Effects of Pollution on Skin Aging

Abstract

Every day, patients ask dermatologists for ways to prevent looking old because visible signs of aging are a major concern for many people. In support of such a notion, the current worldwide market for cosmetic and medical products devoted to the prevention and treatment of skin aging is $15 billion (Yarosh, 2008Yarosh D. The New Science of Perfect Skin: Understanding Skin Care Myths and Miracles for Radiant Skin at Any Age. Broadway Books, New York2008Google Scholar). Discussions of the prevention of skin aging typically focus on the role of sunlight and smoking because solar radiation and tobacco play major roles, although the exact pathogenesis of extrinsic skin aging is not fully understood (Schroder et al., 2006Schroder P. Schieke S.M. Morita A. Premature skin aging by infrared radiation, tobacco smoke and ozone.in: Gilchrest B.A. Krutmann J. Skin Aging. Springer, New York2006: 45-55Crossref Scopus (43) Google Scholar). Discussions about skin aging may change, however, based on work described by Vierkötter et al. in this issue. This article provides evidence that ambient particulate matter (PM) affects skin aging. The authors studied 400 elderly white, northern European women and, using a modified SCINEXA—a validated scoring system for intrinsic and extrinsic aging—found that air pollution exposure contributed to extrinsic aging, in particular, to pigment spot development. Using a cross-sectional design, Vierkötter et al., 2010Vierkötter A. Schikowski T. Ranft U. et al.Airborne particle exposure and extrinsic skin aging.J Invest Dermatol. 2010; 130: 2719-2726Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (246) Google Scholar assessed clinical signs of skin aging, including pigment spots, coarse wrinkles, solar elastosis, and telangiectasias, to determine the effects of exposure to PM on extrinsic skin aging. Controlling for potential confounding variables such as age, body mass index, use of hormone replacement therapy, smoking history, Fitzpatrick skin type, history of sunburns, and sun-bed usage, the investigators found that airborne particles contributed to signs of extrinsic aging. In addition, they observed a larger number of lentigines in groups of patients with a higher level of PM exposure. These results suggest other approaches to the prevention of skin aging. Through the following questions, we examine this paper in greater detail. For brief answers, please refer to the supplementary information online <http://www.nature.com/jid/journal/v130/n12/suppinfo/jid2010323s1.html> 1.How does airborne particle exposure appear to affect skin and overall health?2.What is SCINEXA?3.How did the investigators carry out their study?4.What were the study results and limitations?5.What were the conclusions of the study, and what additional studies might be performed in the future? December 2010 Journal Club Answers and Discussion: Effects of Pollution on Skin Aging -- Answers Download .pdf (.12 MB) Help with pdf files SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALDecember 2010 Journal Club: Effects of Pollution on Skin Aging - Answers and Discussion