Smog puts skin and hair in the game

BENGALURU, India - As toxic air pollution engulfs cities like Delhi and beyond, dermatologists are reporting a surge in patients seeking relief for skin and hair issues caused by the smog. From acne, pigmentation, and sensitivity to itchy scalps, dandruff, and hair loss, the complaints are becoming more persistent, even among younger individuals.

Dr Geetika Mittal Gupta, founder of ISAAC Luxe centres, notes that consultations related to pollution-related concerns increase significantly between October and February, coinciding with heightened smoke levels from festivities, vehicle emissions, and winter weather.

Patients are increasingly requesting specific solutions such as anti-pollution serums, barrier-repair creams, detox facials, and scalp treatments. The complaints are becoming more frequent, with even younger patients experiencing skin problems like dullness, rashes, and increased hair fall. Uneven skin tone, acne breakouts, and pigmentation are now also being seen in adults who have never had such issues before. Hair-related concerns include dandruff, itchiness, flakiness, oily roots, and dryness.

Dermatologists like Dr Ankur Sarin in Delhi have observed similar trends. Patients report sudden skin sensitivity and a burning sensation, along with clogged pores leading to whiteheads, blackheads, or breakouts, even in those who have never experienced these issues previously. Early signs of skin aging, such as fine lines and pigmentation, are also appearing alongside a compromised skin barrier that results in dryness, redness, and itching.

Pollutants can settle on the skin, triggering systemic inflammation, which exacerbates existing conditions like eczema, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and rosacea.

This trend coincides with worsening air quality. According to a November 11 analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi's average PM2.5 concentration reached 236 micrograms per cubic metre in the week preceding Diwali, a three-year high and 97% above the same period in 2025. Pollution-related beauty concerns are not novel, but consumer awareness is becoming increasingly specific.

Patients are now seeking advice on vitamin C serums, barrier-repair moisturizers, charcoal products, oxygen-based facials, and scalp detox treatments. While social media has raised awareness, it has also created confusion, with some patients questioning the necessity of an air purifier or changes to their skincare routines during winter.

Many assume "detox" means scrubbing harder, unaware that overexfoliation, over-cleansing, and daily use of charcoal can weaken the skin barrier and worsen sensitivity.