The Impact of Air Pollution on Skin and Related Disorders: A Comprehensive Review

This review article explored the impact of air pollution on skin health, highlighting that exposure to pollutants such as UV radiation, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), particulate matter (PM), heavy metals, and gaseous pollutants can disrupt the skin's barrier function. The review indicated that these pollutants could induce or worsen skin conditions like aging, inflammatory diseases (e.g., atopic dermatitis, cellulitis, psoriasis), acne, hair loss, and skin cancers, primarily melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The mechanisms involved include increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), and inflammatory cytokines. The article synthesized recent studies on the correlation between air pollutants and skin diseases, emphasizing the role of pollutant characteristics and exposure duration in these adverse effects.