Mitochondrial damage and cytoskeleton reorganization in human dermal fibroblasts exposed to artificial visible light similar to screen-emitted light

Abstract

Artificial visible light induces drastic molecular and cellular changes in normal human fibroblasts. This may impede normal cellular functions and contribute to premature skin aging. The present results extend our knowledge of the effects of the low-energy wavelengths that are increasingly used to treat skin disorders.

Protective Effect of the Aqueous Extract of Deschampsia antarctica (EDAFENCE®) on Skin Cells against Blue Light Emitted from Digital Devices

“…In agreement with these findings, extensive exposure times to artificial sources of blue light through the use of electronic devices can be considered to cause cellular alterations and oxidative stress, harming skin cells [4]. The key point in determining the real skin damage is the accumulative dose of natural and artificial light during the day, plus the increasing nighttime exposure to artificial light emitted by electronic devices' screens.…”

“…This phenomenon of our modern age-also called digital pollution-is shaking the concept of healthy aging, and several studies have focussed on this area, identifying urban-associated diseases [21][22][23]. In the same way, the interest in studying the role of artificial VIS in skin aging is increasing, and several studies report oxidative stress, damage and mitochondria dysfunction induced by artificial VIS in skin cells [4,8,9]. The emission spectrum of several digital devices was reviewed by Rascalou et al, and they determined their blue light irradiance to be 36 µW/cm 2 [1].…”

“…Fibroblasts and melanocytes were subjected to artificial blue light irradiation with the aim of studying the effects of the high energy visible light emitted by the screens of electronic devices [4]. The blue-light source was a narrow-band LED lamp, which emits light of 450-465 nm wavelength and 42.05 mW/cm 2 power (Segainvex, Madrid, Spain) ( Figure S1B).…”

“…UV radiation, which is responsible for the majority of harmful effects on the skin, represents just 2%-5% of the terrestrial sunlight [2]. The VIS spectrum represents approximately 50% of the solar spectrum arriving on the earth's surface, but it was considered to have little impact on skin due to its low energy [4] and hence received little attention. However, recent observations of skin photodamage following VIS exposure and prevention strategies have sparked increased interest [5,6].…”

“…Although the medical use of VIS has been in practice for a long time, a recent investigation confirmed that dermal fibroblasts are damaged by exposure to this radiation range, being the skin cells that show greater changes as opposed to keratinocytes or melanocytes [7]. Artificial VIS induces cell oxidative stress, damage and dysfunction, causing signs of early photo-aging [4,8,9]. In addition, VIS-induced oxidative stress can also alter metalloproteinase activities and decrease collagen production [10].…”