A person's skin reflects the state of his body. When cigarettes are abused, toxins negatively affect the functioning of a person’s internal organs and skin. This is why people often get acne from smoking. This phenomenon can be observed in representatives of different sexes, most of them have no idea about the reasons for the development of the pathology. Of course, in adolescence, the appearance of acne is associated with hormonal changes in the body. Even when this period ends, smokers’ acne does not go away; it negatively affects the person’s mental state.
Acne from smoking cigarettes: is there a connection?
You may have noticed that acne often appears in non-smokers. But at the same time, many people who abuse cigarettes have an absolutely clean face. Because of this, most people begin to doubt that acne may appear due to smoking. By the way, it is this statement that often becomes the main argument in the debate about whether cigarettes are harmful to the skin or not. However, there are confirmed facts about which it is impossible to argue. And all of them testify far from in favor of tobacco products.
As we have already said, acne does not occur in every smoker. But at the same time, there is a relationship between smoking and acne, and a very direct one. The fact is that people with problem skin are particularly sensitive to any effect on the epidermis. Both external and internal. And tobacco harms the skin in both aspects
Skin cells do not receive enough oxygen
Let's start with the most obvious. Smoking prevents your body from supplying your cells with enough oxygen. The reason is simple - the lungs are clogged with tobacco smoke and tar, which makes breathing difficult. In addition, because of this, the blood vessels narrow. And this also does not help the epidermis receive as much oxygen and nutrients as it requires.
Combustion products clog pores
And secondly, during smoking, tobacco combustion products deposit on the skin of the face. Resins, microparticles of paper ash and other components of cigarette smoke. All this gets into open pores and clogs them. As a result, the inflammatory process begins. This is especially true for people with oily skin types. The pores are filled not only with fat, but also with these harmful particles. This is how acne appears from smoking.
In the figure below you can see what substances are contained in cigarette smoke. And it’s not so much tobacco with nicotine that is to blame, but everything else. The cigarette shell is made of paper, which is impregnated with a technical solvent and coated with paint. When burned, these substances become toxic.
Skin dehydration
And thirdly, it is known that due to cigarette abuse, the skin becomes dehydrated. This happens for the same reason why your cells do not receive enough oxygen. Blood vessels narrow and simply cannot supply the skin with enough water. And if you have dry or sensitive skin itself, be prepared for the appearance of many microcracks and wrinkles. And, ultimately, acne.
But this does not mean that cigarettes do not affect the skin of people with a normal type of epidermis. In this case, the skin becomes dull and tight. There is a constant feeling of dryness, and wrinkles appear faster.
Why not all smokers suffer from skin problems
It can be argued that not every person who smokes suffers from rashes on the face and other parts of the body. But do not forget that skin type, lifestyle, nutrition, hygiene and care play an important role in the cleanliness of the skin.
Don’t delude yourself and test your body. Even if today, due to physiological characteristics, the skin looks good, years later nicotine poisoning will manifest itself suddenly and aggressively. Smoking has a particularly detrimental effect on collagen fibers, which are responsible for the elasticity and youthfulness of the skin. This is why long-term smokers look much older than their non-smoking peers.
Smoking itself damages the epidermis slowly but systematically. Therefore, the connection between this addiction and disruption of the normal functioning of the skin often remains invisible.
Delving into the essence of the effects of nicotine on the skin, we can come to the conclusion that smoking is not the root cause of acne, but having a comprehensive effect on all organs, it becomes a catalyst for processes destructive to the dermis.
About the positive effect: when smoking helps with acne
However, there is also a myth about the positive effects of cigarettes on the skin. After all, really - if tobacco dries out the skin, then perhaps it can also dry out pimples? Or maybe even prevent new ones from appearing! It sounds good, but in reality, it doesn't work like that at all.
This opinion was formed due to the misconception that some people have about dry and oily skin. Many people believe that oily skin types do not need additional moisturizing because it will “ruin the skin and cause new acne.” By the same logic, if you dry it out, there will be no more acne. But actually it is not.
The problem with oily skin is the excess production of sebum, which eventually clogs the pores. But water is a completely different matter. Even this type of dermis needs it, and overdrying will definitely not make it better. On the contrary, because of this, cracks and peeling appear, which provoke the appearance of new acne.
Therefore, one cannot assume that cigarettes will save the skin from acne by depriving it of moisture. In fact, smokers need intensive hydration more than others. Even if they have oily skin. Smoking, in principle, does not provide any benefits for the epidermis. On the contrary, if you smoke, then you will have to take care of your dermis more carefully.
Methods of infection
A louse in a child, as well as in an adult, can appear in several ways:
- First of all, this happens through direct contact with the patient. Without touching the infected area (head, groin, etc.), the parasites will not be able to move to a new host, even if he is experiencing nervous stress. Direct contact is ensured during children's games, hugs, kisses, while playing sports, and sexual intercourse.
- The louse can stay in water for up to 2 days, so sometimes infection occurs while swimming in water.
- If you use the accessories of a person with lice, hairpins, combs, first one louse will appear on the head, and soon a whole brood will appear.
- While using one towel, you can become infected with pubic parasites. The same disease develops if you spend the night on an infected bed (for example, in a hotel).
- When using someone else's headdress, provided that the owner of the item is infected with parasites.
As you can see, lice do not appear in humans from nerves. In order for infection to occur, it is necessary to provide opportunities for this, namely, direct contact with the patient or his things.
Acne after quitting smoking cigarettes: when does this happen?
This is also possible. Really. Many people complain that after quitting cigarettes, acne only gets worse. Because of this, people begin to return to the bad habit, thinking that quitting smoking does not improve the condition of their skin and body. But don't give up so soon. You need to take into account the fact that this will not last long. In just a month or two, there will be even less acne than there was while using cigarettes.
But you probably want to know why this effect appears at all. There are several good reasons for this:
- After giving up cigarettes, the body begins to actively cleanse itself. And, as you know, it removes all waste and toxins through sweat and sebaceous glands. All this remains on the skin, and as a result more acne appears. However, cleansing will take some time, especially if you have been smoking for more than one year;
- It often happens that when quitting smoking, people begin to replace the desire to smoke. Most often, by eating fatty or sweet foods, and in large quantities. And this is the direct cause of acne. We have already talked about this in this article ;
- the effect is not always noticeable immediately. The fact is that after people quit smoking, they begin to think that visible changes will appear here and now. But in reality, the body needs time to cleanse and restore. On average, this entire period can last six months. However, this again depends on how many years you have been addicted to cigarettes.
If you experience acne while quitting smoking, remember. In just a month, there will be even less acne than there was while using cigarettes. This is temporary.
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.
Acne from smoking cigarettes: true or false?
Now, it's time to take stock. Definitely yes. Cigarettes really have a negative effect on your skin. They prevent blood vessels from supplying epidermal cells with sufficient water and nutrients. Because of this, it dries out, becomes dull and weak. In addition, due to the fact that cigarette combustion products settle on the skin and enter open pores, severe inflammation can begin. And in combination with weakened skin, this creates an extremely unpleasant effect.
And the only way to get rid of acne after cigarettes is to stop smoking. If there are no other negative factors affecting the skin, and acne covers the entire face, then giving up cigarettes is all you can do for your skin. If this is not possible in the near future, then it is worth trying to at least reduce the negative impact of tobacco products on the dermis. This can be achieved by combining a reduction in cigarette consumption per day and proper skin care. Naturally, in the case of smokers, there are some special features of daily care for the epidermis. And we will talk about them in the next section.
Is it possible to distinguish nicotine rashes in teenagers?
During puberty, pustular rashes are a common occurrence. Physiological hormonal changes occur in the body, which are reflected on the skin. Nicotine acne can be identified by observing the elements.
Cigarette acne has characteristic symptoms:
- constancy and duration of the clinical course;
- ineffectiveness of treatment measures;
- associated dermatological problems - yellowness and flaking of the skin.
Hormonal rashes appear cyclically. They appear during puberty. Acne quickly disappears with proper therapy or a change in diet. Typical localization is the frontal, zygomatic and buccal areas.
Nicotine acne is characterized by dissemination. They can be found on any part of the body.
How to care for your skin if you smoke: main rules
Of course, it is impossible to smoke and have perfect skin at the same time. But if you choose the right method of care and determine what you should pay special attention to, then the situation can become significantly better. But remember that even in this case, you are not preventing the negative effects of cigarettes on the epidermis, but are only correcting the consequences of your addiction.
Of course, in this case it will not be possible to achieve the ideal state of the epidermis. But you can minimize the effects of tobacco on the dermis.
Some useful tips
Now it’s worth talking about the rules that should be followed so that the skin does not suffer so much from a bad habit. We recommend doing the following:
- intense hydration. Since cigarettes prevent the epidermis from receiving a sufficient amount of moisture, you need to compensate for this deficiency yourself. Now, just drinking a lot of water is no longer enough - you also need to make extra efforts. You should apply moisturizer two or three times a day, and leave a special mask on your face at night;
- Avoid drying skin care products. The drying agent is easy to identify. It contains sulfates at the very beginning. They are combined with alcohol and are not diluted with any emollients;
- varied diet. We do not insist that you limit yourself to junk food. However, it should be diluted with other products that have a positive effect on the condition of the skin. These include red fish, parsley, vegetables, fruits and white meat;
- regular cleaning of pores. Your pores are constantly clogged with cigarette combustion products, which causes serious inflammation. This is especially true for people with oily skin. In this case, combustion products mix with sebum, causing large and painful pimples to appear.
If you follow these rules, your skin condition will be at least normal. The situation simply will not seriously deteriorate. But remember that all of the above only helps mitigate the effects of smoking. And it’s completely impossible to get rid of them as long as you continue to abuse cigarettes.
