Dramatic images show the hideous toll microplastics exposure could take on your face

Think twice before grabbing that plastic water bottle — it could be taking a toll on your looks. A leading waste management company in the UK has tapped the latest studies on microplastics to generate shocking images that show how different levels of exposure could impact your appearance.Spoiler alert: It’s not pretty.Microplastics are tiny particles less than 5 millimeters in size that break off from larger plastic items and industrial waste over time. They’re everywhere, from the beauty products you use to the food you eat, the water you drink and the air you breathe.That means they’re inside our bodies, too.Scientists have found microplastics in human lungs, livers, kidneys, hearts, blood, testicles and even breast milk — while some researchers uncovered an entire spoonful of them in human brains.Studies suggest these pesky particles could damage cells and disrupt organs, potentially increasing the risk of heart disease, cancer, infertility and other chronic conditions.“While much of the research into the effects of microplastics on humans is in the early stages, it’s clear to see there are many worrying signs of how this pollution might affect us,” said Mark Hall, a plastic waste expert at Business Waste.

“The imagery we have generated is based on the findings of these studies and shows alarming results, but we hope the images will make people sit up and pay attention to the larger issue,” he added.The company broke down what the effects could look like in stages, from low exposure to high exposure,Low-level exposure to microplastics typically comes from our food, drink and everyday environment.While most symptoms at this stage are internal and not immediately visible, experts say they can still have an impact on our appearance and well-being.Studies suggest that microplastics’ interaction with endocrine disruptors — chemicals that interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system — can lead to skin dryness, redness and ...