A recent study by Université Laval and the Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval has highlighted a concerning interaction between cigarette smoke and UV rays, showing that combined exposure can significantly accelerate the skin’s aging process.
This research adds a new dimension to our understanding of skin health, particularly in how multiple environmental factors can interact to exacerbate damage.
The research team, led by Roxane Pouliot from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Patrick J. Rochette from the Faculty of Medicine, utilized skin substitutes reconstructed from human cells without added collagen to simulate real-life exposure conditions.
This approach has been lauded as one of the most relevant models for studying skin damage and aging.
Their findings revealed a worrying synergy between cigarette smoke and UV rays, particularly in their impact on the skin’s structural and molecular levels.
The study showed a more rapid decrease in types 3 and 4 collagen, vital for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance, alongside a sagging of the dermis when exposed to both factors simultaneously.
The presence of metalloproteinase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen, also increased, further compromising skin integrity.
Doctoral student Alexe Grenier, who played a significant role in the research, pointed out the reduction in collagen precursors, suggesting a long-term decrease in collagen production due to these combined exposures.
The team plans to extend their research to isolate the most detrimental compounds in cigarette smoke to the skin. This could pave the way for developing specific countermeasures, such as protective creams or treatments, particularly targeted at younger smokers.
Additionally, the researchers are considering exploring the effects of wood smoke, often produced by forest fires, using a technique initially developed for capturing cigarette smoke.
Published in the journal Scientific Reports, this study underscores the importance of considering the cumulative impact of various environmental factors on skin health.
It opens up new avenues for skincare research and the development of more effective protective strategies against the combined effects of sunlight and smoke.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about vegetable oil linked to spread of cancer, and results showing Vitamin D could help treat skin inflammation.
The research findings can be found in Scientific Reports.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
