Six Ways That Smoke Damage Harms Your Skin
The saddest part about home fires is that even after a fire is extinguished, the risks from smoke damage remain. Smoke consists of tiny particles and chemicals that permeate the surfaces and materials throughout your home. These particles can settle onto walls, ceilings, furniture, and carpets. They will even get into the HVAC system and ductwork.
Smoke can also become trapped in porous materials, such as upholstery, curtains, clothing, and bedding. These residues are highly acidic and corrosive. They will not only cause surface deterioration over time but also pose a serious threat to your skin health.
Why Smoke Damage Risks Our Skin Health
The remaining smoke particles contain chemicals, pollutants, and irritants. When you come into contact with these particles, it causes your skin to react. Furthermore, the toxic compounds in smoke can sometimes penetrate the skin and lead to skin health issues.
Prolonged or repeated exposure to smoke particles increases these risks. Therefore, when your home has experienced a fire, you must contact a professional smoke cleanup team to come and remove these toxic skin hazards from your home.
Here are six ways that smoke damage risks your skin health:
1. Dryness
Smoke contains particulate matter and harmful chemicals that strip the oils from your skin, leading to dehydration and dryness. Dryness makes your skin dull, rough, and flaky. It can also lead to severe itching and, in extreme cases, redness and scabbing.
2. Premature Aging
The toxic compounds present in smoke, known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can accelerate the skin’s aging process. In addition, these pollutants break down collagen and elastin, essential for maintaining the skin’s elasticity and firmness. As a result, smoke exposure can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin.
3. Skin Discoloration
Smoke damage can cause skin discoloration, causing dark spots, and uneven skin tone. The particles present in smoke can trigger oxidative stress, leading to an overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. Excess melanin causes hyperpigmentation and the formation of dark patches on the skin.
4. Acne Breakouts
Smoke contains irritants and pollutants that can clog pores and cause acne. In addition, these substances can increase oil production. Excess oil then furthers the congestion in the pores, and together, they form pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads.
5. Sensitivity
Smoke irritates the skin. Exposure can cause redness, itching, and inflammation. In addition, individuals with existing skin conditions, such as eczema or rosacea, may experience flare-ups and heightened sensitivity due to smoke exposure.
6. Increased Risk Of Skin Cancer
Prolonged exposure to smoke, especially in combination with harmful sun ultraviolet (UV) radiation, can increase the risk of skin cancer. PAHs in smoke have been linked to an increased susceptibility to certain types of skin cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma. Smoke exposure is not a health risk you want to take.
If your home experienced a fire recently, we can help you clean up the smoke damage and reduce the health risks to your skin.