Traffic related air pollution linked to facial dark spots

London: Have you observed formation of dark spots on the cheeks of women over the age 50? A new study has revealed a link between traffic-related air pollution and air pollution-associated gases with the formation of dark spots on the skin of women.

Lentigenes, also known as liver spots, are small, darkened areas of the skin. Although they may first appear small, they may enlarge and separate patches may merge on the face, forearms, hands, and upper trunk. For the research two groups were studied.

The first group included 806 Caucasian German women ranging 67 to 80 years. These women reportedly spent an average of 2.6 hours a day in the sun. The second group included 743 Han Chinese women with an age ranging 28 to 70 years. These women spent average daily sun exposure of 3.5 hours.

The study found, no association was seen between levels of NO2 and lentigenes' formation on the back of the hands or forearms; however, exposure to NO2 was significantly associated with more lentigenes on the cheeks in both German and Chinese women older than 50 years. NO2 gas had a slightly stronger effect than the particulate matter concentration that had a greater impact on dark spot formation, according to the research.