Can smoking cause acne?

The effect of nicotine on the formation of acne on the surface of the face has long been confirmed by multiple studies.

The skin is always the first to react to numerous negative changes within the body. And in the situation with tobacco smoking, he also feels external influence.

The skin is unable to remain healthy in such a situation. He “suffocates” from a lack of oxygen, micronutrients, and vitamins.

Ultimately, everything will result in the formation of acne. And as long as a person continues to smoke, dangerous disorders will occur inside the body in all layers of the skin.

Does smoking cause acne or help get rid of it?

Smoking is an expensive, ugly and harmful habit. Every smoker, inhaling tobacco smoke, causes severe harm to his body, manifested by various diseases, especially diseases of the respiratory system.

Can smoking cause acne?

In medicine, conclusions about the causes of a disease are made after research. The question of the effect of smoking on the occurrence of acne has been studied repeatedly:

The British Journal of Dermatology published the results of an experiment in 2001 that involved 900 smokers of both sexes. It was found that smokers are more likely to suffer from pimples and acne (regardless of gender and age). We identified the relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked and the severity of rashes and the degree of neglect of acne.
The journal Clinical and Experimental Dermatology in 2004, with a publication on this topic, also fully confirmed the findings of the British Journal of Dermatology. 1264 people took part in the study.
Contrary to two previous studies, the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found no relationship between smoking and acne susceptibility in 600 subjects.

Is it true or false that cigarettes help get rid of skin problems?

Military doctors of the Israel Defense Forces revealed an interesting fact. An analysis was carried out of the cards of conscript soldiers aged 18 to 20 years from 1998 to 2004.

A study has shown that smoking improves acne .

It was found that in young soldiers who smoke moderately (about half a pack a day), the number of skin rashes decreases or disappears altogether compared to non-smokers.

Among pack-a-day smokers, cases of juvenile acne were rare. Those who smoked 30 or more cigarettes a day did not experience juvenile acne at all. Doctors stated the fact that nicotine has an unknown anti-inflammatory property , since no other factors that could affect the cleanliness of the soldiers’ skin were identified.

Nicotine is a drug and its negative effect on the body is much stronger than any positive one!

Why can you get sprinkled after giving up cigarettes?

Acne may appear after quitting smoking for the following reasons:

Digestive disorders, such as constipation. Constipation leads to the development of dysbiosis in the intestines due to the influx of toxins. Intoxication of the body leads to the formation of rashes (pimples).
Quitting smoking leads to hormonal changes in the body, which also leads to the formation of acne.
Changes in skin type, from dry to normal. The production of sebaceous secretions increases and the pores become clogged. It takes time for the skin to adapt to the normal functioning of the sebaceous glands.
Quitting smoking can often trigger an exacerbation of allergies, accompanied by skin rashes.

How long will it take for the rashes to go away if I quit smoking?

Each body is different and may require different amounts of time for the skin to recover. Nicotine is completely eliminated from the body in 2-3 weeks up to six months to restore normal functioning of internal organs . The process of changing hormonal levels when quitting smoking can take from a month to three .

How to get rid of skin problems?

The following will help you fight acne after quitting smoking:

proper nutrition, avoidance of fatty, spicy, sweet foods;
clean water, you need to drink at least 2 liters;
outdoor sports;
sleep at least 8 hours.

All this will help to quickly normalize metabolic processes and hormonal levels .

To effectively combat the inflammatory process on the face, it is better to visit a cosmetologist who will help you choose the right and effective daily care for your skin type.

You can relieve inflammation or completely remove it with the help of folk remedies: lotions made from chamomile decoction or infusion, masks based on aloe and honey, white clay and milk. To combat acne, you can use garlic juice or pulp, but you should apply it very carefully, precisely, only to the area of inflammation, so as not to irritate healthy skin.

Folk remedies are mostly available, safe and effective, but you need to be careful in case of individual intolerance and consult a doctor.

Is there a relationship between acne and smoking an e-cigarette?

Liquids for electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, glycerin, and flavorings. Acne may appear while smoking an e-cigarette if:

you have recently switched from regular cigarettes (for the reasons listed above);
in case of individual intolerance to the components of the cigarette liquid.

If the reason is the first, then you must follow the recommendations described above. If acne appears due to an allergy to a component of the liquid, it is necessary to find an analogue that excludes the allergen .

Conclusion

In addition to health, smoking suffers from appearance, and therefore self-esteem. Yes, acne in smokers is far from the worst consequence of smoking. But this problem is unpleasant and requires attention.

Beautiful and healthy skin is the key to self-confidence. If you cannot cope with the problem of acne on your own, it is better to consult a doctor, but do not forget that the best way to get rid of acne can only be to completely give up cigarettes.

Source: https://no-tabacco.com/kurenie/posledstviya/vliyanie-na-vneshnost/poyavlenie-pryshhej.html

The effect of nicotine on the skin

The provoking factors for the appearance of acne are blockage and inflammatory processes in the subcutaneous glands due to a failure of secretory functions, metabolism and structural damage to the epidermis. All of the above components of the etiological mechanism of the origin of various rashes and acne are caused by cigarette smoke.

First, nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco begin the process of binding hemoglobin in the blood, disrupting the transport of oxygen. As a result, tissue cells, including the skin, will experience severe hypoxia.

The dermis will begin to age prematurely, the secretory functions of the subcutaneous glands will be disrupted, and dry skin will form. Acne will be the result of these processes.

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Also, the relationship between tobacco smoking and rash can manifest itself in an inflammatory reaction from the influence of toxic substances in tobacco smoke. The main damage from nicotine is aimed at the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract.

However, some of the toxic substances will be excreted by the body through sweat, and these toxic components themselves will become a provoking factor in inflammatory processes in the sebaceous glands during their clogging. Acne from smoking with purulent contents is characterized by a similar etiological mechanism.

Regular damage to the dermis of the face can also be caused by the direct influence of tobacco smoke from cigarettes. The skin of the face will be the first part of the body to come into contact with the exhaled smoke after a puff and rising from the cigarette.

The dermis dries out and becomes irritated all the time. Against this background, it will be natural for multiple comedones to appear, and with the addition of a secondary infection - acne and rashes with suppuration.

The influence of tobacco smoking on the formation of rashes on the face in adolescence will be especially strong. At this stage, hormonal changes disrupt metabolic processes and cause active formation of a rash.

In such conditions, smoking significantly aggravates the clinical picture: immunity decreases, blood supply and cell nutrition are disrupted.

On the surface of the face, formed pimples cannot heal on their own for a long period of time, since this is prevented by cigarette smoke, which has an irritating effect.

Hookah: a safe alternative to smoking. Is it so? How does the skin react to hookah smoking?

To justify his addictions, a person can cite as many facts as he likes. Only their reliability still remains a big question. WHO says that smoking hookah is as dangerous a habit as smoking cigarettes. It seems that a significant part of nicotine and other harmful compounds settles in the water, but hookah smoking is a long-term process, as a result of which the total amount of poisons significantly exceeds the usual cigarette norm.

We should not forget that all cigarettes are tested for compliance with certain standards, which simply do not exist for hookah tobacco yet. Therefore, it is completely unclear what may be contained in the smoking mixture and, accordingly, what effect it has on the skin. The coals themselves may also be of unknown origin and composition, and therefore are capable of releasing harmful compounds into inhaled smoke.

Research shows that addiction to hookah is formed no less than from cigarettes. Therefore, considering hookah a harmless way of smoking is a dangerous misconception. In addition, the smoke released during its use settles on the skin, clogging the pores from the outside. Therefore, pimples that pop up after an evening spent in a hookah bar are a common occurrence.

The effect of hookah on the body has not yet been fully studied, due to the variety of its compositions, which are not subject to standardization. Only one thing is clear: in this way, nicotine penetrates the body in the same way and has the same effect on the skin. And unknown impurities can cause completely unpredictable consequences.

Features of acne from smoking

Cigarette smoke, which is released from the smokers' lungs, penetrates the skin of the face. It is impossible to exclude this, even if you exhale deeply all the time after tightening. Smoke contains resins and other elements that clog the pores of the skin, drying it out and causing irritation.

This causes clogging of pores, and then the appearance of acne. When a person has already had problems with their facial skin and a rash on it, the situation can get worse. Previously existing rashes do not heal for a long time, and the skin is not able to fully regenerate.

Together with smoke, a significant amount of chemical compounds enter the body that disrupt the functioning of the skin.

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Collagen, which provides the strength and elasticity of the skin, begins to break down. This affects the functioning of the subcutaneous glands and leads to clogging of their pores.

The concentration inside the body of vitamins A, C and E, which are not absorbed in the presence of many components from tobacco smoke, decreases.

This suggests that the skin loses its ability to counteract negative effects, as well as quickly recover from damage. Inflammation has the ability to spread to adjacent areas virtually without obstacles.

The narrowing of blood vessels as a result of the influence of tobacco smoke leads to a lack of nutrition for skin cells. All of the above circumstances provoke a deterioration in the aesthetic appearance of the dermis and disturbances in its functioning. This is often associated with the appearance of acne.

Causes of acne due to smoking

Experts believe that smoking indirectly affects the formation of acne. Nicotine contained in cigarettes has a negative effect on overall hormonal levels. It is endocrine imbalance that often determines the formation of acne.

The photo clearly demonstrates that acne from cigarettes can appear not only in young people. Sometimes acne occurs in heavy smokers. This is associated with both smoking and inflammatory processes in the digestive system. Smoking causes vasospasm in the stomach, contributes to exhaustion and irritation of the mucous membranes. Thus, gastritis and ulcers gradually develop. Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract manifests itself in the appearance of acne on the skin.

Tobacco smoke has a negative effect on the skin. The skin suffers from a lack of oxygen. Nicotine during smoking leads to sudden constriction of blood vessels. Skin nutrition is disrupted, and the process of restoration of cellular elements slows down.

When smoke settles on the skin during smoking, it clogs pores and interferes with the self-cleaning process. When the sebaceous glands are active, clogged pores cause the formation of blackheads and pimples. Lack of oxygen and important nutrients reduces the rate of cellular regeneration processes. The healing of the skin slows down.

Attention! Smoking and facial acne are related.

How to reduce harmful effects

It is difficult for many to give up such a harmful habit as smoking, since doctors believe that addiction in such a situation is similar to a drug.

However, when a person persistently tries to overcome himself, but has not fully overcome such a habit, he can significantly reduce the harmful effects on the skin and the body as a whole.

To do this you need:

drink at least 2 liters of drinking water throughout the day, it helps eliminate toxic components and has a beneficial effect on maintaining the functioning of internal organs;
diversify the menu with vegetables and fruits that saturate the body with essential vitamins and minerals, and also contain fiber, which cleanses the gastrointestinal tract and is involved in eliminating harmful particles;
spend more time on the street, the body needs to compensate for the lack of oxygen due to smoking;
You need to take more careful care of your facial skin – cleanse, moisturize and nourish it.

Such instructions should be carried out constantly, in particular when acne has already appeared on the dermis.

Facial skin care after quitting smoking

The result of quitting nicotine addiction for the body is stress. The new pace of work requires additional energy expenditure, so to help him cope with the increased load, it is good to adhere to the following rules:

Replace smoking with exercise. During physical exercise, the body is also saturated with oxygen, which the skin, depleted during smoking, lacked.
Purchase high-quality cleansers that do not contain alcohol, which dries out the already tired epithelium, and essential oils, which clog pores, leading to the formation of acne. It is necessary to help the dermis cope with excess skin secretions through proper cleansing.
Watch your diet. There is no need to replace the time previously allocated for a cigarette with eating. It’s better to reconsider the set of products itself. Include fermented milk products and live yogurt in your diet, which will help the gastrointestinal tract remove accumulated harmful substances as quickly as possible and normalize its functioning. Eat more raw vegetables and fruits.
If you have the funds, visit a specialized salon to undergo special cleansing procedures.

Nicotine poisoning continues for a long period and in the first days the body reacts unpredictably to the absence of the already familiar poison. By helping him cope with stress, you contribute to his speedy recovery, which quickly affects the appearance of the skin.

Acne after quitting smoking

However, the opposite situation often happens when a person quits smoking and pimples form on the skin. The flow of toxic substances into the body stopped, therefore, the general condition of the internal organs should have improved.

However, the appearance of a rash in such a situation indicates that toxic elements are removed from the internal organs. Part of the elimination function is taken over by the skin, and acne is evidence of this process.

After quitting smoking, a rash may appear due to the following provoking factors:

Epithelial compensation. Tobacco smoke, which, penetrating deep into the body, causes vasoconstriction for approximately 1.5 hours. When the patient smokes cigarettes in the range of 1-1.5 hours, the process will proceed without stopping. After giving up this bad habit, due to the normalization of blood flow, the subcutaneous glands will begin to function intensively, which will cause clogging of their pathways.
Hormonal changes. Quitting smoking is a kind of stressful situation for the body, which is adapting to unfamiliar operating conditions. This leads to hormonal disorders.
Exacerbation of skin diseases of allergic origin. Likewise, it can also cause a rash on the skin. The body needs a certain period of time to cleanse itself of toxic substances.

This does not happen immediately, it takes about 2 to 6 months, taking into account how long the person has been smoking.

Quitting bad habits and restoring skin functions

Reading these lines, people who have already tried to quit smoking may argue that there is no connection between smoking and skin diseases, since short-term nicotine withdrawal did not cause improvement. And often the problem even got worse. But we do not live in a time when diseases were treated with morphine and marijuana. This makes it even more surprising that many people think that nicotine inhibits inflammatory processes and has a positive effect on the skin. After giving up cigarettes, acne appears as a result of the launch of explainable mechanisms.

Restoring its normal activity, the skin begins to receive more oxygen, cellular metabolism accelerates, sebum is also produced at an increased rate, provoking the occurrence of acne. This is a temporary phenomenon, lasting exactly as long as the epidermis gets used to the new rhythm.
Nicotine has the property of suppressing the feeling of hunger. That is why, having decided to quit smoking, many begin to gain weight rapidly. An unbalanced diet affects the functions of the digestive system, the activity of which is immediately reflected by the skin.
At the same time, if a former smoker is able to show willpower and does not replace smoking with junk food, the appearance of acne will still intensify for a while. Not only the skin, but also all other organs get used to a new way of life, enriched with oxygen and nutrients. The digestive system and others also begin to intensively remove toxins from the body that they could not cope with before. The skin, being part of the excretory system, receives additional load to the above.

An increase in the number of acne after quitting smoking is a temporary phenomenon, due to the restructuring of the body to work without nicotine. This period can be long and an integrated approach to solving emerging skin problems will help to cope with them faster.

Treatment methods

The main method of influencing acne is to completely quit smoking. However, it is extremely difficult for a person who has been smoking for many years to decide to do this.

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To help, you need to remember some simple instructions to counteract such a bad habit:

to quit smoking immediately and completely;
nicotine patches and medications to alleviate the condition during the transition period
take a rehabilitation course.

However, the final elimination of acne on the surface of the face and obtaining healthy and clean skin is a complex and lengthy process. Only complex therapy for this problem will help eliminate the rash after quitting smoking.

It assumes:

revision of the previous diet ;
proper skin hygiene
drinking the required amount of fluid every day;
regular and active walks outside;
use of medications .

In order to eliminate skin inflammation and prevent new rashes, you need to focus on improving your diet. You need to completely remove fatty, salty, and smoked foods from your menu, which cause irritation in the stomach.

Adequate fluid intake will help eliminate toxic components and other harmful substances from cells, and also promote proper hydration and cleansing of the skin.

To remove the rash, you should adhere to the rules of daily hygiene of the face and body, and use special preparations for care.

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In extremely difficult situations, if rashes appear on large areas of the skin, you need to use medications as prescribed by a doctor.

Tea tree oil, products that contain salicylic acid and other medications help soothe the skin.

In some cases, those who quit smoking complain that the difficulties with the rash on the dermis did not go away, but only worsened. In such a situation, you should be patient and strictly follow doctors' instructions regarding a healthy lifestyle.

Skin restoration processes take a long time. They are interconnected with normalizing metabolic processes, eliminating hormonal imbalances, as well as accelerating intestinal motility, etc.

Only after 2 months have passed from the moment the patient quit smoking, it is possible to notice certain positive results. Over time, new growths on the skin and various inflammations should disappear, and the complexion will improve.

Acne treatment is a long process that can take several months. It is better to prevent a disease than to eliminate it later. The best prevention is to give up the bad habit. When there is not enough willpower to take such a step, then other measures must be taken.

Electronic cigarette and acne. Is there a direct relationship?

Another fashionable replacement for the classic cigarette is the electronic cigarette (e-cigarette, vape). Before discussing the possible relationship between this gadget and the formation of acne, it is worth mentioning that such a device is relatively new. Therefore, the number of studies conducted does not yet allow us to make a 100% verdict.

One thing remains indisputable: if an electronic cigarette contains nicotine liquid, then all the side effects of this substance will be present with this method of smoking. But even if the liquid does not contain nicotine, then according to existing medical research, vaping it is fraught with consequences that indirectly affect the formation of acne. Among them are:

Negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract, in particular on the stomach. Considering vaping harmless, many become seriously psychologically dependent on it and, as soon as they open their eyes, immediately take their first puffs. Such uncontrolled vaping leads to gastrointestinal diseases and even ulcers. And these diseases are directly related to the condition of the skin.
Exhaled steam, like cigarette smoke, settles on the skin and also clogs pores. The result can be acne if you do not thoroughly cleanse your facial skin every day.
Glycerin, which is part of vaping liquids, is a real desiccant. Therefore, it has a negative effect on the skin, which dries due to lack of moisture in the body. As a result, she becomes sensitive, irritated and more prone to breakouts.

So far, a direct relationship between vaping an electronic cigarette and the appearance of acne has not been scientifically found. But there is an indirect connection between these two processes.

Consequences for the skin of switching from a regular cigarette to an electronic one

Many smokers note that after switching from regular cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, they find that white pimples appear on their faces that were not there before. There may be several reasons for this, for example:

Detoxification associated with quitting cigarettes, not a result of vaping.
Allergic reactions to some components contained in liquids. Only by selecting your own fillers can you get rid of this effect.
If the liquids do not contain nicotine, then rashes and other skin reactions (for example, itching) may also be the result of nervous excitement associated with the absence of the drug.
Incorrect selection of strength or excessive abuse of vaping. The fact is that it is difficult to correctly calculate the amount of nicotine consumed when vaping. The result of this may be an increase in nicotine consumption, the effects of which on the skin have already been discussed above.

The first cigarette is the desire of teenagers to solve some problem: the approval of their comrades, a protest against something. And no one thinks about what kind of time bomb they are picking up. But nicotine is a real drug that wages its war from the inside.

Whatever type of smoking you choose, remember that its effects on the skin are harmful and, often, irreversible. Acne is only an external manifestation of destructive processes occurring in the body under the influence of nicotine, tar and other dangerous substances.

Reasons for the development of pathology

Many people who abuse tobacco wonder whether smoking can cause acne. Scientists insist that a similar phenomenon is often observed, which is due to the harmful effects of nicotine and tar on the human body. This exposure often leads to the following problems that cause cigarette acne:

Narrowing of small capillaries on the skin, as a result of which tissue nutrition is disrupted and the acid-base balance is disturbed.
The sebaceous glands, located in the epidermis, begin to function at an increased rate.
A disorder in the level of hormones in the body as a result of improper functioning of the endocrine system.
Insufficient nutrition of the skin, slowing down the process of restoration of damaged cells.
Disorder of collagen and elastin production.
Clogged pores on the epidermis, the inability to clean them due to the influence of tobacco smoke.
Increased carboxyhemoglobin levels in skin cells.
Reducing the thickness of the skin, increasing the risk of damage.

How to get rid of acne when smoking

Before you begin treating acne, you should find out the root cause of its occurrence. If acne from cigarettes appears due to the deficiency of vitamins A, E, B or C caused by them, medications are prescribed that compensate for their deficiency. These include:

Asvitol is a vitamin preparation that contains ascorbic acid. It helps replenish vitamin C in the body and reduce the negative effects of free radicals.

The drug is taken once a day, 1-2 tablets after meals for 1 month.

Pentovit is used for therapeutic and preventive purposes for deficiency of B vitamins, for frequent stressful situations, as well as for dermatoses. Use vitamins 3 times a day, 2-4 tablets.

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Aevit is a serious vitamin complex that should not be taken without a doctor's prescription. It contains vitamins A and E, an excess of which in the body can lead to serious side effects. Before prescribing them, the necessary tests are taken to confirm that acne arose due to a deficiency of tocopherol and retinol.

The drug is used both internally and externally. When used topically, it helps relieve inflammation and redness of the skin.

If acne occurs from smoking, the person suffering from the rash needs to drink as much fluid as possible. You need to drink at least 1.5 liters of drinking water per day. You should also reduce your consumption of sugary foods. Your daily diet should include as many fruits and vegetables as possible. By adhering to healthy eating rules, you can reduce the negative effects of tobacco smoke on your skin.