Does Smoking Cause Wrinkles? How Smoking Ages Skin

It’s a well-known fact that smoking can be detrimental to your health. But, did you know that smoking is also a significant cause of premature aging?

Making the choice to stop smoking can benefit your skin in several ways. This article will discuss how smoking contributes to premature wrinkles and how quitting smoking can improve your skin health.

How Does Smoking Cause Wrinkles and Premature Aging?

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals that can compromise your skin. By damaging collagen and elastin, smoking can lead to sagging skin and pronounced wrinkles. [R]

Collagen and Elastin Damage

Many cigarette chemicals trigger molecular events that change or injure structures in the skin. Specifically, the chemicals in cigarettes can damage collagen and elastin. These proteins give the skin strength and elasticity while keeping it plump. [R]

Smoke Wrinkles and Smoker’s Cheeks From Cigarettes

Smoker’s cheeks and smoker’s face are terms commonly used to describe facial features that are common in smokers. In fact, in a prospective study, half of the cigarette smokers who had smoked for at least 10 years were identified (using specific criteria) by facial features alone. [R]

Another study published in PLOS Genetics examined 18,000 traits to identify individuals who may have been impacted by heavy smoking. The researchers found that heavy smokers have a higher chance of developing signs of premature aging, including wrinkles. [R]

Smokers face can include features such as:

• Deep creases and fine lines on the cheeks
• “Smokers wrinkles”, which are small vertical lines that run across the lips and the skin above the upper lip
• Prominent crow’s feet
• Sunken cheeks
• A leathery or rough appearance of the skin

It’s also worth noting that repeated lip pursing contributes to lines around the mouth. Smokers frequently purse their lips around cigarettes or e-cigarettes, which folds the skin around the lips. This can add premature wrinkles around the mouth over time.

How Does Nicotine Cause Wrinkles and Make You Look Older?

Nicotine is the main active ingredient in tobacco. Found in cigarettes, nicotine causes the body to release more adrenaline, which has a “feel good” effect. It’s both physically and emotionally addictive. [R]

Diminished Wound Healing and Blood Flow

Nicotine has several negative health effects that can sabotage your skin. It works as a vasoconstrictor, reducing oxygen flow to your skin and other tissues.

Along with reduced oxygen flow, nicotine diminishes the flow of vital nutrients to the skin. This inhibits the skin’s natural healing process and causes a decreased ability to repair wounds.

Nicotine’s effects as a vasoconstrictor speed up the skin aging process. This can lead to wrinkles and fine lines, even early in adulthood. [R]

Does Vaping Cause Wrinkles Like Smoking?

Vaping is often regarded as a safer alternative to cigarettes. This is because they’re thought to contain fewer chemicals than regular cigarettes.

However, this doesn’t mean that vaping is safe by any standard. E-cigarettes heat up nicotine, flavoring, and an array of other chemicals to form an aerosol that you inhale. [R]

Vaping Effects on Face and Skin Health

Whether you smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes, you’re still breathing in nicotine. So, your skin will still be subject to the consequences of slowed wound healing. [R]

Additionally, the nicotine in vaping liquids is dehydrating for the skin. People who vape may experience very dry skin and, as a result, premature wrinkles.

Quitting Smoking and Skin Complexion Improvement

To steer clear of premature aging and skin damage from smoking, there’s just one true solution: Quit smoking. It’s obviously easier said than done, but stopping smoking will not only reduce your risk for health complications like lung cancer and heart disease, but also help you retain skin elasticity and strength. It will also help you prevent worsening wrinkles, including crow’s feet and lines around the mouth.

Skin Improvement Before and After Quitting Smoking

After an individual quits smoking, the skin will visibly start to improve over time. Key differences that you may notice after quitting smoking include:

• Renewed elastin and collagen, which will give your skin a more youthful appearance overall
• Increased turnover of skin cells, which occurs as blood flow to the skin increases
• Improved skin tone and a brighter complexion
• Reduced risk of skin conditions including psoriasis, acne, and skin cancer [R]

Improving the appearance of your skin and reducing significant wrinkling are key motivators for many people aiming to quit smoking.

ALSO READ: Does Alcohol Cause Wrinkles

FAQ

Conclusion: Why Does Smoking Cause Wrinkles?

No matter how you look at it, smoking is a liability to your health, including your skin. Smoking is known to contribute to premature wrinkles, sagging skin, and uneven skin complexion. It also leads to a greater risk of skin conditions, like psoriasis.

Thankfully, your skin can bounce back soon after your ditch smoking for good. As the saying goes, better late than never! So, gather support and utilize the range of resources available to help you stop smoking – your skin will thank you!