Many people believe that the modern-day skincare trends are a scam made by the big pharma companies who wish to make more money. This is a recent trend of ‘Anti-Aging’ skincare that keeps yourself on toes for the innate need for women to stay ‘young’ if they wish to be desirable. The beauty industry, in a way, feeds on such societal-made insecurities. But the recent rise in the trend has taken a different turn. While before people did it before to look prettier or fairer, now people are looking at this skincare routine as a way of taking care of themselves rather than doing to match someone else's beauty standards. This is why, this trend has resurfaced in the skin care community. This is the blue light routine.

In today's digital age, where we spend countless hours looking at screens, from phones and tablets to laptops. This constant screen time exposes us to blue light, which research suggests can have negative effects on our skin. It also leads to premature aging and dark spots. The screens also leads to stress, which could further cause harm to skin. While ditching our devices isn't realistic, a growing number of skincare products claim to protect against blue light. But do these products actually work?

What is Blue Light Skincare?

You can find many skincare products that say they protect against blue light, like sprays, creams, gels, and sunscreens. Some promise to undo the damage blue light might cause, while others try to prevent it in the first place. Blue light sunscreens are special because they protect against both the sun's UV rays and blue light. This is what regular sunscreens don't do very well. Regular sunscreens, whether they use chemicals or minerals, don't block blue light as effectively.

However, tinted sunscreens are different. Tinted sunscreens with SPF 30 or higher can protect your skin from blue light, as well as UVA and UVB rays from the sun. This is because of the coloring in the tint. Some newer sunscreens also have special ingredients that help protect against visible light, including blue light. While scientists are still learning about how blue light affects skin, many skin doctors have found it to be helpful for skin.

What is Blue Light and Why Might It Be a Problem?

Blue light comes from screens, TVs, and even the sun. While we used to worry mostly about how it affects our eyes and sleep, now we're learning it might also affect our skin. Some studies show that too much blue light can damage skin cells and speed up aging, leading to wrinkles and uneven skin tone. It can also cause dark spots on the skin. This happens because blue light can cause something called "oxidative stress" in the skin, which is linked to aging. It leads to dead skin cells. Blue light goes deeper into the skin than the sun's UV rays and can make skin cells produce more pigment, causing dark spots. It's important to know that not all blue light is bad. There is a difference between the blue light that comes out of the screens and the blue light that is used from a certain blue light wavelength as a therapy. The latter is used by doctors to treat acne and some skin cancers.

Amid rising cases of measles in neighboring countries, India is concerned, and steps are being taken to ward off any potential outbreaks in the nation, said Dr NK Arora, Chair of the National Verification Committee (NVC) for Measles-Rubella Elimination in India.

In an exclusive conversation with HealthandMe, the expert emphasized the growing concerns over the spread of measles, particularly following outbreaks in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

He noted that in the case of polio, India is free, and fortunately, neighbors like Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and even Myanmar are all polio-free.

“But measles is something which we are worried about,” Dr Arora said.

"We are aware of outbreaks in Myanmar, particularly among the Rohingya population, and the subsequent spread to Bangladesh, where there has been a large-scale outbreak with numerous fatalities," he added.

Measles: Strengthening India's Porous Border

As per official data, Bangladesh has recorded 227 child deaths since March in one of its worst outbreaks of measles in decades, with the number of suspected cases reaching nearly 35,000, AFP reported.

Dr Arora pointed out that the porous borders India shares with Bangladesh make the risk of cross-border transmission higher, particularly given the large movement of people between the two countries.

To counter this, the expert mentioned that India has strengthened surveillance in states bordering Bangladesh, like Tripura, Manipur, and Meghalaya, but also admitted that more efforts are needed.

Meghalaya’s state health department have called for stepping up surveillance in East Khasi Hills District. Similarly, Health officials in Tripura are also assessing the prevailing measles and rubella situation, with a focus on vaccination coverage and containment measures. The health officials have stressed to strengthen surveillance, early detection, reporting, and response mechanisms.

Also read: Measles Again On The Rise Globally: Is India At Risk?

Notably, Nepal has also reported at least four outbreaks of the deadly viral disease —one in Sarlahi and three in Baglung—since the start of 2026.

"If even one case of measles comes in, it can spread quickly due to the virus's high reproductive or transmission dynamics. A single infected child can spread the virus to up to 12 to 18 others very quickly, which is extremely worrisome," he explained.

Dr. Arora stressed the importance of identifying suspected measles cases early, which he defined as any child with fever and rash.

"While these symptoms could indicate other diseases too, it's crucial to have a sensitive definition to quickly detect measles cases.

Once a suspect with fever and rash is identified, samples are promptly sent to the lab for confirmation, and immediate alerts are issued," he told HealthandMe.

Measles: Sporadic Outbreaks In India

Dr. Arora also addressed the ongoing efforts to eliminate measles and rubella in India, which have been bolstered by targeted interventions and public awareness campaigns.

Since the beginning of the year, India is seeing sporadic outbreaks of measles. Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior reported three outbreaks, and Morena six.

Over January and February 2026, 41 children were diagnosed with measles in Tikari village in Madhya Pradesh.

However, swift action by health authorities with proactive frontline engagement and data-driven rapid response prevented an escalation into large measles outbreaks.

"Our goal is to prevent any deaths from measles, which in today's time, should be entirely avoidable," said the Chair of the NVC.

Referring to increasing child deaths due to the highly infectious disease in Bangladesh, he said: "If a child dies from measles, it indicates a significant gap in the quality of care provided."

Further, Dr. Arora explained that measles complications such as severe pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis are of particular concern, as these can be exacerbated by weakened immunity following other illnesses, such as malaria. Therefore, he emphasized the need to improve the quality of care and ensure timely and effective treatment for affected children.

Read more: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Denies Link To Measles Outbreak At Senate Hearing

What is Measles?

Measles is one of the world's most contagious diseases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), and is spread through coughs and sneezes.

The vaccine-preventable disease can affect people of any age but is most common among children, and can cause complications that include brain swelling and severe respiratory problems.

Symptoms typically appear seven to 14 days after exposure and may include:

• high fever,
• cough,
• runny nose,
• red eyes,
• rashes across the body.

Ever tried logging off social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram? For many, checking notifications, scrolling through feeds, and engaging with content has become second nature, often leading to an unnoticed addiction.

While digital dependence can significantly impact mental health, relationships, and overall well-being, most people don’t realize how much time they’re actually spending online.

To understand its effects, researchers at Stanford University in the US asked the 36,000 study participants to log off on weekends from their Facebook and Instagram accounts. The results showed that the people who stayed off felt measurably better.

Disconnecting from social media was seen as a powerful way to regain balance and focus in the increasingly connected world.

The study split participants into groups: about 275 were paid to deactivate their accounts for six weeks, while others logged off for just one week. Both groups showed improved emotional well-being compared to those who kept scrolling, but the effect was more pronounced for Facebook users who went longer without it.

Facebook users over 35 showed the biggest mood improvements, while among Instagram users, the 18-to-24 group benefited most.

Also read: Is India Set To Implement A Social Media Ban For Children?

Social Media And Mental Health

An increasing number of studies and the community at large are convinced that social media are detrimental to our mental health and general well-being.

According to a recent YouGov poll taken in the UK in January 2026, 37 percent of adults gave a general negative review of social media's impact on their mental health, more than twice the number of people who say otherwise.

Merely 14 percent of them admitted to receiving a positive effect from social media on their mental health.

The Pew Research Center survey, conducted in 2024, discloses that 45 percent of US teenagers think social media is damaging their sleep, and 40 percent believe it is hurting their productivity, which are both key factors of mental health.

In 2023, former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy named social media as a major threat to the mental health of teens. He also released a social media advisory about social media and mental health.

The advisory indicates that frequent social media use could be associated with changes in parts of the brain related to emotions and learning. Additionally, it can affect impulse control, social behavior, emotional regulation, and sensitivity to social punishments and rewards.

Read More: The Cost Of Social Media Addiction: Study Says It Can Give Kids Eating Disorders

In serious cases, social media can also contribute to self-harm or suicidal thoughts, especially among teens and children facing cyberbullying or trolling. Young people are particularly vulnerable to online pressures, negative comparisons, and feelings of rejection.

“Excessive social media exposure has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and, most importantly, difficulty with regulating attention and emotions. Algorithms intensify comparison, validation-seeking, and exposure to harmful content, which children lack the maturity to process,” Dr. Sachin Pradeep Baliga, Associate Consultant Mental Health & Behavioural Sciences, Fortis Healthcare, told HealthandMe.

Is Quitting The Only Option?

According to mental health experts, moderation and mindfully controlled usage could be the key.

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It is far more effective to come up with a plan that helps your interaction with social media platforms be healthier, such as limiting your time on social media platforms, avoiding harmful content, and pursuing real-world connections, rather than completely demonizing social media.

A team of researchers at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Patna has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the link between heatstroke and fatalities.

The study published in the Medico-Legal Journal identified a specific brain center and vascular injury patterns that play a crucial role in heatstroke-related deaths.

The research team discovered that the anterior hypothalamus, which serves as the brain's primary temperature-regulating center, undergoes severe structural damage during heatstroke. This damage is found to be a key factor in the fatal outcomes associated with heatstroke.

“The study establishes that the anterior hypothalamus undergoes critical structural damage during heat stroke, making it a central driver of fatal outcomes. The injury in the hypothalamus can be used as definitive evidence in the forensic diagnosis of heat-stroke deaths,” said lead author Dr Ashok Kumar Rastogi, forensic expert, in a statement.

The finding can be a major step forward in the scientific basis for diagnosing heat stroke deaths through post-mortem examination, an area that has often posed challenges for autopsy surgeons in establishing a definitive cause of death, the researchers said.

It will also help address a long-standing medico-legal issue, particularly in the context of compensation, insurance claims, and death benefits for the families of victims.

How Was The Study Conducted?

The study was conducted by the Department of Forensic Medicine at AIIMS Patna in collaboration with the Department of Anatomy and Pathology.

The study was based on detailed post-mortem investigations of individuals exposed to extreme environmental conditions in the Patna region during 2024, including temperatures reaching 48 degrees Celsius, humidity levels up to 95 per cent, and prolonged heat exposure lasting five to eight hours, the Institute said.

The results also outlined a vascular injury pattern associated with fatal heat stroke, helping build a clearer pathological profile of the condition under extreme heat exposure.

The researchers noted that the findings could strengthen forensic investigations and support more scientifically grounded death certification in suspected cases.

Heatstroke is a medical emergency with a high case fatality rate. The body’s inability to regulate internal temperature and eliminate heat gain in such conditions increases the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Naval Vikram, Professor, Department of Medicine, at the AII India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), explained how heat stroke affects people.

“The general features of a patient with heat stroke are: first, his or her body temperature will be very high. It will not be around normal levels like 104, 105, or 106—it will be significantly elevated. Second, the person may be delirious, confused, or even in a state of unconsciousness or coma. The breathing will also be labored. These are the features of heat stroke,” Dr Vikram said.

The most vulnerable category for heat-related problems is the extremes of age—the younger children and older adults. The expert noted that younger children may not be able to express their symptoms completely. They may not be able to tell you exactly what they are feeling.

At the other end, older adults often have multiple health issues—neurological conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and kidney problems.

How Can One Prevent?

Try to avoid exposure to extreme heat as much as possible.

Adequate hydration is key.

One must cover the head and upper body, use an umbrella, stay hydrated, and take breaks in between.

If you have to work in a hot environment for a couple of hours, take a break in a cooler or temperature-controlled environment for at least half an hour before resuming, rather than continuously working in the heat.