Many women over the age of 50 observe the formation of dark spots on their cheeks. A new study by German scientists has revealed a link between air pollution from exhaust fumes and the formation of dark spots on women's skin.
In addition to particulate matter, air pollution is characterized by increased concentrations of nitrogen dioxide, experts say. While NO2 exposure is known to be associated with impaired lung function and lung cancer, the effects of NO2 on human skin have never been studied.
Lentigines, also known as age spots, or small darkened areas of skin, may appear small at first glance, but they can grow and merge into separate areas that can merge on the face, forearms, arms and upper torso.
The new study involved two groups of women - 806 German women, ages 67 to 80, who spent an average of 2.6 hours a day in the sun; and 743 Chinese women, ages 28 to 70, who spent about 3.5 hours a day in the sun. Scientists did not find any association between air NO2 levels and lentigo formation on the arms and forearms, however, NO2 exposure was significantly associated with the formation of age spots on the cheeks of women over 50 in both groups.