Violet-blue light exposure of the skin: is there need for protection?

Abstract Advocates of skin protection against blue light express concern about exposure to indoor lighting and electronic screens as well natural outdoor exposure. However, the nature adverse effects in is unclear doses induce are unknown. We aimed reveal whether there a scientific basis for promoting violet-blue (400–500 nm, VBL). Based on published literature, we determined time reach threshold dose that induced biological response human skin. In absence an action spectrum skin, used hand held probe with defined spectral measurements unweighted between 400 500 nm estimate by selection artificial sources solar light. For comparison, erythemally weighted UV was set 1 SED (standard erythema dose). Outdoor, irradiances were obtained using radiative transfer model. Induction pigmentation tissue only consistently reported endpoint after VBL 65 Jcm −2 . This reached 0.5 20 months sources. specialised medical this min 45 h. The outdoors shorter than throughout all seasons. Skin superfluous exposures domestic or radiation; however, it may be advantageous patients suffering from photosensitive diseases taking photosensitising medication.