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It can also cause a host of short-term problems. If you’ve ever been exposed to wildfire smoke and noticed your skin breaking out soon after, the smoke could have been the culprit.
As West Hollywood-based dermatologist Jason Emer says: “In the short term, the smoke can clog your pores due to soot and ash particles [which can lead] to acne outbreaks, blemishes, blackheads and increased oil production.”
There’s more bad news. If you have sensitive skin or issues such as rosacea, you may be even more likely to notice a reaction. “Any pre-existing skin condition would also be likely to flare up from added irritation and inflammation,” notes Jennifer MacGregor, a dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York.
Flora Kim, a dermatologist in Dallas, agrees, saying that exposure can “exacerbate dryness and other skin conditions such as eczema, atopic dermatitis, [and] psoriasis.”
What’s different about the recent fires in Los Angeles?
While California is no stranger to wildfires, the 2025 fires have been unprecedented in force and impact. Teo Soleymani, a dermatologist in Pasadena, California echos all the above sentiments from the other dermatologists but adds that repeated exposure is what the people of Los Angeles need to keep in mind now.
“[Wildfire smoke] repeated in long-term exposure, not only increases the risks of eczema and eczema like inflammatory rashes, but also things like premature and accelerated aging, skin cancers, and even some forms of lymphoma in the skin,” says Dr. Soleymani.
As the environment changes and people populate areas with higher fire risk, Dr. Soleymani suspects there will be more and more consequences as the years go by—though exactly what they are is hard to say at this point in time.
Protecting your skin from smoke
The experts agree that the best way to protect your skin from wildfire smoke is to stay indoors as much as possible. And while you’re stuck inside, Dr. Chang suggests using an air purifier to battle any smoke that makes its way indoors.
And if you must go outdoors? Both Dr. Chang and Dr. MacGregor caution you to cover up your skin as much as possible, such as with long sleeves and a mask (which you should be used to wearing anyway).
In addition to covering up, it’s also more important than ever to rely on sunscreen. Just because you can’t see the sun’s rays through the smoke doesn’t mean you’re safe from them.
Dr. Kim explains the importance of using sunscreen to battle smoke damage: “It is interesting to note that studies are showing synergy, and thus amplification of damage, when air pollution is combined with sunlight—specifically UVA rays.”
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