Every day, we’re exposed to a ton of environmental aggressors that affect our skin (and health) in many ways.

Modern life can be tough on our skin but while we slather our faces with SPF daily to protect it from the sun we might not realize that there’s another silent skin assassin to be cautious of: pollution.

From urban dust, smog, smoke and exhaust fumes, the impact of pollution on our health is well documented but the effect it has on our skin has been relatively overlooked – after all, you can’t see it and you can’t feel it, so it’s easy to forget that pollution is there.

But, you better believe the effect it’s having on your skin is very real.

So, what harm does it really do?

Packed with DNA-damaging free radicals, pollution can impact your skin’s protective barrier with repetitive exposure having a negative effect.

In the short term this can lead to redness, sensitivity and inflammation, while long-term impacts can involve dullness, hyper-pigmentation, fine lines and a gradual decrease in elasticity.

Do I Need Anti-Pollution Skincare?

Even if you live in the suburbs outside of a large metropolis, it’s pretty safe to say that you should consider investing in anti-pollution skincare.

While cities such as Los Angeles, Bakersfield and Fresno, California infamous for their high levels of air pollution, smaller towns without visible signs of smog are still affected by the increased levels of toxic chemicals floating around our planet.

Across the world, about 2.4 million people die every year because of heavy exposure to air pollution. In fact 11.6% of all global deaths are associated with indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Dangerous particles called PM2.5 are incredibly small and can easily penetrate the tissue of your lungs, causing a wide variety of health problems. Heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory infections are the most common ailments caused by breathing in too much toxic air.

While pollution doesn’t have the same life-threatening effects when it’s absorbed into the outer layers of your skin, it can still cause some less-than-pleasant side effects.

It turns out that PM2.5 particles are small enough to infiltrate the pores of your epidermis and disrupt the health of your skin. Unstable molecules known as “free radicals” bounce around inside your cells, destroying the natural mechanisms your body has in place that prevent you from aging prematurely.

Early onset wrinkles, uneven pigmentation, hives, rosacea, and flaky skin are all possible results of constant exposure to free radicals.

Unfortunately, these pollutants are everywhere. According to the World Health Organization, 92% of the world’s population lives in places where air pollution exceeds safe limits.

We know this all sounds incredibly scary, especially if you spend most of your time in a dense urban environment. But just like the popularization of sunscreen, the important research that’s being performed on the aging effects of air pollution is simply helping us live better, healthier lives.

Once we’re equipped with this knowledge, it’s relatively simple to adjust your regimen to and make anti-pollution skincare a commonplace grooming habit.

So, What Does Pollution Do To The Skin?

People living in areas with higher levels of air pollution have been found to experience more skin problems than those who don’t.

When tiny bits of smoke, soot, acid, and other pollutants are released into the air from various sources, the contact it makes with your skin is deep.

These pollutants don’t just sit on the outer layer of your skin.

They infiltrate all the way into the deeper layers of your epidermis, which can cause dehydration and lead to lost elasticity and increased chance of wrinkles.

Are you sufficiently grossed out?

Thinking about these microscopic, grimy pollutants just seeping into our skin isn’t exactly a relaxing mental image.

But education is the key to prevention when it comes to ensuring your skin is properly taken care of, right?

How Can HydraFacial Help Combat Pollution?

A HydraFacial is the newest advancement in non-laser skin resurfacing and cleans, exfoliates, hydrates and adds antioxidant protection all at the same time.

Only HydraFacial uses patented technology and super serums made with nourishing ingredients that will help combat the impact on pollution on your skin.

Antioxidants

These “super power” ingredients detoxify the skin and fight environmental free radical damage! They also exhibit cell protecting properties, act as anti-inflammatory agents and have antibacterial properties too.

AHAs & BHAs

Throughout your HF treatment we are using a variety of hydroxy acids that all have a unique, positive effect on the skin. Glycolic Acid, Lactic Acid, and Salicylic Acid work together to help to exfoliate pollution & debris both on the surface and inside the pores. What’s more, Salicylic Acid is anti-bacterial AND anti-inflammatory.

Deep Pore Cleansing

Throughout a HydraFacial treatment but especially during the extraction process, your pores receive a deep cleaning second to none! No other treatment boosts this unique feature. The vacuum suction hand-piece cleans out blackheads, white heads, and excess oil from your pores.

Then your HydraFacial is finished by infusing your skin with a hydrating cocktail containing hyaluronic acid, peptides and antioxidants leaving your skin refreshed and rejuvenated with a healthy glow!