Why does airborne help with acne

The experts were then to suggest whether further research was required to subsequently prepare a review paper and propose appropriate measures to protect acne prone skin in polluted environments. If further research was required, the board was to identify protocol outlines and workgroups to complete these research needs.

The current understanding of the pathophysiology of acne is evolving. Acne is accepted to have a multifactorial etiology, based on three main observations: increased sebum production under hormonal stimulation , abnormal keratinization of the pilosebaceous duct, and it is becoming increasingly evident that acne is driven by an inflammatory reaction to Propionibacterium acnes.

Two early events that occur when lesions appear are hyperseborrhea and follicular obstruction of the pilosebaceous unit. Several comprehensive review papers highlight recent molecular and cellular research that suggest with acne, the quality of sebum excreted on the skin surface changes.

This alters the lipid composition and redox ratio on the skin surface. Within the follicular lumen, these qualitative changes in sebum production may result in an overall deficiency in linoleic acid, which disturbs the follicular barrier function. This situation creates a proinflammatory pattern with pro-inflammatory cytokine production and interleukin IL -1 upregulation, 16 inducing follicular inflammation.

Also, immune cells Th1 have been found in perifollicular regions of nonaffected skin in patients with acne, confirming the involvement of the innate immune system. These findings suggest that inflammation may have a critical role in acne development and progression.

One of the lipids produced by human sebaceous glands on the face and torso is squalene. Oxidative stress and nitrosative stress have been shown to occur in acne 22 and may also be the trigger that sets off the acne cascade. The proliferation of P. Proliferating P. The innate immune system is subsequently triggered when the duct ruptures, releasing P.

Nevertheless, increasing evidence demonstrates that some commensal organisms on human skin regulate the populations of pathogenic strains to maintain homeostasis. For example, Staphylococcus epidermis mediates glycerol fermentation, hence inhibiting P. Outdoor pollution is a heterogeneous mixture of chemicals and gases emitted into the atmosphere from natural and man-made sources. Those of major concern for the skin include both organic and inorganic compounds found in and on PM and gases such as ozone, nitrogen dioxide NO 2 and sulfur dioxide.

Unsurprisingly, there are few data on visits for acne during peaks in pollution as many pollution and health studies are performed in accident and emergency departments, where acne patients do not usually present for exacerbation of their symptoms.

There is growing evidence that these pollutants exert their harmful effects by generating oxidative stress by means of ROS and inflammation.

However, the exact mechanism is yet to be clarified. Various hypotheses have been proposed to explain how the detrimental effect of pollution starts. Vierkotter et al suggest PMs have an indirect effect by an outside—inside signaling pathway. UV exposure has an additive effect with airborne pollutants and O 3. UV irradiation is known to compromise the skin barrier and O 3 seems to heighten this phenomenon by disturbing stratum corneum lipid constituents that are known to be critical determinants of the barrier function.

UV exposure and O 3 have also been found to have an additive effect on antioxidant depletion vitamin E and on lipid peroxidation levels, which could, in turn, lead to additional additive effects of these stressors. Similar to most countries around the world, Asian dermatologists treat acne according to the Global Alliance or American Association of Dermatology guidelines.

However, the board members remarked that some medical treatments disrupt skin barrier function. This being particularly problematic in Asian skin, which has been reported to have a higher prevalence and objective skin sensitivity compared with Caucasian skin. Board members report a general trend toward using keratolytic i. In Thailand, it is difficult to implement the Global Alliance guidelines, so they developed their own recommendations. Patients are treated according to severity.

They use photo-dynamic therapy PDT lasers to target comedones, but this has been found to be unsatisfactory as acne returns after treatment. In China, the board reports that traditional medicine remains popular for papulopustular acne and is used alongside the Global Alliance Guidelines. PDT red and blue light and glycolic acid are also used to treat comedones. In Korea, Chinese traditional medicine is also used, as well as essential oils, tea tree oil and ketone or aldehyde products with an anti-inflammatory activity.

The first study to be performed following recommendations made by the Expert board was a large, epidemiological study in a dermatology hospital, Beijing, in Retrospective data were collected over a 2-year period and included 59, patients with acne. The authors found that increased ambient air concentrations of some of the most important traffic-and industry-related pollutants were associated with an increased number of outpatient visits for acne vulgaris.

Also, a second, independent clinical study was performed by La Roche-Posay in Beijing, China, to investigate the relationship between exposure to the most frequent industry- and traffic-related air pollutants, that is, PM 10 , PM 2. This 8-week study included 64 patients with acne who used the same skin care routine. Sebum rate was measured and acne lesions were counted each week. Air pollution data were obtained from the Beijing municipal environmental monitoring center.

Increased ambient concentrations of PM 2. Higher ambient O 3 concentrations were significantly associated with lower sebum rate and lower numbers of lesions inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions unpublished data. Interestingly, both studies found that higher ambient SO 2 concentrations were associated with fewer outpatient visits, lower sebum rates and lower numbers of both inflammatory and noninflammatory lesions.

Together, these two studies indicate that exposure to air pollutants may aggravate acne vulgaris and emphasize that not all air pollutants have the same effect on acne skin. This study was retrospective in nature. It was observed that acne prevalence was significantly different between the two populations. These results further support the pathophysiological links between acne prevalence and high ambient pollution levels.

Based on the literature searches and these three studies the authors suggest that more research is needed to better understand the link between acne and air pollution. In particular, there is a clear need for mechanistic studies in order to better understand the existing epidemiological evidence for this link.

In particular, the board suggested to further investigate the relationship between pollution exposure and squalene oxidation. Also, more research would be useful to understand the change in composition and quality of sebum with pollution. There is little data available to make strong recommendations for adjunctive skin care in acne management in polluted environments. Rocha et al recommends emollients and sunscreen in addition to drug treatment and suggests that patients be advised not to manipulate lesions.

This has been shown to allow S. This prevents further provoking the inflammatory cycle and in turn associated problems such as aggravated disease severity and postinflammatory pigmentation. A skin care product dedicated to acne patients may provide a protective barrier from pollution, restore microbiome equilibrium to prevent overabundant bacteria including P.

Although collagen supplements have been touted as a must-have for glowing skin, it's important to know that " some contain sulfites and cause the skin to be congested," says Dr.

Kan Cao, the scientist behind and founder of Bluelene. If you notice a flare-up, stop taking the supplement and focus on "prebiotics, because they nurture the probiotic good bacteria that fights against the inflammatory bad bacteria, and improve nutrient absorption," shares Dr. Jessie Cheung , a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago. If you're noticing a cluster of new blemishes and are wondering what could be causing the surge, check your daily vitamin B6 and B Robb Akridge Ph.

She advises removing the vitamin B supplement and waiting four to six weeks for the breakout to clear. When you ingest too much iodine, a common ingredient in multivitamins, you may notice an influx of "whiteheads and inflammatory acne on the face, as well as on the chest and back," states Dennis Gross , M. This happens when "iodine causes inflammation of the oil glands and a change in the chemistry of the oil it naturally produces.

That's why retinol, a vitamin A derivative, is a go-to ingredient in prescribed treatments for keeping skin firm, youthful—free of acne. Several studies back up this theory , showing a reduction in acne-related skin conditions when retinol-containing serums and other skin-care products were used. The research shows that it's best to use vitamin A topically as opposed to in supplement form, especially when acne is concerned, since digesting a dose of more than 10, international units IUs can lead to a condition known as hypervitaminosis A.

Find out which acne treatments dermatologists use on themselves. Vitamin C Ascorbic acid plays a key role in collagen synthesis or the process by which collagen is created. Collagen is a protein that's found in nearly all parts of our body, mainly our muscles, bones, blood vessels, digestive system, and skin. We tend to lose collagen as we age, which is why our skin becomes looser with less elasticity. Recently, vitamin C has emerged as an acne treatment solution instead of antibiotics.

The "b" in "B-complex vitamins" might as well stand for beauty, because several of them, particularly B2 riboflavin , B3 niacin , and B6 pyridoxine play an overall role in physiological function, according to Dr. B vitamins assist in enzyme activation but also have multiple functions in the body—for hormone production and balance. When it comes to your skin, B vitamins aid in reducing dryness and flakiness associated with acne, which is why they're found in plenty of topical moisturizers.

However, you can also take them in supplement form. Here are some signs of a vitamin B deficiency. Whether taken orally or topically, zinc is a nutrient that can reduce acne inflammation significantly. In fact, one double-blind study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology , which analyzed the differences in female patients who were using a zinc-containing lotion to clear up their skin and those who were not, found that those using the lotion experienced clearer skin.

Doses higher than 30 mg, however, may be toxic, so it's important to make sure you're taking the right amount. Speak with your primary care physician or dermatologist if you're unclear of zinc's effects on your skin. Don't miss Dr. Pimple Popper's acne-fighting rules everyone should memorize. This fat-soluble vitamin is also an antioxidant, which means it helps prevent fats from oxidizing in the body. This is especially important when it comes to your skin, as the oxidation of sebum the oily substance that comes out of your whiteheads and blackheads when you pop them is known to spread bacteria across your face and lead to acne.

Vitamin E helps prevent this spread of bacteria, and also ensures that vitamin A functions properly on the skin. Vitamin E is a popular ingredient in skin-care products and also occurs naturally in deliciously healthy foods, like almonds, avocados, tomatoes, sunflower seeds, spinach, and more.