t see these rays, but they’re present during daylight hours, and absolutely impact your skin’s health and appearance. The sun’s UVB light causes sunburn and its UVA light causes deeper damage, like loss of firmness. For a bit of geek science: The wavelength of UVB rays goes from 280 nm to 320 nm; the wavelength of UVA rays ranges from 320 nm to 400 nm. The HEV light (blue light) emitting from the sun and your electronic devices ranges from 380 nm to 500 nm, a bit longer than, but overlapping with, the range of UVA light. Interestingly, the range of blue light varies depending on whose research you’re reading, with some scientists putting it more strongly in the range of 400-450 nm in terms of its damage to skin. Regardless of exact numbers, for certain it’s no exaggeration to say that the progressive damage unprotected exposure to UVA and UVB light does to skin is ultraviolent. As it turns out, damage from HEV light isn’t far behind. The sun’s blue light is a big part of why on a cloudless day we see the sky as blue. But, unlike the invisible UVA and UVB radiation, which is not an issue after dark, the threat from blue light doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. As mentioned, HEV light is also emitted by common devices we use or are exposed to all day long: televisions, fluorescent bulbs, at-home light devices for acne, computer monitors and smart phones. The close proximity of users to the source of the light (versus our large distance from the sun) has scientists concerned about acute skin damage. Second, HEV light is harmful because it penetrates more deeply into the skin than UV light. Specifically, HEV light causes inflammation and damage to skin cells called melanocytes, which are cells that produce the skin’s pigment. As a result of this damage, the melanocytes malfunction and produce age spots and other skin discolorations. This damage is on top of other signs of photoaging linked to HEV light, including wrinkles, sagging, rough texture, and dryness.

Showing making procedure is a good way to guarantee product quality

High Energy Visible Light Protection for Your Skin

 So, what can you do to protect your skin from HEV light? Daily application of a broad-spectrum sunscreen is the logical first choice, given that the sun emits a large portion of blue light that sunscreen can protect from. But don’t reach for just any sunscreen: You want one that’s rated SPF 30 or greater and contains plenty of antioxidants, a research-proven combination that we use in all of our sunscreens. What can antioxidants do for skin? Just as UVA and UVB light exposure triggers a cascade of oxidative damage on and within skin, so does blue light. The startling difference is that blue light can penetrate farther into skin than UVA light, causing deeper damage that eventually shows up as wrinkles, rough texture and brown spots. Antioxidants are found in well-formulated sunscreens as well as in serums, boosters and moisturizers. When applied to skin, these antioxidant-loaded products help defend and minimize the chain reaction of damage before it visibly impacts your skin.

Do I REALLY need to worry about HEV lights?
After careful research from both specific articles, case studies, and the like. Do we really need to worry about HEV lights? No, HEV lights are not going to harm your skin and much as some might claim. Researchers say the amount of time someone would need to sit in front of a computer screen to show any evidence of damage would be thousands of years. Although UVA and UBA damage is very much a thing and staying consist with your SPF will help keep them at bay. Despite the truth or folly over HEV lights it is important to always wear your SPF and reapply every 2 hours. 

Brightening Products and SPF can help break down the pigmentation

Other tips to protect your skin from HEV light include: Wear large, wraparound-style sunglasses with dark lenses that have a UV rating, as the blue light portion of the visible spectrum can also damage your eyes Consider “computer glasses” if your job has you staring at screens much of the time. These yellow-tinted glasses, which don’t make the world look as yellow as you might think, block the blue light that most modern-day monitors emit Not a fan of glasses? Install covers that block the blue light from your smartphones, tablets and computer monitors (readily available online) Enable the “night mode” settings on your portable digital devices permanently, which significantly reduces the blue light in favor of harmless yellow light. The Good Side of HEV Light We know that the information in this article so far doesn’t put blue light in, well, the best light; however, the truth in beauty is that some (safe) exposure to blue light is also good for us. Routine exposure to blue light, preferably from daylight, helps regulate our body’s sleep-wake cycle, improves our mood, keeps us alert and can even enhance memory. As with many things in life, blue light has both risks and benefits. Balance comes from trying to ensure that your routine exposure (with an antioxidant-rich sunscreen applied first) helps as it’s supposed to without going in the opposite direction and harming your skin.

Article credit : https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/sunscreen/high-energy-visible-hev-light-and-skin-damage.html