What Smoking Does to Your Skin; Acne

Acne is usually associated with puberty. Yet you only have to read the reactions in my blog to see that acne often still occurs after adolescence. Really frustrating, you think you’re over it at last…the smoking makes it worse.

The number of cigarettes a day vs. acne

I read an interesting article this week, just published in this months Journal of American Academy of Dermatology (abstract). In it there is evidence of a significant link between smoking and acne. In addition to this it stated that the amount of cigarettes smoked per day correlates with the seriousness of the acne. This is the type of acne with relatively little redness and inflammation but with a very bumpy uneven skin surface and black heads. This is also the sort of acne that most often occurs in adults; around 85% of women with acne suffer from this type.

Is it already a few years ago that you were at school with a youthful complexion and enjoying a regular smoke? Then you’ve got even more reason to stop now. And if I was you I wouldn’t wait until January the 1st!

Regards Jetske

(Dr. Jetske Ultee – Research Physician Cosmetic Dermatology)

Photographs of what smoking does to your skin: ‘The Impact of Smoking; Twins’
Also read:‘The Effects of Stress on Skin’,
What happens to the skin as you are ‘Getting Older’,
‘Spots. Should I Go to the Doctor or Not?‘,
‘Is There a Link between Diet and Acne?’ and
‘Salt Water and Acne’.