We all know that smoking causes cancer and other respiratory diseases. You might have seen many gruesome images of mouth cancer on cigarette packs. But did you know smoking can cause severe skin problems as well? Well, it can cause premature aging, fine lines, and wrinkles that make you look older than you are.

Interestingly, cigarette smoke is more harmful to your skin than the sun's UV rays. The toxins in tobacco smoke produce free radicals that lead to oxidative stress, which cuts down the skin's oxygen supply. If you're a smoker and don't know its consequences, stick to the article to learn the effect of tobacco on your skin.

10 Harmful Effects of Tobacco on Your Skin

How does smoking affect your skin? Let's find out.

Skin Aging

The top on the list effect of smoking is premature aging of your skin. It means you start looking like you are in your 40s while still being in your 30s. The toxins in the tobacco affect the collagen and elastin in the skin. They are responsible for keeping the skin firm and supple. Smoke disrupts collagen formation by producing oxidative stress. Moreover, the vasoconstriction of blood vessels strips your skin of adequate blood supply and nutrients, which leads to premature skin aging.

Skin Pigmentation

Smoking induces the formation of melanocytes, which cause pigmentation of the skin. The age spots or dark spots in smokers are the consequences of smoking. Does smoking affect skin color? Yes, it does. Smokers usually have a kind of greyish or bluish skin due to the inadequate blood flow caused by restricted blood vessels. The oxidative stress caused by free radicals can also cause age-related pigmentation in chain smokers.

Saggy Skin

Skin sagging is one of the prominent facial signs of smoking. Collagen and transepidermal water are the main components of elastic fibers, which maintain elasticity and hold the skin together. The water loss in the epidermis and degeneration of collagen by tobacco smoking causes hanging or saggy skin. Moreover, smokers have less elasticity in their skin as compared to non-smokers.

Delayed Wound Healing

Do you ever wonder why smokers experience delayed wound healing? It is because of the inadequate blood supply to the wound due to vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels). Moreover, smoking slows down the immune system and the body's natural healing power. Let alone healing, there is a greater risk that wound condition might go from worse to worst. So, watch out for cuts and bruises if you are a smoker!

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is probably the worst of all skin problems caused by smoking. Smoking can cause squamous cell carcinoma, an abnormal cell growth in the upper layer of the skin. Skin cancer does not depend on smoking frequency. You might get it smoking ten cigarettes in your life, or you might not get it even after smoking 10,000 cigarettes. Smoking weakens the immune systems, resulting in cancerous cells going undetected.

Psoriasis

You might have seen rash from smoking cigarettes in smoker, that is psoriasis. It is a condition where a smoker has red, scaly patches on his skin. Psoriasis is an auto-immune disease triggered by smoking. Nicotine binds with the skin cells called keratinocytes. It results in the increased cell division and turnover of these cells. Psoriasis is more common in smokers than non-smokers.

Eczema

Both the smokers and passive smokers are vulnerable to a skin condition called eczema. It forms relatively tiny dark patches on the skin that cause itchiness and irritation. Interestingly, eczema is common in people who are exposed to secondhand smoke (when someone breathes in smoke, which a smoker breathes out).

Acne Inversa

It is a common disease in chain smokers. Usually, it is characterized by small painful pustules on the skin, especially in the armpits and groin area. Smoking is the leading cause of acne inverse in most people. Quitting smoking habits can help to reduce the possibility of developing this condition.

Vasculitis

Vasculitis refers to the narrowing of blood vessels in smokers. It deprives the skin of adequate blood supply and nutrients to stay healthier. The symptoms of vasculitis include reddish fingers or toes, sores on toes, and gangrene (tissue decay). Unfortunately, there is no remedy for vasculitis. However, surgery or medications can help reduce the severity of this condition.

Palmar Telangiectasia

It is commonly referred to as ''Spider Veins,'' in which capillaries dilate because of vasoconstriction of veins. It causes permanent purple patches in the skin epidermis. The primary cause of Palmar Telangiectasia is the nicotine in cigarette smoke.

How can you reverse the effects of smoking on the skin?

Before we find out how you can reverse the effects of smoking on your skin, it is necessary to understand that most skin conditions will only go away if you quit smoking. Smoking is terrible for your skin as well as your health. Here are the lifestyle changes that can help mitigate the harmful effects of smoking on your skin after you quit it for good.

• Free Radicals in the toxins of tobacco smoke cause oxidative stress, which suffocates your skin cells. You can only fight free radicals by including antioxidants in your diet. You can get these life savers from broccoli, spinach, citrus fruits, carrots, and mangoes.
• Studies have shown that tomatoes and apples reverse the menacing effect of smoking on the lungs.
• Drinking carrot juice and eating berries helps to remove tobacco toxins from your body.
• Pomegranate juice can help improve your skin's blood supply. It helps to form collagen and elastin.
• Drinking plenty of water can help to mitigate the dehydrating effect of nicotine.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that smoking accelerates skin aging by causing wrinkles, sagging, and whatnot. Thousands of toxins in the smoke can cause irreversible skin problems. However, quitting smoking for good can help you prevent further damage to your skin. I hope this information is enough for you to understand the menacing effect of tobacco on your skin.