How Bad Is Smoking For My Skin?
By now, we all know how terrible smoking is for our entire body as well as it can lead to cancer. Nonetheless, people still do it or “only when I drink.” In the treatment room, it's very obvious if a client is a smoker or not by the looks of their skin. I can even tell if a client is right/left-handed by the pattern of blackheads and wrinkles that is more prominent on one side of their face.
How Does Smoke Affect The Skin?
When tobacco is heated it releases free radicals that damage the DNA of skin cells. This results in collagen and elastin being broken down. It also constricts blood vessels which deplete the skin of much-needed oxygen, vitamins, and nutrients. When that puff of toxic smoke is exhaled it hits the skin on the face and can cause blackheads, particularly around the mouth/cheek areas. Over time this leads to accelerated aging, dehydration, dark circles, broken blood vessels, and an overall gray dull-looking complexion. Studies also indicate that smokers heal slower than non-smokers. So that means when you do get a pimple it can take longer to heal which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Lastly, puckering your mouth to take a drag also leads to wrinkles around the lips.
What About Cannabis Smoke?
As an advocate of cannabis and an occasional user myself, I wish I could say it’s not the same as cigarette smoke. Unfortunately, burning plant matter of any kind still negatively affects the skin as stated above. I know this is not what you (or I) want to hear! The good news is you can eat cannabis, ingest it in a tincture, rub it on or smoke it in a vaporizer for a less skin damaging effect.
