Numerous toxic compounds found in tobacco smoke can hurt skin cells. Smoking decreases the amount of oxygen that reaches the epidermis, which causes more inflammation, slower wound healing, and various skin conditions. Exposure to cigarette smoke can change a person’s physical look over time. It includes a variety of chemicals known as carcinogens, which are those that help cancer develop. These harmful substances can harm the epidermis, teeth, eyes, and hair, causing several chronic illnesses and diseases.
Smoking affects skin issues in several ways, including:
- Untimely aging
The lines and wrinkles that begin to appear on the skin due to smoking are among the most apparent side effects. Crow’s feet develop due to smokers wrinkling their eyes to shield them from smoke. While crow’s feet typically show after a certain age for most people, they do so earlier for smokers. Additionally, the pouting motion used to smoke a cigarette can lead to wrinkles around the lips that eventually become permanent. Around the upper and lower lips, these are typically discernible as minute, straight lines. As a diuretic, nicotine in cigarettes causes the body to become dehydrated. Smoking also slows the skin’s ability to absorb vitamins C and A, accelerating facial aging. These vitamins, which contain antioxidants, are essential for good skin.
- Psoriasis
The likelihood of developing palmoplantar pustulosis, a type of psoriasis, increases twofold in smokers. Compared to nonsmokers, they are also known to experience more intense or frequent psoriasis outbreaks. They become more prone to vulnerability when they smoke to relieve tension. Although nicotine is known to weaken the immune system and create inflammation in the skin, in addition to harming cell growth, psoriasis is an autoimmune condition where stress may be a trigger. The chance of psoriasis can rise when all these factors are considered.
- Closure of wounds
Any cut on a smoker’s body heals more slowly because their blood vessels are constricted. The danger of infection, gangrene, flap failure, slower keratinocyte transfer, and the time it takes to form new blood vessels in the wound is also increased. In reality, a smoker who needs surgery may be advised to stop smoking because of the negative impact the toxins will have on the recovery time. Additionally, smoking can lead to and lengthen arterial ulcers in the extremities, diabetic foot ulcers, and calciphylaxis. Smokers will even have more obvious scars after surgery or after wound recovery. Stretch marks are considered a side effect of smoking and are brought on by rapid weight increase.
- Vasculitis
The condition known as thromboangiitis obliterans, or Buerger’s disease, is brought on by constricted blood flow from nicotine in cigarettes. It limits blood flow to the extremities and feet. Blood clots may develop anywhere in the body due to this type of vasculitis due to a shortage of blood, tissue damage, and pain resulting from blocked blood vessels in the hands and feet. In severe instances, the hands and feet may develop ulcers that can cause gangrene, necessitating the amputation of the finger or toe that has become infected. Smoking can also lead to or make diseases like chilblains, ulcers, thrombosis, cholesterol emboli, and frostbite worse.
We hope this information was helpful, do let us know what you do to quit smoking.