Smoking is bad for your health and there’s no way around it. Smoking tobacco is among the leading causes of many diseases such as lung cancer, heart attack, COPD, erectile dysfunction, and birth defects. But do you know there is a link between smoking and a person’s physical health and appearance?
According to experts, smoking can have a drastic and negative effect on the skin. Dr. Manasi Shirolikar, a consultant dermatologist and Founder of online consulting brand revealed that cigarettes contain Nicotine which can cause apoptosis (cell death) of keratinocytes, which are the primary cell types of the epidermis, responsible for protecting the skin from environmental damage, pathogens, and transepidermal water loss, along with contributing towards the immune response.
“Apoptosis of keratinocytes leads to an activation of melanocytes (cells that produce melanin), which causes an increased production of melanin. This shows up in the skin in the form of age spots, patches, and skin and lip pigmentation, especially in long-term smokers, and chain smokers. Nicotine additionally accelerates the breakdown of elastin and collagen, thus leading to premature ageing in the form of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging skin,” Dr Shirolikar told Financial Express.com.
It also constricts blood vessels, which in turn reduces the oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin, thereby hampering the body’s ability to repair damage, and regenerate new cells, She explained.
This oxidative stress on the skin can also lead to acne. Men who smoke more than 10 cigarettes a day, are also prone to alopecia (baldness) due to the same reasons.
According to Dr. Shirolikar, smoking also depletes the essential Vitamins, especially Vitamin C, which is vital for collagen synthesis, and skin repair.
“This causes the skin and complexion to appear dull and pale, gives one an uneven skin tone, and also contributes towards smoker’s lines (lines around the lips), crow’s feet, nasolabial folds, along with other facial wrinkles, predominantly around the forehead and mouth. The harmful chemicals present in tobacco smoke, which include carbon monoxide and tar, coat the skin, and cause dryness and roughness, on the skin, as well as the lips,” she told Financial Express.com.
Smoking is responsible for decreasing the body’s inflammatory process and immune function (due to a reduced blood flow), which slows down wound healing, and increases the risk of infections, whilst also weakening the process of tissue regeneration. Due to this, smokers are prone to scarring, as well as skin conditions like psoriasis.
“Smokers also have a higher likelihood of developing skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma. This is due to the presence of carcinogens in the cigarettes and tobacco smoke, which directly damage the skin cells, and increase the chances of malignant changes. Also, with a weakened immune system, the ability to fight off the early stages of skin cancer becomes a challenge,” she pointed out.
Thus, to maintain skin health, as well as your body’s health it is essential to quit smoking, and prevent long-term damage, she added.