Many people think that applying sunscreen is only necessary when going out or to the beach, but dermatologists warn that this can be a subtle threat to skin health. Your skin is exposed to hidden risks
even when you are indoors, such as high-energy visible (HEV) blue light from computer monitors and UVA rays that filter through windows.
While these are not likely to cause sunburn, they can cause pigmentation, early ageing, and damage to the skin. As modern lifestyles keep us indoors for work and play, the routine of applying sunscreen has changed. Daily use is necessary for maintaining healthy skin.
Reasons To Wear Sunscreen Inside
Even if you want to be in the living room all day, here are several reasons why wearing sunscreen should become a daily ritual:
UVA Rays Penetrate Windows
One of the reasons for applying sunscreen indoors is the presence of UVA rays, which can pass through glass windows. UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper than UVB rays, which cause sunburn. UVA rays cause damage to collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkles, pigmentation, and ageing of the skin.
According to research, UVA rays are “silent killers,” and up to 75 per cent of UVA rays can pass through ordinary glass. Your skin can be exposed to more UVA rays than you think if you travel frequently, work near windows, or sit in a well-lit area. Sitting near a window can cause “photoaging” over time, resulting in the appearance of fine wrinkles, a leathery texture, and a loss of firmness.
Blue Light ‘Screen Face’ Phenomenon
Extended use of screens, including computers, cellphones, tablets, and televisions, is a part of modern lifestyles. High-energy visible (HEV) blue light, generated by these gadgets, may eventually lead to collagen breakdown, oxidative stress, and pigmentation, according to some research.
Despite being less powerful than sunlight, blue light exposure from screens can have an adverse effect on skin health over time, particularly for those prone to hyperpigmentation. Compared to UVB rays, blue light has been found to cause more severe and persistent black spots (melasma), especially in darker skin tones.
Cumulative ‘Two-Minute’ Exposure Adds Up
Skin damage often develops gradually over time as a result of frequent low-level exposure rather than being the result of a single severe exposure. It is not just “peak hours” at the beach that cause sun damage. It is the culmination of all those fleeting instants. Unbeknownst to us, low-level, chronic exposure plays a significant role in premature ageing.
Building A Consistent Skincare Habit
A regular skincare practice can be developed by using sunscreen daily, even on days when you are indoors. This practice makes sure you are safe when you go outside unexpectedly, whether for deliveries, errands or short periods of time outside. Make sure your sunscreen has the label “Broad-Spectrum,” which means that it offers protection from both UVB (burning) and UVA (ageing) radiation.
Consider using a tinted mineral sunscreen with iron oxides to combat blue light if you work in front of a screen. Put a vitamin C serum on top of your SPF for an additional line of protection. It serves as a safety net against free radicals by neutralising any light that tries to get through.
