A Validated Method for Assessing the Effects of Blue Light on the Human Skin

• TR Number: 974
• Authors: Rishabh Kala, PhD, Nicole Heiberger, MS, Heather Mallin, BS, Stephanie Wheeler, MS, Anna Langerveld, PhD
• Materials Tested: blue light

 The COVID pandemic caused an increase in virtual meetings and work from home scenarios that resulted in people spending increased time indoors and in front of computer screens and electronic devices. It is estimated that 60% of people spend more than six hours per day in front of a digital device.

Studies have shown that blue light, also known as high-energy visible (HEV )light, can produce cytotoxic effects, primarily through the production of reactive oxygen species and increased inflammation. However, the topic has beencontroversialwithsomestudiesclaimingnoadverseeffectsofbluelightontheskin.

Methods for testing the effects of blue light using in vitro testing models are lacking. This work was conducted in order to develop a reproducible, validated testing method for assessing the effects of blue light on the human skin.