Can Environmental Toxins Disrupt Your Skin? An IV Therapy Toronto Report

As we’ve discussed in our IV Therapy Toronto blog, exposures to contaminants – like mold and second-hand smoke – can influence disease formation. But does this mean that toxins can affect our skin, too? As a matter of fact, yes!

Environmental toxins can impact skin health because the skin is a protective barrier and an organ that interacts with the outside world. “As the body’s largest and most exposed organ, the skin encounters a multitude of environmental aggressors, … leading to premature chrono and photoaging, pigmentation disorders, and an increased prevalence of inflammatory skin diseases,” confirms a JAAD Reviews article. 

Indeed, contaminants have been linked to declines in skin aging and inflammatory conditions – which can compromise your skin’s protective duties. Here, we explain these detrimental effects on the skin and how to take protective measures with functional medicine and IV therapy treatments. 

How Environmental Toxins Can Harm Your Skin

Over time, environmental stressors don’t just stay on the skin’s surface – they can change how our skin looks, feels, and heals. Here’s how toxins can influence your skin and why protecting it matters: 

• Contaminants can cause oxidative stress and premature aging: Toxins generate free radicals – these are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and proteins like collagen and elastin. This can lead to the formation of wrinkles, loss of skin elasticity, and a dull-like appearance.
• These exposures can cause inflammation and the formation of skin conditions: Pollutants can disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome and trigger chronic low-grade inflammation. In fact, “Acne, hyperpigmentation, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis have been shown to be influenced by air pollution,” explains an article from the International Journal of Women’s Dermatology.
• They can disrupt the functioning of the skin barrier: The skin keeps moisture in and irritants out of the body. Environmental toxins can deteriorate this barrier, which can lead to dryness, sensitivity, and increased permeability. A compromised barrier makes skin prone to infections and irritants, too. 

Common Environmental Toxins That Can Harm Your Skin

Air pollutants 

Cigarette smke (first and second-hand) 

Heavy metals: (i.e. arsenic, lead, cadmium) 

UV radiation

Emdocrine-dirupting chemicals from plastics, pesticides, etc.

• Hyperpigmentation can form from pollution: Some toxins, especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (which are emitted from traffic and industrial pollution), stimulate melanin overproduction. This can potentially cause the formation of dark spots and uneven pigmentation.
• Toxicities promote carcinogenic effects: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (which happens to be a natural environmental toxin) and certain chemicals, such as arsenic or dioxins, boosts the risks for skin cancer by damaging DNA.
• Pollutants can also impair skin healing abilities: Environmental toxins can reduce the skin’s ability to regenerate and repair itself, delaying wound healing and recovery from irritations. This is due to excessive oxidative damage and inflammation, which can impede re-epithelialization – the process in which new skin is formed for restoring the barrier. 

What Can You Do to Protect Your Skin from Pollution? 

We cannot control some of the toxicities around us – but what we can do is use methods to optimize our skin health. Here are some general tips to start: 

• Wash your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser. Remove makeup at night and use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your face and body during the day. 
• Use moisturizers that contain ceramides. Ceramides are lipids on the epidermis that act as protective layers against pollutants – think of them as ‘bricks’ for the skin! As we mature, the body takes longer to replenish ceramides, which can lead to moisture loss and skin sensitivities. When ceramides are added to moisturizers, they can help soften and protect the skin. 
• You can also apply topical antioxidants, such as lotions and serums containing vitamin C. Consider taking oral supplements or get custom intravenous therapy with antioxidant ingredients, including glutathione, NAC, NAD+, vitamin E, and more – combining IV therapy with healthy living and other treatments can help protect skin from the inside-out. 
• Support the body’s natural elimination processes and overall metabolic function. For example, detoxification may improve from eating hydrating foods, like watermelon, leafy greens, and citrus fruits; getting enough sleep at night; being physically active; and staying hydrated with water and electrolytes. 

If you’re struggling with wrinkles, dark spots, or unsolved rashes, learn more about our custom integrated therapy services today! We understand that health care is a personal choice, which is why patients are welcome to collaborate with our functional medicine practitioners. Think of our practice as a wellness & recovery hub, where lab tests, high-dose nutrients, and more are customized for your unique biology. (Downtown Toronto in-person and virtual care is available.)

Suggested reading: Destressing the Mind and Body with RE:SET Frequencies and Toronto IV Therapy

How To Get Functional Medicine and IV Therapy from Our Toronto Clinic

We are accepting new patients who are committed to optimizing their wellness. Getting treated by our functional and IV therapy clinicians is an easy process – all you need to do is attend an initial consult with one of our practitioners! During this session, we take ample time to discuss your health goals, symptoms, genetic predisposition, lifestyle/environmental factors and more. As we are an integrative functional medicine practice, we take your unique factors into account for customizing your treatment plan. 

Tailored health strategies can include a range of modalities, integrating allopathic and naturopathic medicine with herbal remedies, compression therapy, Chinese medicine, among others. Each of our therapies are customized with functional medicine principles, including doses for intravenous therapy drips. Vitamin drip therapy is administered in our IV Lounge and is conveniently located inside our clinic. We can prescribe a variety of nutrients from our IV vitamin drip menu, including amino acids, NAD+, high-dose vitamin C infusions, glutathione, vitamin B1, and other nutrients; IV drips can be customized for unique holistic health goals, especially for complimenting sports medicine and/or sports rehabilitation treatments. 

Next to tailoring doses of vitamin IV therapy, you should know that we only use natural ingredients – we do not add preservatives to our IV drips! Safety and efficiency are important to us, too, and IV drip therapy sessions are carefully supervised by our team of naturopathic doctors, registered nurses, and nurse practitioners. Please don’t hesitate to call or email our front desk today. 

When combined with lifestyle changes and added functional medicine therapies, tailored IV drips can support health enhancements. Revolutionize your skin & body health now – simply start here to reach our IV Lounge in Toronto for a consultation.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Bocheva G, Slominski RM, Slominski AT. Environmental Air Pollutants Affecting Skin Functions with Systemic Implications. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jun 22;24(13):10502. doi: 10.3390/ijms241310502. PMID: 37445680; PMCID: PMC10341863.

Eberlein-König, Barbara, et al. “Air Pollution (Particulate Matter and Nitrogen Dioxide) and Skin Aging.” Journal of Investigative Dermatology, vol. 139, no. 1, 2019, pp. 52–59. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30627745/.

Haykal, Diala, et al. “The Impact of Pollution and Climate Change on Skin Health: Mechanisms, Protective Strategies, and Future Directions.” JAAD Reviews, vol. 6, 2025, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdrv.2025.05.001. Accessed 10 Sept. 2025.

Kim, Kyung-Chan, et al. “Air Pollution, Autophagy, and Skin Aging: Impact of Particulate Matter (PM10) on Human Dermal Fibroblasts.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 19, no. 9, 2018, Article 2727. MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/9/2727.

Kim, Kyung-A, et al. “Particulate Matter–Induced Emerging Health Effects Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation.” Antioxidants, vol. 13, no. 10, 2024, Article 1256. MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/10/1256.

Lee JW, Ratnakumar K, Hung KF, Rokunohe D, Kawasumi M. Deciphering UV-induced DNA Damage Responses to Prevent and Treat Skin Cancer. Photochem Photobiol. 2020 May;96(3):478-499. doi: 10.1111/php.13245. Epub 2020 May 4. PMID: 32119110; PMCID: PMC7651136.

Rinnerthaler, Mark, et al. “Oxidative Stress and Ageing: The Influence of Environmental Pollution, Sunlight and Diet on Skin.” Cosmetics, vol. 4, no. 1, 2017, Article 4. MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/4/1/4.

Roberts, Wendy. “Air Pollution and Skin Disorders.” International Journal of Women’s Dermatology, vol. 7, no. 1, 2021, pp. 91-97, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.11.001. Accessed 11 Sept. 2025.

Rousselle, Patricia, et al. “Re-epithelialization of Adult Skin Wounds: Cellular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.” Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, vol. 146, 2019, pp. 344-365, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addr.2018.06.019. Accessed 12 Sept. 2025.

Schikowski, Tamara, et al. “Environmental Air Pollutants Affecting Skin Functions with Systemic Implications.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 13, 2023, Article 10502. MDPI, https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/13/10502.

Uddin, Md. Jashim, et al. “Elemental and Molecular Imaging of Human Full Thickness Skin after Exposure to Heavy Metals.” Science of the Total Environment, vol. 740, 2020, Article 140122. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32851388/.

Xu, Fang, et al. “The Impact of Air Pollution on Skin and Related Disorders: A Comprehensive Review.” Frontiers in Environmental Science, vol. 9, 2021, Article 730380. PubMed, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33527709/.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

What is Urban Heat Stress? A Functional Medicine Toronto Info Sheet

Did you know that soaring temperatures can trigger or exacerbate health issues? In this new post, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre sheds light on: 

• What urban heat stress is;
• How it can instigate health challenges;
• And the ways extreme city heat is related to global warming. 

Understanding Urban Heat Stress

Urban heat stress refers to the physical strains experienced by people in cities from elevated temperatures, especially during heatwaves. It’s exacerbated by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, a phenomenon in which cities are significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.

Urban heat is enhanced by: 

• Climate change: Extreme heat shifts in temperatures and weather trends driven by the increased use of fossil fuels, gasses, etc. 
• Urbanization: When additional people move to cities, it causes declines in natural surroundings (i.e. vegetation, soil). New buildings and roads tend to absorb and release heat, too, which contributes to the UHI effect. 

The constituents listed below can also contribute to the severity of urban heat stress: 

• Heat-absorbing materials: Concrete, asphalt, and buildings trap and radiate heat.
• Lack of vegetation: Few trees mean less shade and less evaporative cooling.
• Waste of heat: Air conditioners, vehicles, and factories release additional heat.
• Dense infrastructure: Tall buildings reduce air circulation and trap heat at street level.

Heat has noticeably amplified in our country, even affecting the lifespan of Canadians. However, understanding the effects of urban heat stress can help us make informed decisions for ourselves and our loved ones. 

Health Consequences

Extreme city heat comes with an array of challenges, affecting the physical and mental performances of adults and children. In fact, “A U.S. study of mental health-related emergency department visits found an 8% increase in mental health visits on the hottest days of summer compared with the coolest days,” confirms the American Psychological Association. Urban heat stress can also cause or worsen:

• Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
• Dehydration
• Respiratory distress (especially in those with asthma or COPD)
• Heart attacks 
• Poor sleep, fatigue, and mental stress
• Increased mortality, especially in vulnerable groups (elderly, infants, outdoor workers)

If you’re diagnosed with a chronic condition (i.e. diabetes or heart disease), it’s to your advantage to speak to a functional health provider on keeping cool with your condition. Lifestyle modifications may be advised, too, such as optimizing hydration with IV therapy, installing additional fans in your home, and using an umbrella on sunny days.  

Environmental Impacts

It should also be noted that global warming exacerbates urban heat stress, and poorly designed cities intensify the impact of climate change. Urban heat stress is directly linked to global warming — and the two problems amplify each other: 

• Global warming increases baseline temperatures: Climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions boosts average global and regional temperatures. In turn, heatwaves become frequent, intense, and longer-lasting in busy cities. 
• Urban areas trap more heat: These environments tend to absorb/retain heat due to the asphalt and concrete streets. This contributes to the UHI effect, and can cause cities to be hotter than rural areas by 5-10°C.

When high global temperatures are paired with urban infrastructures, the risks of forming heat-related illness, energy overuse, and air pollution sharply increase. This combined effect “feeds” into the severity of urban heat stress – but there are ways to help reduce excessive city heat:

• Speak to local leaders about adding green roofs, planting more trees, or adjusting city layouts for improving ventilation and shade.
• If you’re planning for outdoor renovations, look into reflective building materials.
• Visit your local cooling centres.
• Listen to warning systems or the news to prepare for high heat (i.e. make sure you have enough drinking water at home, shade, etc.)

Suggested reading: Endometriosis: A Health Profile from Our Toronto Centre for Functional Medicine

Taking Action with Functional and Integrative Medicine

Urban heat stress and other environmental factors (i.e. mold) can take a toll on your health status. At the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, we modify treatment options for your symptom relief and to help prevent the formation of chronic conditions. In fact, a comprehensive approach to wellness is valuable for managing long-term health needs, as well as food sensitivities, chronic pain, menopausal symptoms, and tissue repair. 

Our clinicians adhere to the functional medicine model. This paradigm focuses on individuality, helping to address the root cause of health concerns with tailored strategies, while supporting your natural healing process. These treatments are personalized based on unique constituents, such as medical history, genetics, nutrient deficiencies, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, results from functional lab tests, and more. 

Each treatment modality from our clinic – including doses of IV therapy and herbal medicine – is customized with the principles of functional medicine. As our naturopathic doctor is trained in pharmacognosy (the study of medicinal derivatives), we can safely combine remedies while helping to avoid medication interactions. We are able to integrate conventional medicine practices with natural therapies (i.e. naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine), IV therapy, psychotherapy (lifestyle counselling), Traditional Chinese Medicine, Amazonian herbal remedies, hormone optimization programs (i.e. bioidentical hormone therapy), and more. Especially when it comes to getting intravenous therapy, our treatments are not meant to replace daily healthy habits. When combined with additional functional medicine therapies, as well as balanced eating and exercise, they can support health promotion. 

Just so you know, we’re a patient-centred practice. We encourage you to collaborate with our health providers while your treatment plan is being drafted. We embrace this unique partnership because it provides patients with additional knowledge and confidence in reaching optimal health results. Please don’t hesitate to ask our wellness team any questions!

Are you concerned about exposures to environmental toxins? Take preventative health measures with bespoke functional medicine therapies in Toronto. Simply click here to send us a request your first appointment with us.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Arifwidodo SD, Chandrasiri O. Urban heat stress and human health in Bangkok, Thailand. Environ Res. 2020 Jun;185:109398. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109398. Epub 2020 Mar 19. PMID: 32203732.

Berry, P., Clarke, K., Fleury, M.D. and Parker, S. (2014): Human Health; in Canada in a Changing Climate: Sector Perspectives on Impacts and Adaptation, (ed.) F.J. Warren and D.S. Lemmen; Government of Canada, Ottawa, ON, p. 191-232.

Chen, Kaiyu, et al. “A Multiscale Analysis of Heatwaves and Urban Heat Islands in the Western U.S. during the Summer of 2021.” Scientific Reports, vol. 13, no. 1, 2023, pp. 1-12, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35621-7. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Ebi KL, Capon A, Berry P, Broderick C, de Dear R, Havenith G, Honda Y, Kovats RS, Ma W, Malik A, Morris NB, Nybo L, Seneviratne SI, Vanos J, Jay O. Hot weather and heat extremes: health risks. Lancet. 2021 Aug 21;398(10301):698-708. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(21)01208-3. PMID: 34419205.

Gronlund, Carina J. “Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in Heat-related Health Effects and Their Mechanisms: A Review.” Current Epidemiology Reports, vol. 1, no. 3, 2014, p. 165, https://doi.org/10.1007/s40471-014-0014-4. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

“Heat and health” from the World Health Organizatin (WHO), posted May 28, 2024, viewed on June 5, 2025. 

“Heat Waves, Heat Islands, and Your Health” from the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF), posted on August 1, 2023, viewed on June 4, 2025. 

“How Cities Around the World Are Tackling the Urban Heat Crisis” from Earth.Org, posted June 4, 2024, viewed on June 4, 2025. 

“How heat affects the mind” from the American Psychological Association, posted on June 1, 2024, viewed on June 5, 2025. 

Hsu, Angel, et al. “Disproportionate Exposure to Urban Heat Island Intensity across Major US Cities.” Nature Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, 2021, pp. 1-11, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-22799-5. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Huang, Huanchun, et al. “Urban Heatwave, Green Spaces, and Mental Health: A Review Based on Environmental Health Risk Assessment Framework.” Science of The Total Environment, vol. 948, 2024, p. 174816, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174816. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

Marginean, I., et al. “High-Resolution Modeling and Projecting Local Dynamics of Differential Vulnerability to Urban Heat Stress.” Earth’s Future, vol. 12, no. 10, 2024, p. e2024EF004431, https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EF004431. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

“Reducing Urban Heat Islands to Protect Health in Canada” published by Health Canada, March 2020, viewed on June 4, 2025. 

Tong S, Prior J, McGregor G, Shi X, Kinney P. Urban heat: an increasing threat to global health BMJ 2021; 375 :n2467 doi:10.1136/bmj.n2467

“What is the urban heat island effect?” from American Forests, posted on September 25, 2020, viewed on June 5, 2025. 

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre – (416) 968-6961" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.