There’s a seemingly endless number of factors we fend off in the name of gorgeous, glowing skin—from ultraviolet (UV) radiation to stress, makeup, skin care products, and much more, we can also add air pollution to our growing list. With 92% of the world’s total population living in urban centers that do not comply with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) air quality standards, it would seem we all need to know a little more about protecting skin health against air pollution. Here’s how air pollution is really affecting your skin, plus what you can do to neutralize its effects and reverse any damage already done.
Skin has a natural protective barrier to defend itself against the daily elements, but it’s certainly not immune to the effects of pollution. While skin may offer a shield against chemicals and particles present in pollution, over time, exposure to such pollutants can lead to a compromised skin barrier if proper skin care and reparation aren’t top of mind daily. This is because the outer layer of skin is composed of lipids, or fat cells, that bind healthy skin cells together for a smoother finish. Ozone, or air pollution, damages lipids, leading to ongoing inflammation and a breakdown of skin’s natural protective barrier, which subsequently damages DNA. The end result is skin that appears much older than it is.
Likewise, carbon emissions and particulate matter, a mixture of extremely small particles and liquid present in air, are linked to aging skin, pigmentation and texture issues, cancer, and acne breakouts. More specifically, particulate matter may consist of pollutants from car exhaust, metal smelting, smoking, industrial gasses, regular old dust, or anything releasing chemicals into the air (i.e., carbon dioxide, PAHs, sulfur, or dioxide). Particulate matter poses an even greater risk of breaking through skin’s protective barrier when considering size: particulate matter ranges from 2.5 to 10 microns while a skin pore is at least five times larger, at 50 to 70 microns. And while it’s technically not particulate matter in itself that you should worry about, particles can carry any number of chemicals, with a potential 224 to defend against altogether.
In summary, the potential effects pollution can have on skin health include:
Your skin’s natural barrier offers the best defense against the effects of air pollution, but it needs a little help to recover from the damage it takes. To boost healthy skin cell renewal and support your skin’s protective barrier, opt for skin care products that feature antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and hexinol, all proven to neutralize free radicals and gradually repair skin. As always, cleansing should be top priority, particularly after a long day on the town. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking that staying indoors all day means you don’t have to cleanse at all—pollution can be a concern indoors as well. At the very least, cleanse your face, neck, and chest for one minute with a gentle, antioxidant-rich cleanser to neutralize free radicals and remove particles from skin’s surface. For improved effects, use a sonic cleansing brush, which can help to remove up to 30 times more dirt and particulate matter. Air pollution is here to stay so you might as well invest in a skin care routine fit for the challenge and ensure skin has the best possible chance to heal during your beauty sleep.
Unfortunately, a good skin care routine might not be enough for urban dwellers, whose skin tends to suffer from even worse hydration levels compared to those who live in the suburbs, despite generally making better skin care and lifestyle choices. For an even greater boost to skin health and to reverse the effects of damage already done by the concoction of chemicals in air pollution, consider a customized wrinkle reduction treatment plan. Utilizing advanced technology and radio frequency (RF) energy, these treatments deliver energy deep below the skin’s surface where it is converted to heat, spurring skin’s natural collagen production levels to repair and refine skin texture and health. Because they utilize RF energy, these anti-aging treatments are quick and safe for all skin tones.
To get started with your customized wrinkle reduction treatment plan today, locate a certified treatment professional near you using the search field below.
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REGULATORY CLEARANCES [ More ]
Venus Versa™ has CE Mark as a multi-application device intended to be used in aesthetic and cosmetic procedures. The SR515 and SR580 applicators have CE Mark for the treatment of benign pigmented epidermal and cutaneous lesions and treatment of benign cutaneous vascular lesions. The HR650/HR650XL and HR690/HR690XL applicators have CE Mark for the removal of unwanted hair and to effect stable long-term or permanent hair reduction for Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The AC Dual applicator has CE Mark for the treatment of acne vulgaris. The DiamondPolar™ applicator has CE Mark for non-invasive treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides on females with Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV. The OctiPolar™ applicator on the Venus Versa™ system has CE Mark for temporary body contouring via skin tightening, circumferential reduction, and cellulite reduction. The NanoFractional RF™ (Viva) applicator has CE Mark for dermatological procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin.
NeoGraft® 2.0 has CE Mark with indication for use in suction-assisted follicular extraction and re-implantation for males and females.
ARTAS iX™ has CE Mark with indication for use for harvesting hair follicles from the scalp in men diagnosed with androgenic alopecia (male pattern hair loss) who have black or brown straight hair. ARTAS iX™ is intended to assist physicians in identifying and extracting hair follicular units from the scalp during hair transplantation; creating recipient sites; and implanting harvested hair follicles.
Venus Epileve™ has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types. Venus Epileve™ is also CE-Marked for hirsutism.
Venus Legacy™ has CE Mark for the temporary increase of skin tightening, circumferential reduction, cellulite reduction, and wrinkle reduction.
Venus Velocity™ has CE Mark for hair removal, permanent hair reduction (defined as the long-term stable reduction in the number of hairs re-growing when measured at 6, 9 and 12 months after the completion of a treatment regimen), and the treatment of pseudofolliculitis barbae for all Fitzpatrick skin types.
Venus Viva™ has CE Mark for the use in dermatologic and general surgical procedures requiring ablation and resurfacing of the skin, and the treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides in Fitzpatrick skin types I-IV with the DiamondPolar™ applicator.
Venus Freeze Plus™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Freeze™ has CE Mark for treatment of moderate to severe facial wrinkles and rhytides using the DiamondPolar™ applicator, and CE Mark for the treatment of cellulite reduction, increase of skin tightening, and temporary circumferential reduction on the OctiPolar™ applicator.
Venus Glow™ provides a dermal rejuvenation treatment that works to open up and deep-clean pores. Venus Concept is the exclusive distributor for Venus Glow™.
Venus Bliss™ has CE Mark for addressing aspects related to body contouring, such as fat reduction and circumferential reduction, temporary increase of skin tightening and temporary cellulite reduction.
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