efficacy, including LED handheld home use devices and clinical radiators. However, there is scientific evidence that indicates blue light therapy can alleviate certain skin conditions, including acne ( Propionibacterium acnes ), which can lead to inflammatory papules. Blue light therapy eliminates the bacteria found in the oil glands of the skin, resulting in smaller oil glands, less oil, and fewer bacteria. The blemishes are cleared, and better skin is achieved (Skin Inc Magazine, 2019). Furthermore, different wavelengths of blue light can have varying effects on the skin. Wavelengths shorter than 453 nm are more cytotoxic than longer wavelengths, but only at certain doses. Also, the intensity and duration of blue light radiation are crucial in determining damaging effects on the skin (Coats, 2021).
sources of blue light exposure. Millennials and spa-goers are exposed to solar radiation every day via sunlight, which is a combination of visible light and blue light (Yang, 2019). Blue light is a spectrum of wavelengths, not a single wavelength, that ranges from 400 to 500 nm in the visible spectrum. Blue light is known as high-energy, visible light (HEVL) and has longer wavelengths than UV light. Therefore, it penetrates further into the skin, even to the subcutaneous level of adipose tissue (Yang, 2019). Is blue light harmful or helpful? Clinical research indicates that blue light can be used as skin therapy to treat hyperproliferative diseases such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and skin cancer. Blue light therapy consists of a wide spectrum of light-emitting devices that vary in quality and
INFRARED LIGHT POLLUTION
the epidermis and dermis. IR reaches deeper than ultraviolet radiation and damages both layers. However, long-term exposure to IR; high-energy, visible light; and blue light can impair the barrier function, reducing the skin’s antioxidant capacity and decreasing proteins that bind collagen, which results in collagen deficiency (wrinkles) loss of elasticity and potentially increased melanogenesis that can lead to dark spots/hyperpigmentation (Dupont et al., 2013).
Infrared radiation (IR) is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is similar to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays, microwaves, and radio waves. Infrared is invisible to the human eye but can be felt as heat. Compared to UV, IR has longer wavelengths than visible light does, but lower energy (Timms, 2019). According to recent studies, skin exposed to infrared radiation generates the production of free radicals in both
SKIN CANCER AND POLLUTION
body and is mutagenic for basal cell keratinocytes in the skin. ● UVB penetrates the epidermis (the top layer of skin), causing damage to cells. UVB is also known as the burning ray. It is a significant risk factor in melanoma skin cancer and is responsible for sunburns. Overexposure to UVB radiation can cause accelerated aging of the skin, and both UVA and UVB can destroy vitamin A in the skin. More than 4 million Americans are diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma each year. (SkinCancer.Org). Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer and develops in the cells of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma: ● Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer and the most common form of cancer overall. ● Squamous cell carcinoma , the second most common form of skin cancer, also known as cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, is often characterized by accelerated, abnormal squamous cell growth and is highly treatable when found early. Squamous cells are flat cells located near the surface of the skin and shed continuously as new cells are formed. This type of cancer is typically caused by UV exposure. ● Melanoma , which is less common than either basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma, is a serious form of skin cancer due to its ability to spread more rapidly to other organs if it is not treated early. Melanoma begins in the melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigment, which are found in the upper layers of the skin. When the skin is exposed to UV radiation, it causes damaged skin to trigger melanocytes to produce more melanin (Skin Cancer Organization).
One of the most serious threats to skin health, and indeed overall health, from pollution is skin cancer. The link between skin cancer, air pollution, and UV radiation has been well documented, and ultraviolet radiation combined with other pollutants has a catalytic effect (there is a chemical reaction) that causes greater damage to the skin surface (Timms, 2019). Depending on the form, pollution commonly enters the body through inhalation (breathing), ingestion, and skin contact. Many pollutants react most with the skin, for example, ultraviolet radiation, PAHs, VOCs, heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, mercury, chromium), and ozone. Ultraviolet radiation is a carcinogen known to play a role in the development of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer, and according to the Cancer Council of Australia, almost all skin cancers (approximately 99% of nonmelanoma skin cancer and 95% of melanomas) are caused by too much UV radiation from the sun. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it develops in the cells of the epidermis, the outer layer of skin. There are three major types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Ultraviolet radiation is made up of UVA and UVB rays, both of which can penetrate the skin to cause sunburns, skin aging, cell damage, eye damage, melanoma, and other skin cancers (Cancer Council, 2019): ● UVA penetrate s deep into the dermis, causing DNA damage to cells that triggers mutations, photoaging, wrinkles, and pigmentation formation. UVA contributes to skin cancer indirectly, DNA damage, and free radicals. In addition, UVA can generate highly reactive chemicals such as hydroxyl and oxygen radicals, which damage DNA. Also, UVA affects the immune system of the entire
ANTIPOLLUTION SKIN CARE PRODUCTS
Air pollution skin care is the hottest trend right now, with skin care manufacturers launching a range of products that promise to protect the skin from reactive oxidative species
(ROS) and inflammation caused by ground-level ozone, creating a physical barrier between the pollutants and the skin. The high levels of air pollution in Asia are what
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