As smoke from the wildfires in Canada continues to blanket parts of the United States and endanger the health of millions, experts say there's one organ that needs as much attention as the lungs : the skin.
Pollution can damage skin through many of the same mechanisms as UV rays, says dermatologist Dr. Shayan Cheraghlou to CBS News. Generation of reactive oxygen species can cause premature skin aging and exacerbate underlying skin conditions, such as eczema or other inflammatory skin conditions.
According to the National Cancer Institute, reactive oxygen species are "a type of unstable molecule" that can damage DNA. Recent studies cited by the American Academy of Dermatology found that smoke from wildfires is associated with more frequent patient visits for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
"Your skin is one of your first defenses against the environment," says Cheraghlou.
Who is most at risk of developing skin problems due to poor air quality?
Experts say people with a weakened skin barrier should be extra vigilant, such as the elderly and people with eczema.
"Older patients already have less lipids in the layers of the skin," says Cheraghlou. "That can be more difficult for them and cause more problems."
What can you do to protect your skin from smoke?
According to Cheraghlou, it's important to create a barrier between the skin and unhealthy air.
"When there is pollution it is even more important to consider that we have a strong protective barrier and this requires regular hydration of the skin", she explains. "Of course, don't forget your sunscreen. Just because it's cloudy or because of pollution doesn't mean the sun's UV rays can't penetrate and reach you."
Besides staying hydrated and applying sunscreen, staying indoors is another great option, says Cheraghlou.
"If you don't need to be outside and you have one of these diseases that weakens the skin barrier, it may be better to avoid it when air pollution levels were as high as they were in New York a few weeks ago," she says. he said.
How to repair the damage that air pollution has done to your skin?
While Cheraghlou recommends focusing on prevention, she says some products can help repair damaged skin and even strengthen the barrier.
"You can use a topical antioxidant serum like a vitamin C serum or a vitamin E serum," she says. "This helps remove these reactive oxygen species and prevents some of this damage from happening in the first place."