How Climate Change Might Impact the Health of Our Skin
Our skin is susceptible to damage from overexposure to various factors, which can speed up ageing and cause wrinkles, scars, sunburns, and other skin conditions. As the largest organ in the body, the skin needs regular maintenance to not only look and feel good but also to make sure you aren’t putting yourself at risk for severe illnesses like skin cancer.
Through extensive research, we have compiled a list of the negative impacts that environmental conditions and climate change have on your skin. This blog can assist you on how to protect your skin from harm and other factors that could compromise the health of your skin and help you understand if you need to visit a skin specialist in Melbourne.
How Does Climate Change Impact the Health of Our Skin?
Sunlight
The average temperature of the planet has alarmingly increased as a result of climate change, allowing more UV light from the sun to pass through our atmosphere and reach our skin. Numerous long-term dermatological problems, such as wrinkles, premature ageing, and most significantly, skin cancer, are known to be triggered by this UV radiation.
This is because our antioxidant defences become weaker the more time we spend in the sun. These defence cells protect the skin from these dangerous radiation sources. This could be because of higher ozone pollution levels and other air contaminants coming into contact with skin surface areas.
Air pollution
Increasing air pollution is one of climate change’s most immediate effects, and it poses a serious threat to global health. Some pollutants, such as carbon dioxide, methane, and ozone, become increasingly prevalent in the atmosphere as the Earth’s temperature rises. These contaminants, especially polycyclic hydrocarbons from burning fossil fuels, can condense on our exposed skin or be breathed and absorbed through our pores.
When these pollutants enter our systems, they can lead to inflammation and harm the cells that produce new skin tissue. These can cause atopic dermatitis, eczema, acne flare-ups, premature ageing, and changes in pigmentation.
How to Protect Your Skin from Climate Change?
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is highly efficient when shielding skin from the sun’s damaging rays. This is so that harmful UV rays don’t reach the skin, thanks to the active ingredients involved like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
However, not every sunscreen is made equal. It’s crucial to spend money on a good sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that filters UVA and UVB radiation or ask for a recommendation from the best skin doctor or specialist in Melbourne.
Shade
Another excellent approach to shield your skin from the sun’s rays is to remain in the shade. When you are outside, try to find areas shaded by trees or canvas umbrellas.
Wear Proper Clothing
The sun’s rays can be effectively blocked by clothing. You may protect your skin from the sun by wearing loose, light clothing with a tight weave that covers as much of your body as possible.
When spending time outside, always have long sleeve shirts, long pants, caps, and sunglasses with you. Darker hues also have more ability to screen sunlight than lighter ones.
Routine Skin Checks
Lastly, it’s essential to stay alert and have a qualified healthcare practitioner examine your skin regularly. This will assist you in recognising any unsettling skin changes that might be a sign of something more serious, like skin cancer.
If you are looking for professional doctors who can help you with your skin check-up and provide skin cancer treatment, then contact Main Street Cosmetics and Skin. You can call us at 03 9739 3830 for further information and queries or book an appointment with us.