Pollution and Skin Woes
Ranging from dirt particles, nanoparticles of burnt objects, lead and various other toxic pollutants, the air around us is a repository of evil elements. Pollution has many detrimental effects on the health of human beings such as respiratory disorders and skin issues like dryness, premature aging, rashes, eczema, and acne.
Skin is the largest and most exposed organ of the body. It is very reactive to the toxicity of pollution due to the presence of skin pores. Consequently, the visible impact which includes dullness, allergies, itches and rashes, pigmentations and dark spots occurs rather frequently.
While the poisonous gases from vehicles and factories add up to the woes, very few know that indoor pollutants play an equal role in initiating skin troubles.
Outdoor Pollutants
The air is contaminated everywhere, only the level of contamination differs from region to region. A rural region will have more dirt and dust particles, pollens from crops and plants in the air, while the air in the urban region will have pollutants from vehicle exhausts, factory emissions and smog.
Another important outdoor agent that plays an important role in damaging the skin ¡s the sun. All these factors club together to clog skin pores, not letting it breathe. As a result, the skin tends to grow dull and appear grey in color. Meanwhile, the free radicals in the polluted air dehydrate the skin, forcing ¡t to develop lines, wrinkles, aging signs and dry patches.
Indoor Pollutants
Since air is everywhere, so ¡s pollution. The smoke from the stoves, toxics from perfumes, dust from carpets and furniture, pollute the air inside the four walls of the house. Constant exposure to these harmful toxicants can cause skin issues like dryness, irritation and rashes. Conditions like relative humidity, high temperature and warm air also add to skin troubles.
Damage Control
Skin reacts very sensitively to pollution. Although, pollution cannot be seen, its effects are very evident. Drinking lots of water, washing the face after exposure to dirt and pollution, exfoliating the skin twice a week and using a moisturizer after every wash can minimize the impact. However, there are several scenarios where an expert’s help or consultation with a dermatologist becomes mandatory.
Premature Aging And Reversing It
Exposure to Uy radiation and the skin’s reaction to toxic fumes and partides can accelerate the onset of ageing. Add to this, the rising levels of mental stress, and sleep deprivation. Therefore, premature ageing has become a common problem. Nanoparticles coming from factories, car exhausts etc. are not jUSt absorbed by the lungs but also by the skin’s surface. They cause oxidative stress and damage the skin’s cells and tissues as well as the crucial collagen that is responsible for the skin’s youthful look and flexibility. With the unavoidable exposure to pollution and the sun, skin starts aging, prematurely.
A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables and green tea is helpful. Exfoliating procedures such as chemical peels, oxygen and vitamin infusion medifacials and microdermabrasion help remove dead cells. Botox is another popular procedure that helps reverse signs of ageing and even prevents them. The loss of hydration and dullness can be reversed with hyaluronic acid based tillers such as Juvederm. Deeper wrinkles, nasolabial folds and loss of volume due to sagging skin can be dealt with fillers such as Juvederm Voluma and Juvederm Ultra. Juvederm Voluma with lidocaine makes the injectable procedure smooth and comfortable.
Dullness
Dullness not only reduces the brightness of the skin but also makes it appear lifeless. A grey, patchy and rough complexion, are signs of dull skin. Besides drinking a lot of water and fruit juices, it is important to regularly use a gentle exfoliant to scrub away dull and dead skin cells. It is also very important to moisturize and nourish the skin with anti-oxidant rich creams.
Pigmentation And Inflammation
The pollutants in the air combine with the UV rays from the sun to damage melanocytes, which produce the melanin pigment in the skin. This results in hyperpigmentation. Further, the presence of soot and particles from traffic in the air aggravates the inflammation of skin. The only remedy is covering the skin as much as possible when outdoors and the constant use of a sunscreen. Sunscreens when used with specialized vitamin C serums containing L-ascorbic acid provide an immune screen on the skin and decrease the effects of radiation by up to 90 per cent. Oral antioxidants containing pycnogenol and polypodium like KosmoGlow are important to boost immunity against the sun.
Like the body, the skin also needs proper hydration. Therefore, using a moisturiser and hydrate toner are advisable. Medical treatments like prescribed skin care and revlite lasers can be used post expert consultation, in the case of severe damage.