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.

Delhi's Air Quality Index today recorded 'severe' in several location. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data from 40 monitoring stations from across the city showed AQI above 401 at 7.05 am on Wednesday morning. City's average AQI stood at 376.

While it has only been three days into December, the AQI levels have undergone severe changes. On November 30, Delhi's AQI was recorded at 279, on December 1, it was recorded at 304, while on December 2, the AQI went up to 372.

Amid all this, Dr Ritu Singh, Director Professor and HOD, Department of Biochemistry at Lady Hardinge Medical College posted on her Instagram, what she calls the 'only steps to save your lungs in Delhi".

What Does the Doctor Say?

"If you’re living in Delhi right now, the first line of protection is simple: avoid breathing unfiltered air. If you can’t leave the city, wear an N95 mask every time you step outside or move away from a HEPA-filtered space," says Dr Ritu Singh.

The doctor points out that keeping a high quality HEPA filter at home and at your workplace is essential. She points out that though it may be expensive, but one should know that their "lungs are not replaceable". She says, "Yes, spend all your hard earned money on HEPA filters because the lung is not replaceable."

What Is HEPA Filter? How Does It Help?

As per the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), HEPA or also known as the high efficiency particulate air is a type of filter that can theoretically remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns (µm). The diameter specification of 0.3 microns corresponds to the worst case; the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). Particles that are larger or smaller are trapped with even higher efficiency. Using the worst case particle size results in the worst case efficiency rating (i.e. 99.97% or better for all particle sizes).

What Else Can Be Done To Stay Safe From Air Pollution?

Dr Singh suggests that indoor plants could be added, though it could only offer a "small but meaningful improvement in air quality".

One famous NASA experiment, published in 1989, found that indoor plants can scrub the air of cancer-causing volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and benzene.

These plants are:

• Spider Plant
• Snake Plant
• Peace Lilly
• Aloe Vera
• Boston Fern
• English Ivy
• Rubber Plant
• Golden Photos
• Bamboo Palm
• Dracaena

The doctor also recommends that one should increase their intakes of antioxidant foods. "Increase your antioxidant intake—turmeric, amla, oranges—these won’t fix pollution, but they help your body cope with oxidative stress.”

Antioxidants strengthen the immune system by fighting oxidative stress, which is caused by unstable molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS). The body's normal processes, like breathing and metabolism, create free radicals (ROS). Antioxidants donate electrons to these unstable molecules, which neutralizes them and stops them from damaging healthy cells.

"Right now, the goal is extremely clear: prevent inhalation of polluted air. Delhi’s current levels are dangerous for the lungs, the heart, and the entire respiratory system," the doctor says.

India is only second in the world to have people with chronic kidney diseases in 2023, said The Lancet study. In 2023, China recorded 152 million patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), while India was at 138 million.

The study, led by researchers from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington, along with collaborators in the U.S. and the U.K., found that CKD was the ninth-leading cause of death worldwide, claiming nearly 15 lakh lives in 2023.

Regionally, the highest prevalence was reported in North Africa and the Middle East (18% each), followed by South Asia (nearly 16%), and more than 15% in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

In fact, senior director and HOD Nephrology at Medanta Kidney and Urology Institute, Dr Shyam Bansal says, "Chronic kidney disease is one of the fastest-growing chronic illnesses in India, mainly because diabetes and hypertension are becoming more common. Diabetes now affects about 10% of the population and hypertension nearly 25%, and together they remain the leading causes of kidney disease."

The report also highlighted CKD’s strong link to heart disease. It contributed to almost 12% of global cardiovascular deaths in 2023 and ranked as the seventh-leading cause of heart-related mortality, ahead of diabetes and obesity.

The researchers outlined 14 key risk factors for CKD, with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity contributing the most to the loss of healthy life. Dietary habits—such as low intake of fruits and vegetables and high sodium consumption, also played a significant role in raising CKD risk.

“Chronic kidney disease is both a major risk factor for other leading causes of health loss and a significant disease burden in its own right. Yet, it continues to receive far less policy attention than other non-communicable diseases, even as its impact grows fastest in regions already facing the greatest health inequities,” said senior author Theo Vos, professor emeritus at IHME.

The findings draw on data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 study, which tracked trends in diseases, injuries, and health risk factors across 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2023.

Importance of Early Detection Of Chronic Kidney Disease

Importantly, the authors noted that most people with CKD in 2023 were in the early stages, highlighting the urgent need for strong screening programmes and strategies to reduce risk before the disease advances.

This is why its early diagnosis is utmost important. Dr Bansal on the need for early detection says, "“The biggest challenge is identifying people at risk as early as possible. Early diagnosis and timely control of risk factors are essential if we want to slow the progression of chronic kidney disease."

Early detection could also reduce heart-related deaths due to kidney disease and delay one's requirement for replacement therapies, which is usually sought in advanced stages of the disease.

Dr Bansal also points out that early detection could help one live a better life and also in many ways reduce the burden on the Indian healthcare system, and save cost. "We are dealing with a large population at risk, and kidney disease is complex and costly to treat. While infrastructure and specialist availability are improving, managing this growing burden remains a significant challenge," he says.

A GP has raised concern about a key sign that may show you have Covid rather than a cold or flu. Winter illnesses often look alike, which makes it hard to tell them apart, and getting the right diagnosis is important for proper care. Dr Rupa Parmar, GP and medical director at Midland Health, explained that there are certain clues that can help people understand what they are dealing with. She advised that anyone unsure should check with their doctor, as it is safer to ask than ignore a concern.

Why Breathlessness Matters

Dr Parmar noted that shortness of breath stands out as a sign of Covid. It rarely appears in a cold or flu, but it is common with Covid because the infection tends to affect the lungs and cause inflammation. The NHS also lists breathlessness as a sign linked more strongly with Covid than with flu or a cold. This symptom is also seen in conditions such as respiratory syncytial virus. In some cases, people with the flu who do not recover and worsen may develop breathing trouble if they develop complications such as pneumonia.

How Cough Patterns Differ

She added that coughs appear in all three infections, but they do not sound the same. A cold usually causes a light cough, flu tends to bring a dry one, and Covid usually causes a dry, ongoing cough. Many people with Covid cough for more than an hour or have several episodes of coughing through the day.

Loss Of Taste Or Smell As A Warning Sign

Another clue is a change in taste or smell. Dr Parmar said this sign is more specific to Covid. A sudden loss of taste or smell, or even a noticeable change, is more likely linked to the coronavirus. She explained that the pattern of symptoms often helps point to the right illness. A mild cough and sore throat usually fit a cold, a fever and strong fatigue suggest flu, and a loss of smell or taste with a steady cough point to Covid.

How Symptoms Begin And Progress

She also noted that the start of symptoms can differ. A cold tends to appear slowly, flu symptoms usually show up quickly within a few hours, and Covid can begin with mild signs that grow stronger over time. A cold mainly affects the nose and throat, while flu and Covid can cause symptoms across the body.

What To Do If You Have Covid Symptoms

Even though there are no formal self-isolation rules anymore, the NHS advises people to stay home and limit contact with others if they or their children have symptoms and either have a high temperature or feel too unwell to manage daily activities at work, school, or home. The NHS states that people can return to their usual routine once they feel well again or no longer have a high temperature.