How to Protect Your Skin from Smoke and Pollution Damage
Recently in Reno, we have had a large amount of smoke in the air from forest fires that has caused problems for people. Lately my patients have asked me, can smoke and pollution have negative effects on the skin? The short answer is yes, but there are things you can do about it.
Pollution and smoke create small particles that float around in the air. These are dangerous to inhale, but they also live on the surface of the skin and can cause oxidative damage as well as brown spots. The smoke from the recent fires in Reno creates these type of particles as do cigarette smoke and normal pollution that we experience.
In order to avoid the harmful effects of pollution and smoke on the skin, the best thing would be to avoid that exposure. But as we all know, pollution is everywhere and some exposure, even when we try to avoid as much as possible, is a necessary evil.
The good news is, there are several things you can do to combat the oxidative damage that pollution and smoke can do to the skin.
First, follow the five steps in our essential skin care routine to ensure you’re taking optimal care of your skin during this stressful time.
Next, incorporate foods with antioxidants into your diet. Antioxidants are known to scavenger free radicals on the skin and in the body, and when we eat green leafy vegetables and fruits such as blueberries, we ingest a large amount of antioxidants to combat on the inside.
Finally, use a topical antioxidant to help scavenger free radicals that are made from excessive sun exposure and pollution. Antioxidants come in many forms, but the most popular are vitamin A, vitamin C and green or red tea.
Dealing with smoke pollution from forest fires is an incredibly stressful situation for the city of Reno – one that thankfully has subsided for now. By following these easy tips, you can ensure your skin will not be affected negatively by any future pollution events.
If you are concerned about any damage your skin may have sustained previously, call us any time for a consultation in our South Reno Dermatology office.
~ Dr. Jennifer Janiga
