Meghan Hodges
Air pollution is a pressing issue that affects climate change and destroys ecosystems, animals, and plants. It also has a significant impact on human health and well-being. One aspect of human health that is affected by air pollution is our skin. The skin is one of the main targets of pollutants, which reach both the superficial and deeper layers of the skin through direct and indirect exposure. This exposure can lead to a range of skin issues, including premature aging, skin cancer, and inflammatory skin diseases. With increasing levels of air pollution and its detrimental effects on the skin, it is essential to understand the impact of pollution on skin health and explore strategies to mitigate these effects.
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What You'll Learn
- Cigarette smoke and air pollutants can cause premature ageing, acne and skin cancer
- Air pollution can trigger inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are associated with pigmentation, acneiform eruptions and skin ageing
- Oxidative stress, skin barrier damage and microbiome dysbiosis are caused by air pollution
- The skin is one of the main targets of pollutants, which reach deeper layers via transcutaneous routes
Cigarette smoke and air pollutants can cause premature ageing, acne and skin cancer
Cigarette smoke and air pollutants can have detrimental effects on the skin, including premature ageing, acne, and skin cancer.
Firstly, cigarette smoke and air pollutants can cause premature ageing. Specifically, cigarette smoke has been shown to induce age-related changes due to modulation of TGF-beta. It impairs the production of collagen and increases the production of tropoelastin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), which degrade matrix proteins, and also causes an abnormal production of elastosis material. Similarly, air pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) have been found to increase wrinkles and age spots, with one study showing a 25% increase in age spots on the cheeks of participants with a relatively small increase in pollution.
Secondly, cigarette smoke and air pollutants have been linked to acne. Cigarette smoke is associated with a non-inflammatory form of acne called atypical post-adolescent acne (APAA) or "smoker's acne". It is also linked to acne inversa, which can cause irreversible damage. Air pollutants have also been found to exacerbate acne symptoms, with studies showing a correlation between ambient air pollution and acne.
Lastly, cigarette smoke and air pollutants can increase the risk of skin cancer. Cigarette smoke contains over 5000 chemicals, with at least 70 known to cause cancer. These chemicals damage DNA, including parts that protect against cancer, and make it harder for cells to repair DNA damage, leading to a build-up of damage over time that results in cancer. Air pollutants have also been found to contribute to skin cancer, with the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway playing a key role.
Overall, it is clear that cigarette smoke and air pollutants can have significant negative impacts on skin health and should be taken seriously.
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Air pollution can trigger inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
The skin is one of the main targets of pollutants, which reach the superficial and deeper skin layers by transcutaneous and systemic routes. Air pollution can trigger inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.
Airborne pollutants can induce biochemical effects such as an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) via the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). This leads to an elevation of lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, and cell death (apoptosis), as well as a reduction in cell proliferation and antioxidant and ATP levels. The activation of AhR can also cause a decrease in skin cell proliferation together with the apoptosis of keratinocytes and fibroblasts.
The altered redox homeostasis from air pollution initiates downstream signaling cascades, interplaying between inflammation and oxidative stress products, thus contributing to a vicious cycle of skin inflammation. This inflammatory response can be further exacerbated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which is a physical pollutant that penetrates the skin more deeply due to the depletion of the ozone layer.
Living in a polluted environment may also reduce skin moisture and increase the rate of sebum excretion, further aggravating the symptoms of chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Additionally, pollutants can interact with the skin's microbiome and trigger or exacerbate inflammatory skin conditions.
It is important to note that cigarette smoke, a common source of air pollution, has been specifically linked to an increased incidence of psoriasis, providing further evidence of the link between air pollution and inflammatory skin diseases.
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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are associated with pigmentation, acneiform eruptions and skin ageing
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a significant organic pollutant found in particulate matter and cigarette smoke. They are characterised by the presence of multiple benzene rings, such as benzopyrene, anthracene, and phenanthrene. PAHs are formed during the heat processing of meat, including grilling, roasting, smoking, and frying, particularly at high temperatures. They are also found in barbecue smoke and atmospheric particulate matter.
PAHs have been linked to skin pigmentation, with studies exposing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to PAHs and observing increased melanin content and localisation. PAHs induce up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines/chemokine in PBMC, which can lead to acneiform eruptions.
In addition to their impact on pigmentation and acne, PAHs are associated with skin ageing. They can cause a decrease in skin cell proliferation and the apoptosis of keratinocytes and fibroblasts, leading to premature skin ageing. The activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway by PAHs can also contribute to skin ageing, as it plays a role in regulating skin inflammatory responses.
The impact of PAHs on the skin is a growing area of research, and while many of their underlying mechanisms remain to be fully understood, it is clear that they have a detrimental effect on skin health and can contribute to various skin conditions and diseases.
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Oxidative stress, skin barrier damage and microbiome dysbiosis are caused by air pollution
The skin is the body's first line of defense against external aggressors, and it is vulnerable to the harmful effects of air pollution. Oxidative stress, skin barrier damage, and microbiome dysbiosis are all consequences of air pollution exposure, which can lead to a variety of skin problems.
Oxidative stress is a condition caused by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's antioxidant defense system. Air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), especially fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine (PM0.1) particles, ozone, nitrogen oxides, and transition metals, are potent oxidants or capable of generating ROS. Long-term exposure to high levels of these particles can increase the risk of cancer, respiratory diseases, and arteriosclerosis. The skin, being a primary barrier, is susceptible to this oxidative damage, which can lead to lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation, DNA damage, and cell death.
Air pollution also impairs the skin's barrier function. The skin barrier, composed of the stratum corneum and the epidermis, protects against water loss and prevents the entry of foreign substances. Pollutant particles can adhere to the skin's surface and penetrate the deeper layers, disrupting the skin's barrier function. Ultrafine particles, in particular, can permeate both damaged and intact skin, exacerbating the skin's vulnerability to other pollutants and UV radiation.
Additionally, air pollution contributes to microbiome dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the skin's microbial ecosystem. The skin microbiome plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health and immunity. However, exposure to pollutants can alter the composition and diversity of the skin microbiome, leading to the overgrowth of harmful bacteria and the suppression of beneficial bacteria. This dysbiosis can further impact the skin's barrier function and increase susceptibility to skin infections and inflammatory conditions.
The effects of air pollution on the skin can vary depending on individual factors such as home location, work environment, and diet. Protective measures, such as wearing protective clothing, using rinsing products to remove pollutants, and applying barrier creams, can help mitigate the impact of air pollution on the skin.
In summary, air pollution induces oxidative stress, damages the skin barrier, and disrupts the skin microbiome. These interconnected effects can lead to a range of skin issues, from premature aging and inflammation to more severe conditions such as atopic dermatitis and skin cancer. Understanding the complex ways in which air pollution affects the skin is essential for developing effective preventive measures and treatments to safeguard skin health.
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The skin is one of the main targets of pollutants, which reach deeper layers via transcutaneous routes
The skin is the body's first line of defence against external aggressors, and it is constantly exposed to pollutants in our environment. These pollutants can be natural, such as ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun, or anthropic, such as cigarette smoke and vehicle emissions. When the skin is exposed to these pollutants over an extended period, its barrier function can become compromised, leading to various skin issues.
Airborne pollutants can reach the skin through direct and indirect dermal uptake. In direct dermal uptake, airborne pollutants accumulate on the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the skin, and subsequently penetrate deeper layers. This direct contact induces biochemical effects such as an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which leads to oxidative stress and cell death (apoptosis). Indirect dermal uptake occurs when inhaled or ingested pollutants enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body, including the skin.
Oxidative stress and the generation of free radicals by pollutants can trigger inflammatory responses in the skin. This can result in the exacerbation of chronic inflammatory skin diseases, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and acne. Pollutants can also interact with the skin's microbiome, compromising its structural integrity and triggering further skin issues.
Additionally, pollutants can accelerate the skin ageing process, known as extrinsic or photoaging. This is characterised by coarse wrinkles, pigmentation irregularities, and solar elastosis. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in cigarette smoke, and ultraviolet radiation are significant contributors to premature skin ageing.
The skin is a vital organ that protects the body from external threats. However, when exposed to high levels of pollutants, its protective function can be compromised, leading to a range of skin issues and an increased risk of skin diseases and tumours. Protecting the skin from pollution is essential for maintaining its health and integrity.
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Frequently asked questions
Air pollution can affect the structure and function of the skin, causing inflammatory skin diseases, skin ageing, and skin cancer.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which penetrates the Earth's surface due to the depletion of the ozone layer, causes extrinsic skin ageing (photoaging) characterised by coarse wrinkles, solar elastosis, and pigment irregularities.
The activation of the AhR pathway by PAHs can cause skin cancer.
Air pollution triggers inflammatory responses and exacerbates chronic inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, alopecia, and eczema.
To protect your skin from the harmful effects of pollution, it is advisable to use strategies to decrease your exposure to air pollution and protect your skin with clothing, sunscreen, or other physical barriers.
