Dr. Ryan Turner, Board-Certified Dermatologist
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-b-turner-md-3775944a/
We spoke with Dr. Ryan Turner, board-certified dermatologist, about the importance of clean air as it relates to skin health and the impact of air purifiers in his practice. Dr. Turner practices cosmetic dermatology, general dermatology, surgical dermatology, and laser surgery in New York City and uses the latest scientific research to guide his approach to the management of numerous dermatologic concerns.
What are some of the most common concerns your patients have when it comes to their skin?
Some of the most common concerns that I see in the office are acne, eczema, and dry or aging skin. As the largest organ we have, taking care of our skin is essential for our general health. Skin protects us from the sun, dirt, and other environmental factors.
How do airborne pollutants affect your patients’ skin health?
Environmental aggressors such as air pollution like dust, pollen, gases, or smoke can adversely affect the skin’s protective barrier potentially leading to poor skin health, exacerbating skin diseases, and promoting skin aging. A chain of events can lead to inflammation in the skin and the reduction of the natural fats (lipids) that form the skin barrier.
There is also emerging evidence that the microbiome of the skin can be negatively impacted by pollutants which can disrupt the natural balance of these helpful microorganisms. As airborne pollutants can cause inflammation in the skin, some evidence suggests that inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema/atopic dermatitis may worsen.
How do these pollutants differ between indoor and outdoor environments?
Outdoor airborne pollutants are more heavily comprised of ozone and other gaseous and particulate matter from engine combustion, tire debris, as well as other industrial processes. Other bioaerosols, such as pollen, also contribute to outdoor particulate matter – some of which can also enter our homes.
Indoor pollution is more driven by cooking combustion, cleaning products, pet dander, dust, and cigarette smoking. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that indoor air can be up to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.
While some of the airborne pollutants overlap in type, these may all lead to a similar negative influence on the skin.
Do some people have more susceptibility to airborne pollutants? If so, why?
There is increasingly more evidence that airborne pollutants have a role in skin disease, so people with inflammatory skin conditions may see flares in their skin conditions when exposed to certain air pollutants.
What impact do air purifiers have on skin health?
Air purifiers help reduce common indoor pollutants, such as dust, pollen, pet dander, other particulate matter, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may disrupt the skin barrier and lead to inflammation and other regulatory dysfunction. Clean air can help skin maintain its normal physiological balance.
What are other best practices you advise for your patients to keep their skin healthy?
For my patients, I recommend support of the skin barrier with routine moisturizers containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and other lipids. For those who spend time indoors exposed to sun through windows, I remind my patients to wear a moisturizer with sun protection or to apply sun protection as the last step of their skincare routine. I also tell patients that a heart-healthy diet is also a healthy diet for the skin.
What features do you look for when recommending indoor air purifiers for patients?
I look for air purifiers that have strong filtration systems and check that the certified performance specifications will work with the room size. When considering, look at the CADR (which stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate). CADR measures an air cleaner's effectiveness based on room space and the volume of clean air produced per minute. This shows how well dust, pollen, and smoke, the three most common indoor air pollutants, are removed from the air you breathe. I also prioritize devices with lower energy consumption and lower noise levels when making recommendations.
Would you recommend other dermatologists use air purifiers in their exam rooms?
I would recommend other dermatologists use an air purifier as an addition to other protocols to maintain clean air for their exam rooms. Air purifiers can additionally support the removal of smoke plumes and odor from rooms where I perform procedures or laser surgery. Some air purifiers may also reduce any bacteria and viruses to help prevent the spread of germs. In addition, our office has seen less dust accumulation in exam rooms and the check-in area while we’ve had an air purifier.
