Smoking & Wrinkles
The U.S. government requires certain warnings on cigarette packaging. The warnings, though, do not mention all of the health-related impacts of smoking. While damage to the heart and lungs is life-threatening, many individuals also worry about the damage smoking might cause to their skin. Their fears are warranted. Cigarette smoke contains many different toxins that damage skin cells in the body and lead to premature wrinkling.
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The Facts
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A March 2007 Reuters report states that smoking damages skin throughout the body and causes as much damage as nearly any other exposure other than prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. According to a study published in the Archives of Dermatology, a study led by Dr. Yolanda Helfrich at the University of Michigan found that smokers have more wrinkling than nonsmokers. Smokers also begin to see wrinkles around the mouth and eyes when they hit their 30s.
Significance
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According to Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., a dermatologist with the Mayo Clinic, smoking accelerates the normal aging process of skin in individuals who have smoked for as little as 10 years. The damage is irreversible, too. Gibson states that smoking causes wrinkling not only around the face but in other parts of the body.
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Effects
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Smoking cigarettes attacks healthy skin in multiple ways. Tobacco smoke introduces free radicals to the body. These cells are unstable. They can be transformed into harmful molecules, including cancerous cells. When the free radicals interact with healthy cells in the body, they restrict blood flow through veins and arteries. Capillaries, tiny veins in skin, transport oxygen and nutrients, including essential oils, to keep skin hydrated and healthy. The free radicals block the flow of blood, oxygen and nutrients through the capillaries, and the result is damaged skin that becomes dry and lacks the nutrients needed for a healthy appearance.
Free radicals also attack the collagen, which provides skin's structure and contributes to its elasticity. Over time, the reduced supply of collagen causes skin to contract and wrinkle. Also, tobacco smoke blocks the body's absorption of vitamins A and C, which provide skin protection and flush out harmful substances.
Features
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In addition to the harm that free radicals pose to healthy skin, smoking can cause wrinkling around the eyes and mouth from the continual puckering that takes place during smoking. Smokers often purse their lips and squint while smoking, and the prolonged facial shaping has been shown to cause deep wrinkles called "smoker's face" around the eyes and mouth.
Identification
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Signs that smoking is damaging skin and increasing the likelihood of premature wrinkling include discolored skin, an overall dull appearance and general lack of skin glow. Individuals with light skin often have a grayish tone to their skin, described by some as "ashy." Wrinkles around the mouth and eyes are also some of the effects of smoking.
Prevention
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According to Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D., a dermatologist with the Mayo Clinic, skin damage from smoking is irreversible. The only way to ensure smoking-related wrinkling does not occur is to avoid smoking. If you are already smoking, quitting can significantly reduce the chances of additional skin damage and wrinkling. You can't erase the wrinkles, but you can partially restore your skin's healthy appearance by quitting smoking.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Sir Mildred Pierce/Flickr.com
