Certain reflexes hide unsuspected traps for the youth of our skin. Skincare specialists are sounding the alarm over an extremely common habit adopted upon waking up that alters the skin barrier and precipitates premature aging of the skin.
It’s one of the most common reflexes when you wake up. However, some skin care specialists are starting to take a close interest in it, because of its potential impact on skin aging.
For several years, research has sought to identify all the factors capable of accelerating the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The sun remains the primary cause of premature aging of the skin, but it is no longer the only element observed. Pollution, lack of sleep or too much sleep, oxidative stress, artificial light… our daily environment is the subject of more and more studies. And a very mundane habit could play a part in it.
When waking up, many people immediately expose themselves to a light source located a few centimeters from the face, sometimes for long minutes. This light, called blue light or HEV (High Energy Visible) light, is emitted by digital screens. Smartphones, tablets, computers or televisions all broadcast part of it. And this is precisely what intrigues researchers.
Several studies suggest that prolonged exposure to blue light could promote oxidative stress in skin cells, a phenomenon known to accelerate skin aging and collagen breakdown. Work published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology showed that certain wavelengths of visible light could generate free radicals in skin cells. Other research suggests a possible impact on the appearance of pigment spots.
However, be careful not to overdramatize. The blue light from a phone remains much less powerful than that of the sun: checking your screen for a few minutes after waking up is not enough, in itself, to cause premature wrinkles. According to several dermatologists, the potential effects mainly concern long and repeated exposures, over many years. It is therefore not the morning reflex that worries you, but the overall accumulation of screen time.
If this habit attracts attention, it is also because it is often accompanied by other behaviors that are not favorable to the skin. Checking your notifications as soon as you wake up can increase stress, disrupt your biological rhythm and reduce the quality of sleep. However, insufficient sleep is clearly associated with faster skin aging, loss of radiance and more marked wrinkles.
Dermatologists therefore recommend limiting unnecessary exposure to screens, especially in the evening, applying appropriate sun protection and taking care of your sleep hygiene.
