7 harmful effects of tobacco on the skin, do you know?
(Baonghean.vn) - The harmful effects of tobacco increase skin aging, slow wound healing, increase the risk of skin cancer,... significantly affecting the health and beauty of the skin.
1. The harmful effects of tobacco increase skin aging
Did you know that smoking causes wrinkles to appear on your face earlier than sun exposure? “Crow’s feet” around the eyes and vertical lines around the mouth called “smoker’s lines” can appear early.
Because cigarettes damage blood vessels, slow down microcirculation to the skin, causing skin circulatory failure; reduce collagen and cause changes in the skin's elastic fibers; heat from cigarettes causes mild burns on the face; reduce skin moisture. Therefore, the face of a smoker will have symptoms such as: many large and small wrinkles, skin shrinkage, pale, yellow, gray. This symptom is more common in women than men.
On the other hand, when smoking a lot of cigarettes, women experience early menopause, causing destruction of vitamin C, yellowing of the skin on the fingertips and nails, and brown spots.
2. Smoking increases the risk of lupus erythematosus
Over the past few years, research has shown that the risk of discoid lupus erythematosus is increased tenfold in smokers. One theory is that it increases autoimmune activity by activating B and T lymphocytes. Treatment of cutaneous lupus erythematosus with Hydroxychloroquine and other drugs is less effective in smoking.
3. Smoking slows wound healing
Smoking increases the risk of wound infection, graft failure, blood clots, and tissue death, including skin trauma or surgical wounds. Causes may include:
• Reduced collagen synthesis.
• Vasoconstriction and lack of oxygen to skin cells.
• Delays the growth of new blood vessels in the wound.
4. Psoriasis
Studies show that psoriasis tends to be more widespread and severe in smokers, especially if they also have metabolic syndrome. Pustular psoriasis of the palms/plants is much more common in smokers. This is a cell-mediated immune disease. Smoking is thought to increase the risk of developing psoriasis by affecting the immune system.
5. Hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa occurs more frequently in smokers. These abscesses occur in the armpits, under the breasts, and in the groin area. Like common acne, hair follicles become blocked, then become inflamed and form abscesses. Nicotine increases the production of a chemical called acetylcholine around the hair follicles, which promotes overgrowth of the upper part of the follicle and thus causes the blockage.
6. Smoking increases the risk of skin cancer
Comparing smokers and non-smokers, the risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin was found to be doubled.
7. Increased severity of viral infections
Including genital warts and virus-related cancers such as cervical, vulvar, and penile cancers.
Above are 7 harmful effects of cigarettes on your skin. So do you still want to smoke? Stop smoking now to protect your health as well as the health of those around you.
