title: Climate and skin function: an overview.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Climates of the world are diverse and produce changes in skin integrity and functioning. Evidence on skin and its response to severe climates is limited, but information can be inferred from data characterizing skin under controlled climate conditions using noninvasive bioengineering techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  A literature search was conducted on the effects on major climate conditions on skin integrity and function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure of murine skin to low humidity promotes a hyperproliferative and proinflammatory response, which can be prevented with topical agents or occlusion. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and average skin temperature (Tsk ) is highly sensitive to climate or ambient temperature (Tambient ). High altitudes leave skin more susceptible to UV radiation and even brief exposures cause surface changes. Pollution can result external skin aging and may be a risk factor for exacerbation of dermatoses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research is needed to understand skin properties and functioning in harsh climates to provide insight into optimal skin care for individuals living in such conditions.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA. singhba@bu.edu
authors.forename: Babu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Howard
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maibach
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D002980:Climate; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
keywords: altitude; climate; humidity; pollution; skin; temperature