Skin's New Enemy

It’s all around you — we’re talking about dirty air, yes, even when you thought you’re safe at home

- Pearlyn Tham

THE IRONY: WE need air to survive, yet it can hurt our skin.

For some time now, we have known that outdoor pollution — hello, dust and exhaust fumes — can cause our skin to become drier more quickly. Pollutants also generate free radicals that are responsible for skin inflammation. When skin gets inflamed, it produces more pigment to protect itself but this shows up as unsightly dark spots. The domino effect then continues in the form of collagen degradation, sagging, wrinkles and a generally weakened skin system.

But most of us think that we are safe once we get home or somewhere indoors. After all, pollution belongs out there on the big bad streets, right? Wrong. Dr Calvin Chan, medical director of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, says indoor pollution can be as bad as, or even worse than, what you get outdoors because “contained or enclosed areas allow pollutants to build up more”. Also, an indoor environment can come with its own set of pollutants and it is a scarily long list.