Ageing Cities

Many of us wish to maintain our youthful appearance for as long as possible, and there are many different skin treatments and preventative measures that can be used to achieve this.

But could where you live be ageing you prematurely?

To find out, The Harley Street Skin Clinic has analysed a variety of environmental factors, such as greenhouse gas emissions, UV pollution and water hardness, to discover which areas of the UK could be ageing you the quickest.

Kingston upon Hull - 7.48 out of 10 ageing score

Topping the list as the quickest ageing city is Kingston upon Hull, scoring 7.48 out of 10. The city, located in East Yorkshire, has the highest proportion of smokers, at 22%. It also has a hard water classification, meaning that it has a high mineral content, most commonly calcium and magnesium. People living in hard water areas may experience dry skin, which can worsen conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Kingston upon Hull has 4.21 tCO₂e greenhouse gas emissions per capita and an average annual UV of 2.92. High levels of air pollutants and UV exposure can cause a wide range of skin issues, including acne, premature ageing and skin cancer.

Stoke-on-Trent - 7.29 out of 10 ageing score

The city of Stoke-on-Trent is next, with an ageing score of 7.29 out of 10. It is one of the three cities on the list to have a water classification of very hard, meaning the city’s residents are the most likely to experience unwanted side effects on their skin.

Stoke-on-Trent, located in Staffordshire, has a slightly higher level of greenhouse gas emissions compared to Kingston upon Hull, standing at 4.37 tCO₂e. However, its average annual UV is 2.70, meaning that those living there are slightly less exposed to the sun. The city has a life satisfaction score of 7.16 out of 10, which is the fourth lowest score of all cities analysed.

Manchester - 6.52 out of 10 ageing score

Manchester takes third place, scoring 6.52 out of 10. The city, located in the northwest of England, has the lowest life satisfaction score and the second-highest anxiety score, meaning residents may often feel stressed and anxious. Both of these feelings can contribute to early signs of ageing.

In addition, a relatively high proportion (16.8%) of Manchester residents smoke, meaning that their skin may be deprived of oxygen, causing it to appear dull. However, despite all of this, the city has a water classification of soft, meaning that residents may be less likely to experience dry skin.

Plymouth - 2.72 out of 10 ageing score

The UK city ageing the slowest is Plymouth, scoring 2.72 out of 10. Plymouth, located in Devon, has 3.55 tCO₂e greenhouse gas emissions per capita, which is one of the lowest figures on the list. Approximately 15.5% of the city’s residents smoke, meaning it sits in the middle of the cities in this study.

Plymouth has one of the highest life expectancies on the list, at 80.59 years. It also scores an admirable 7.45 out of 10 for life satisfaction, showing that the city’s residents are generally happy with their lives and don’t regularly experience stress or anxiety.

Bournemouth - 2.99 out of 10 ageing score

In second place is Bournemouth, with an ageing score of 2.99 out of 10. Located in Dorset, Bournemouth is a coastal resort town, meaning its residents can enjoy both the beach and the sea, which may help alleviate stress and anxiety. This could explain the town’s high life satisfaction score of 7.57 out of 10 and its low anxiety score of 3.10 out of 10.

Just 11.4% of Bournemouth residents smoke, which suggests that people will find it easier to maintain a bright complexion and experience less premature ageing. However, due to being a coastal town, Bournemouth does have an average annual UV level of 3.08, which is the highest of all the places on the list.

Northampton - 3.13 out of 10 ageing score

Following closely behind, with an ageing score of 3.13 out of 10, is Northampton. The town, located in the East Midlands, has both the highest life satisfaction score (7.59) and the lowest anxiety score (2.96) out of the top three. It also has the second-highest life expectancy rate overall, at 81.83 years.

In addition, only 12.6% of those living in Northampton are smokers, meaning premature ageing is less likely for the majority. All of these factors will help to contribute towards a glowing and youthful complexion. However, it’s important to note that the town has the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions per capita on the list, at 6.59 tCO₂e.

As mentioned previously, Northampton has the highest levels of greenhouse gas emissions throughout the UK. With 6.59 tCO₂e emissions per capita, the town experiences significantly more air pollution than the majority of locations in this study. In fact, a recent study found that Northampton residents indirectly smoke 189 cigarettes a year due to air pollution [1].

The Scottish city of Aberdeen places second, with 5.36 tCO₂e greenhouse gas emissions per capita. The high levels of air pollution in the city are mainly due to road traffic, however, Aberdeen City Council are aiming to improve the air quality in the city through its Air Quality Action Plan [2].

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is in third place with 5.12 tCO₂e greenhouse gas emissions per capita. This is then followed by Cardiff (4.97 tCO₂e) and Leeds (4.84 tCO₂e). All those living in these locations could be experiencing premature ageing, such as wrinkles and dry, sagging skin.

Considering Bournemouth is a coastal town, it’s no surprise that the location has the highest average annual UV level on the list. Throughout the months of April and October, the UV level in Bournemouth fluctuates between 3 and 5[3], meaning that there is a moderate risk of burning [4]. Burning your skin in the sun can lead to things such as premature wrinkles, pigmentation changes, decreased elasticity and broken capillaries (also known as spider veins).

Other cities and towns with moderate UV exposure include Aberdeen, Birmingham, Portsmouth, London and Brighton, all of which have an average annual UV level of 3.

At 22%, Kingston upon Hull takes the top spot as the city with the highest proportion of smokers. The Scottish city of Glasgow is in second place with a slightly lower proportion of 20%. This is then closely followed by Belfast (19.2%), Bolton (18.4%) and Liverpool (17.8%).

Smoking can have many damaging effects on the skin. For example, heavy tobacco use can cause the skin to appear grey and begin to sag [5]. The puckering of the mouth when smoking a cigarette can also cause wrinkles to form around the mouth and eyes [5].

Of all 30 locations in this study, just three have a water classification of very hard: Stoke-on-Trent, Southampton and Reading. The human skin can be affected by hard water in many ways. For example, the skin can be stripped of its natural oils and become dry and itchy due to hard water’s high mineral content. In addition, soap scum can build up on the skin, which can lead to clogged pores and acne.

Due to Stoke-on-Trent, Southampton and Reading having very hard water, residents of these locations are more likely to experience the side effects mentioned previously. There are also seven cities and towns that have a hard water classification, including Coventry, Newcastle upon Tyne and Luton. This means that people living in these locations are also likely to experience changes to their skin due to the water, although at a lower rate.

Topping the list as the most anxious city in the UK is Southampton, scoring 3.81 out of 10. While anxiety doesn’t necessarily directly cause skin issues, it can cause existing ones to worsen, such as psoriasis, eczema and acne. This is because anxiety can transition into chronic stress, which then raises cortisol levels.

High cortisol levels can cause increased oil production, leading to clogged pores and breakouts. They also make it harder for the skin to retain water which can then cause it to flake and wrinkle.

Also among the top five most anxious cities are Manchester (3.73), Derby (3.57), Cardiff and Edinburgh (both 3.55).

Greenhouse gas emissions

The effects of air pollution have caused this individual’s skin to become inflamed and red, showing a damaged skin barrier. There is also visible acne scarring, more prominent fine lines and the skin under the eyes is beginning to sag.

UV exposure

This individual’s skin has been highly damaged by mass exposure to the sun. Multiple symptoms suggest the presence of skin cancer, such as red and brown patches and loss of definition in the lips. This is in addition to a high volume of prominent fine lines and wrinkles, particularly on the forehead and around the mouth area.

Smoking

Cigarettes can have a very damaging effect on our skin, as shown by this individual. Their skin has become very dull and lifeless, particularly under the eyes. Intense fine lines are also beginning to form around this individual’s mouth, mainly due to excessive puckering when smoking a cigarette.

Water hardness

It’s evident that this individual lives in an area with hard water, as there is visible damage to their skin. For example, their skin looks dry due to the hard water stripping it of its moisture and natural oils. There are also some signs of inflammation and acne scarring, which can occur from soap residue buildup.

Anxiety

One of the most visible signs of stress and anxiety is premature ageing. This can be seen on this individual’s face in the form of many fine lines and wrinkles. The eyes also appear very sunken, with dullness and dark circles under the eyes.

Poor life satisfaction

Emotions such as stress, anger, sadness, and frustration can lead to poor life satisfaction. This can manifest into fine lines and wrinkles due to repeated facial expressions, like furrowed brows and frowning. Individuals with poor life satisfaction may also neglect their skin, which may contribute to clogged pores, dull skin, and premature ageing.

Poor life expectancy

Low life expectancies often correlate with conditions such as sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and osteoporosis (loss of bone density), both of which can lead to the hollowing of the face, making it appear sunken. The skin also becomes less able to repair cellular damage, which can cause dullness and uneven skin texture.