Can Rising Air Pollution In Delhi-NCR Affect Your Skin? Expert Explains – News18

The air quality in Delhi-NCR has been declining lately and yesterday, the AQI passed the 400 danger barrier on a 500-point scale, with multiple locations experiencing dangerously high levels. The poor quality of air is often said to be very detrimental for the eyes as well as the lungs but people do not often speak about its effect on the skin. Any microbe or particle of pollution targets the skin first.

Various dangerous chemical types can be found in the polluted air. These mostly consist of particulate matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic pollutants (PAHs), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The skin is extremely vulnerable to all of these hazardous substances.

Dr Seema Oberoi Lal, Consultant Dermatologist at Birla Hospital, Gurugram spoke to News18 on this pressing issue. According to the doctor, hundreds of dangerous substances are present in the polluted air that has enveloped the National Capital Region (NCR), piercing and penetrating right through the skin. These include a variety of pesticides, solvent chemicals, isothiocyanate, hydrocarbon, aromatic compounds, heavy metals including benzene, arsenic and lead, as well as UV rays and other substances that are polychlorinated by phenyl.

Since the majority of them are fat soluble, they quickly permeate the skin once they adhere to it and stay there. These days, the cold weather keeps the carbon emitted from burning straw in the atmosphere, and its oxidation process is not completed. It seriously compromises health.

According to Dr Seema Oberoi Lal, the first thing that the dangerous particulates do when they come in touch with the skin is to break through its epidermal protective layer and enter. As a result, the skin cells begin to experience an increase in free radicals and oxidative stress. From this point on, a variety of skin issues begin to manifest.

The skin begins to suffer damage as a result of oxidised stress in the skin cells. It ages prematurely as a result. Wrinkles and excess pigmentation first appear on the skin. Atopic dermatitis is the most severe skin condition caused by air pollution. The first thing that happens is that the skin becomes dehydrated. This indicates that the skin begins to dry up and the barrier begins to deteriorate. Atopic dermatitis causes the skin to become dry, itchy and rashes to develop. Eczema and allergies result from this. In addition, rashes on the skin, elbows, back of the neck, etc., develop. Adolescence can bring on an increase in acne and pimples. If prolonged skin exposure to heavy metals occurs.

Preventive measures:

• Dr Seema Oberoi advised applying coconut oil 30 minutes before taking a bath to protect yourself from pollution. When it comes to body moisturising, nothing is more natural than coconut oil. After taking a bath, use a moisturiser or body lotion right away.
• Try to avoid using too hot water when taking a bath; this leads to additional skin dehydration and subsequent damage.
• Try not to go out as much as you can. Wear a mask and cover the majority of your body if you’re heading out. Apply moisturiser and sunscreen liberally to the face. Moisten your hands and palms as well.
• Since free radicals are the ones that harm skin the most, including antioxidants in your diet to lessen their impact.
• Boost your diet’s antioxidant intake by including more beta carotene and vitamin C. Eat greens, carrots, seasonal green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, etc. to help with this. Eat as much broccoli, sunflower seeds, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, tomatoes, cherries, watermelon, sprouts and other citrus fruits as you can.