What Do Screen Lights Do to Our Skin?

A Natural Solution from Gattefosse Against the Negative Effects of Artificial Visible Light: EnergiNius

As is well known, electronic devices (mobile phones, computers and tablets) that we use intensively in our daily lives regularly emit artificial visible light (AVL). Daily use of these devices leads to intense exposure to LED sources emitting visible light wavelengths. Although the amount of energy emitted by these electronic devices is low, users remain in very close contact with the light source and spend considerable time in front of these screens. Despite the well-documented effects of intense digital screen exposure on sleep quality and the eyes, the effects on skin are only recently being understood. For the first time in the world, Gattefosse has characterized artificial light emitted from screens and developed special equipment to simulate it.

Effects of Artificial Light on Our Skin

To investigate the effects of artificial light on skin, a special light simulator replicating light emitted from screens was developed and this equipment was used under standardized in vitro test conditions to expose normal human fibroblasts to artificial light and examine its effects. These studies demonstrate that light emitted from screens acts as an additional environmental stress source; resulting in increased cellular fatigue, deterioration of fibroblast morphology and behavior. Artificial visible light strongly affects the gene expression profile in fibroblasts. Following exposure to visible light, more than 8% of the entire genome (2,984 of 35,000) was found to be disrupted, with mitochondria and cell skeleton being particularly affected. Exposure to screen light damages the cells' energy mechanism; leading to changes in the mitochondrial network responsible for producing the cell's fuel (ATP).

The mitochondrial network undergoes changes when exposed to artificial visible light.

ATP production significantly decreases when exposed to artificial visible light.

Additionally, light emitted from screens was found to weaken fibroblasts' mobility, communication and proliferation capacities. Under stress, cell skeleton fibers become disorganized; consequently leading to reduced cell spreading and loss of elasticity. Because they are exhausted and isolated, skin cells' capacity to produce main matrix components and their interaction functions with their surroundings decline; as a result, skin vitality decreases.

Protective Effect of EnergiNius Active Against Artificial Light

Recently, Gattefosse developed a new plant-based active ingredient to protect skin cells from light emitted from screens, and its effectiveness has been proven both at genomic and cellular levels.

Gattefosse active EnergiNius;

• Combats the decrease in gene expression related to mitochondria and actin cell skeleton in fibroblasts exposed to artificial visible light, thereby protecting dermal fibroblast transcriptome and consequently dermis health. • Protects the mitochondrial network from fragmentation by allowing ATP production to return to complete normalization.

Protection of the mitochondrial network through application of EnergiNius.

Increase in ATP production through application of EnergiNius.

The mitochondrial network of skin cells exposed to artificial light was observed to be heavily fragmented with only small bright spots present. Conversely, when skin cells were treated with the active ingredient, fine mitochondrial filaments were detected, proving that EnergiNius active ingredient protects the mitochondrial network from stress. ATP production was observed to be higher in fibroblasts treated with EnergiNius active ingredient compared to cells exposed to artificial light without active ingredient treatment. • With the use of EnergiNius, fibroblasts' mobility and communication properties are no longer affected by exposure to screen light, thereby preserving cellular activity.

Protection of cell spreading through use of EnergiNius.

When exposed to artificial light, cells treated with EnergiNius active ingredient showed no problems in spreading and fibroblasts did not lose their elasticity capabilities.

Conclusion

Light emitted from our smartphones, tablets and laptop screens creates additional environmental stress for skin. Cells exposed to high doses of screen light suffer damage to their energy mechanism, which leads to increased cellular fatigue. As a result, the skin surface appears vitality-deprived and dull. Gattefosse active EnergiNius, organically certified and derived from Indian Ginseng (Withania Somnifera) roots, protects skin cells from artificial visible light emitted from screens. The active ingredient's phytochemical content rich in withanolides and amino acids supports its high level of effectiveness. Regular use of products containing EnergiNius eliminates signs of fatigue, and skin becomes more vital and naturally radiant. Product effectiveness has been clinically tested by over 200 panelists and has been clearly proven in Asian and Caucasian skin types. Author: Myriam Abderrachid Product Marketing Manager Personal Care Gattefosse France   Translator: Özge Yüksel Özel Technical Business Development Manager Personal Care Azelis Turkey  

References (1) A train of blue light pulses delivered through closed eyelids suppresses melatonin and phase shifts the human circadian system. Figueiro MG, Bierman A, Rea MS. (2) Effects of LEF-backlit computer screen and emotional selfregulation on human melatonin production. Srovkham W, Wongsawat Y. (3) Short-wawelength light-blocking eyeglasses attenuate symptoms of eye fatigue. Lin JB, Gerratt BW, Bassi CJ, Apte RS. (4) Damage of photoreceptor-derived cells in culture induced by light emitting diode-derived blue light. Kuse Y, Ogawa K, Shimazawa M, Hara H. (5) Harmful effects of screen-emitted visible light on the dermis; an additional environmental stress not to be neglected. A. Rascalou1, J. Lamartine2, P. Poydenot3, P.Lennon1, F. Demarne1, N. Bechetoille1 – IFSCC Conference, 2017 - 1GATTEFOSSE, 2CNRS UMR 5305/LTBI, 3CYTOO.