HEV stands for High Energy Visible light and it is all around us. Only recently the visible effects of HEV light on the skin have been discovered.
Let’s dissect the Sunlight Spectrum:
The sunlight spectrum consists of Ultra-Violet (UV), visible and infrared light. In the sunlight spectrum, 50% of the light is visible and detected by the human eye.
UV and Infrared lights are invisible. We are familiar with UV and Infrared Rays (IR) as we know those cause cancer and skin aging.
The visible light is seen as colors: violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. High Energy Visible Light HEV is a very penetrative light that is all around us day and night, we are subjected to it when we use our computers, smartphones, tablets, lighting and other digital electronics.
What is the difference between UV and HEV in relation to the skin?
UVB penetrate the epidermis. UVA and HEV penetrate into the dermis. Some studies concluded that HEV may penetrate even further into the hypodermis.
UVB rays cause sunburn. HEV does not cause sunburn.
UV can cause DNA damage which can cause skin cancer. There is no association yet between HEV and skin cancers.
UV and HEV generate free radicals and free radicals damage.
UV and HEV can induce uneven skin and hyperpigmentation (dark spots and Melasma).
HEV can cause inflammation, impaired healing, and impacted melanogenesis which causes dark spots.
Both UVA and HEV can cause photodamage and cause the skin to age prematurely.
HEV Blue light is everywhere. It is emitted in the sun’s ray as well as many digital items and lamps.
The buzz is that HEV high energy visible light is causing “screen face” and contributing to “tech-neck” as it accelerates skin aging.
Known Sources of HEV Blue Light:
The sun
Fluorescent, incandescent, halogen and LED light
Computer monitors and laptops
Smartphones, tablets, and e-readers
TVs
Some of the harmful effects of HEV blue light are:
Can disrupt the circadian rhythm and may interfere with your night’s sleep.
Premature aging. Fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Increased risk of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Higher risk of depression.
Eye damage such as macular degeneration.
Computer Vision Syndrome (or Digital Eyestrain Syndrome) – blurry vision, dry and irritated eyes, difficulty focusing, headaches, neck and back pain.
Is blue light just bad for us?
No. Routine exposure to visible daylight helps regulate our body’s sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), elevates our mood, keeps us alert and can even help memory and cognitive function.
How can you protect your skin?
Apply a daily sunscreen to shield the skin from cell-damaging UVA, UVB, and high energy visible (HEV) light.
Also apply antioxidant-rich products to help combat free radicals damage caused by pollution and environmental aggressors.
Also apply products with active ingredients to help detoxify, energize and improve the health of your skin.
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants to combat oxidation.
What products do we recommend to shield your skin from HEV damage?
SkinMedica Lumivive System – This unique system, rich in antioxidants and active ingredients, helps detoxify the skin, recharges the skin’s ability to repair itself, defends your skin against blue light, pollution and environmental aggressors and helps restore a glowing and youthful appearance to your skin.
ZO Skin Health Oclipse Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 – Water resistant, non-greasy, quick-drying sunscreen with a sheer matte finish with broad-spectrum protection against UVA, UVB rays and high-energy visible (HEV) light.
What skin treatments do we recommend for HEV damage?
We suggest Chemical Peels, FotoFacials IPLs, Rejuvapen Microneedling and PRP Facial with SkinBooster. Chemical Peels can exfoliate dead cells, improve fine lines and wrinkles, and improve texture and pigmentation. FotoFacial IPL can reduce red and brown spots, minimize pore size, and stimulate collagen production. Rejuvapen Microneedling helps tighten the skin, minimize pore size, improve the appearance of the skin and boost collagen production. PRP Facial can boost collagen production, tighten, improve pigmentation, texture, and tone.
Free radicals are highly reactive and unstable atoms, ions, or molecules that can damage the cells in our body. They form when a molecule loses or gain electrons, this lack of balance makes them unstable.
To become stable again they scavenger other molecules and steal their electrons.
When a free radical molecule attacks another molecule to steal its electron it is called “oxidation”.
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The molecule that was attacked and lost its electron is now unstable and becomes a free radical, this molecule is now “oxidized” and it will attack other molecules so it can replace its missing electron. This can cause a chain reaction and the molecules become in oxidative stress and damaged, which can cause the cell to weaken, die, or mutate.
Are All Free Radicals Bad?
No. Free radicals are produced naturally in the body, and they do have a purpose. They can help us fight infection, help repair tissue injury, they attack foreign invaders in the blood, and they help our immune system. However, lifestyle factors can accelerate their production and this can cause havoc to our cells.
What Are the Harmful Sources of Free Radicals?
Exposure to UV radiation
Exposure to other environmental pollutants (cigarette smoke, air and water pollution, pesticides and herbicides in the food we eat)
Cigarettes or tobacco, drugs, and alcohol consumption
Certain medications or high use of antibiotics, which leads to antibiotic resistance
A poor diet (unhealthy fats, excessive sugar, pesticides, herbicides or synthetic additives)
Too much exercise (overtraining) generates added free radicals
High amounts of emotional or physical stress. Stress hormones (excessive cortisol) can generate free radicals
What is Oxidation, Oxidized, and Oxidative Stress and Why They Matter?
Oxidation is when a free radical steals electrons from another molecule and damage parts of the cell, such as proteins, DNA, cell membranes and more.
The molecule that lost its electrons becomes Oxidized.
Oxidative stress is when the body has gone to more oxidation than it can combat.
The body combats oxidative stress with antioxidants. When the amount of free radicals exceeds the amount of antioxidants, oxidative stress happens. That’s when oxidation damages our cells, proteins and our DNA.
What Can Oxidative Stress Cause?
Central nervous system diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and other dementias
Cardiovascular disease
Autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer
Cataracts and age-related vision decline
Diabetes
Genetic degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s or Huntington’s Disease
Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the blood vessels
High blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension
Accelerated skin aging which causes changes in our skin such as loss of elasticity, compromised skin barrier, wrinkles, dryness, texture irregularities, pigmentation, skin cancer and more
Hair loss and hair texture changes
How does Free Radical Damage affect your skin?
Free radical damage can cause deterioration of the collagen, elastin fibers and DNA within the cells and they can accelerate cell death. As we age we slow down and even stop the production of collagen and elastin. Once they are weak or damaged the skin loses elasticity, plumpness, and moisture which causes fine lines, wrinkles, saggy skin, texture irregularities, and dryness. The dead cells, in turn, stay on the surface of the skin longer because the cell turnover rate slows down. This causes rough skin, hyperpigmentation, dry and dull skin.
How Can You Minimize Free Radical Damage?
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants. Some foods rich in antioxidants are berries, cherries, citrus fruits, prunes, dark leafy greens, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes, olives, fish, nuts, turmeric, green tea, melatonin, onion, garlic, cinnamon, foods rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin C, CoQ10
Apply broad-spectrum sun protection daily
Add an antioxidant-rich serum, cream or lotion to your skincare regimen
Don’t smoke or get exposed to second-hand smoking
Beware of chemical exposure such as pesticides on food or gardening
Decrease your alcohol intake
Get plenty of sleep
Participate in a regular, moderate exercise routine
Avoid overeating or eating too much sugar, fats, artificial flavorings, preservatives, synthetic or processed foods
Regular Meditation and diaphragmatic breathing
How Can Antioxidants Help Fight Free Radical Damage?
Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by donating an electron and ending the electron-stealing chain reaction.
They are thought of as “self-sacrificing soldiers” and help prevent oxidative stress.
As we age, the skin’s own antioxidant defense system weakens, losing its capacity to fight the oxidative stress caused by free radicals. An antioxidant-rich diet and a concentrated antioxidant skincare routine can help boost your antioxidant defense!
What Products Rich in Antioxidants does Rejuvent Recommend?
We recommend adding an antioxidant-rich serum, cream or lotion to your skincare routine in the AM and PM and we recommend applying a broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days.
Antioxidant Serums, Lotions, and Creams:
SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic
– Protects against free radical damage, brightens, and firms the skin. Ideal for all skin types even sensitive and dry skin.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF
– Protects against free radical damage and helps brighten pigmentation. Ideal for normal, oily, combination, and aging skin types. Liquid formula.
SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF Gel
– Protects against free radical damage and helps brighten pigmentation. Ideal for normal, oily, combination, and aging skin types. Light gel formula.
SkinCeuticals Serum 10 AOX+
– Protects against free radical damage and helps brighten pigmentation. Ideal all types including sensitive skin.
SkinCeuticals Resveratrol B E
– Nighttime formula neutralizes free radicals and improves the appearance of skin radiance, firmness, and density, Ideal for all skin types.
SkinCeuticals AOX + Eye Gel
– Specially formulated for the eye area. Protects against free radical damage and helps reduce the appearance of puffiness and under-eye bags. Ideal for all skin types.
ZO Daily Power Defense
– Combats free radicals help tighten and brighten the skin. Contains peptides and retinol. Ideal for all skin types.
Jan Marini C-ESTA Face Serum
– Protects against free radical damage, helps firm and tone the skin. Serum formulation. Ideal for all skin types.
Jan Marini C-ESTA Face Cream
– Protects against free radical damage, helps firm and tone the skin. Creamy formulation. Ideal for all skin types.
Jan Marini C-ESTA Eye Repair Concentrate
– Specially formulated for the eye area, contains DMAE to help tighten the skin. Use around the lips to help prevent lip lines! Ideal for all skin types.
SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum
– All in one product. Contains 7 antioxidants, growth factors, peptides. Ideal for all skin types.
SkinCeuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50 – Tinted 100% mineral physical protection. Formulated specifically for the eyes area, even the eyelid. Moisturizing, gentle, and non-irritating.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF50 – Tinted 100% mineral powder physical protection. Water-resistant 80 minutes. Protects against UVA, UVB, Infrared rays and blue light. Contain moisturizing, calming, and antioxidant ingredients.
Colorescience Lip Shine SPF 35 – Tinted or untinted mineral physical protection for your lips! Water-resistant 40 minutes. Contains peptides, moisturizing and hydrating ingredients.
For a skin analysis and consultation, please call Rejuvent Scottsdale at 480-889-8880.
Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants which protect the skin cells from UV-related damage and environmental. But Vitamin C does much more than just that…
What Can Vitamin C Really Do?
Promotes Collagen Production – Vitamin C helps boost collagen production, filling in fine lines and wrinkles.
Protects Skin From Sun Damage – RIch in antioxidants, Vitamin C. Protects skin cells and skin’s support structure from free radicals and UV-related damage.
Reduces Under-Eye Circles – Vitamin C has also been found to help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of under-eye circles.
Speeds Up Healing – Vitamin C can help to speed up the body’s natural healing processes so it can help fade acne scars, and other blemishes more quickly and effectively.
Reduces Skin Discoloration – Vitamin C helps even out discoloration and redness and help you achieve a more uniform skin tone and better complexion.
Improves Hydration and Moisture – Vitamin C can help improve the skin’s moisture content and overall hydration.
Creates Brighter, Healthier Skin – Vitamin C can brighten otherwise dull skin, and it helps your skin look healthier and more vibrant.
Reduces Inflammation – Vitamin C, in high enough concentrations, has inflammation-reducing qualities and can help with puffiness around the eyes or other areas of your face.
Speeds Up Healing of Sunburns – Vitamin C, not only helps your sunscreen in preventing sunburns it also helps to speed up healing of sunburns.
Boost the efficacy of sunscreen actives – Vitamin C helps your sunscreen work better at protecting your skin.
In a peer-reviewed article, “Topical Vitamin C,” Dr. Patricia Farris’ research supports the positive effects of vitamin C, stating, “A significant body of scientific research supports the use of cosmeceuticals containing vitamin C. Cutaneous benefits include promoting collagen synthesis, photoprotection from ultraviolet A and B, lightening hyperpigmentation, and improvement of a variety of inflammatory dermatoses.”
The SkinCeuticals Vitamin C Line:
Provides advanced environmental protection by neutralizing damaging free radicals
Improves the appearance of discoloration and overall skin tone
Once absorbed, this vitamin C serum remains effective for a minimum of 72 hours
Paraben-, fragrance-, and dye-free
Ideal for normal, oily, and combination skin types
All antioxidants, including vitamin C, can deteriorate in the presence of air and light. If a product containing antioxidants does not come in opaque packaging that reduces air exposure, don’t buy it!
Not all Vitamin C are created equal, and the correct concentration is very important as too much can irritate the skin and too little provides no real benefit. At Rejuvent, we only sell Vitamin C products that have been proven effective during testing and use, our products come from medical grade companies, leaders in their fields, with a proven efficacy record. We are authorized resellers of all skin care we sell.
If you have any questions about Vitamin C products, please call us at 480.889.8880.
Promotes Collagen Production – Vitamin C helps boost collagen production, filling in fine lines and wrinkles.
All antioxidants, including vitamin C, can deteriorate in the presence of air and light. If a product containing antioxidants does not come in opaque packaging that reduces air exposure, don’t buy it!