Impact of pollution on skin
Pollution cause prominent skin conditions. Pollution affect skin health immensely by harmful chemicals, gases and dust particles.
Premature aging
Exposure to pollutants like nitrogen oxides, free radicals increase oxidation in skin which results in less formation of collagen in skin. In premature aging, a person face conditions like wrinkles, fine lines and sagging on skin before age. This make skin less vibrant and reduce glow on skin. It is crucial to exfoliate and scrub skin regularly to avoid premature aging. Professional treatments like chemical peeling, laser therapy, micro needling and injectable like Botox and dermal fillers helps to prevent premature aging, but these treatments maybe painful or costly and might cause future damage to the skin.
Skin sensitivity and irritation
Skin sensitivity due to pollution is a main concern, especially in urban areas. Pollution can damage nature oil production and weaken skin’s barriers. To manage skin sensitivity it is crucial to strengthen skin barriers with the products containing fatty acids, ceramides. It is necessary to avoid irritants (products with alcohol, fragrances, or harsh chemicals), use SPF protection, and to use soothing treatments such as chamomile, ale vera gel, oat-based products. Targeted soothing treatments like Colloidal Oatmeal, Centella Asiatica(Cica)(also known as gotu cola), Thermal Spring Water(rich in minerals ) are very helpful to compensate this problem.
Inflammation and redness
Pollution can be the reason of inflammation and redness. This inflammation and redness is because of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide, volatile organic components. This condition can also cause long term damage or worse conditions like pre mature aging. Antioxidants such as vitamin C and E, green tea can used to prevent inflammation and redness caused by free radicals. Anti-inflammatory products and air purifiers also very helpful. Inflammation and redness may leads to critical skin issues, it is essential to consult any dermatologist in case of long term inflammation and redness.
Skin allergies
Skin allergic reactions can leads to the various issue from basic allergies to severe dermatological condition. These allergies leads to the conditions such as eczema, hives and another allergic responses. Pollutants like matter, heavy matter, VOCs react directly with skin leading to the sensitization. Sensitization occur when immune system over react with substances, trigger harmful allergic responses. PM.25 and smaller particles carry allergens such as pollen, mold spores, soot. Individuals sensitive to allergens can have conditions like allergic dermatitis when pollen and mold spores react with each other. Hypoallergenic products (fragrance free), barrier repair creams are best to prevent skin allergies.
Impaired wound healing
Pollution can damage the body repair tissues that results in impaired wound healing. It affects the skin ability to heal which leads to the delayed wounds closure, increase risk of injections. Oxidative stress can fragment the function of key cells, results in less production of fibroblasts and keratinocytes that are essential for proper wound healing. Pollutants may cause cytokine imbalance, reduce blood supply and hypoxia (low oxygen level). This may cause chronic wounds with long term health issues, poor scar formation (discolored, hypertrophic scars) and risk of secondary complications such as wound infections. Proper wound care, antioxidant therapy helps to overcome this issue.
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