Smoking and acne
Key points
- Smoking does have damaging effects on the skin over a number of years.
- But tobacco, while deteriorating the appearance of the skin over a period of time, in itself does not seem to cause acne.
- Chemicals absorbed from tobacco smoke can damage connective tissue that lies underneath the skin, which results in wrinkling.
- People who have smoked for a long time usually have 'old-looking skin'.
Smoking does have damaging effects on the skin over a number of years. Chemicals absorbed from tobacco smoke can damage connective tissue that lies underneath the skin, which results in wrinkling. People who have smoked for a long time usually have 'old-looking skin'.
But tobacco, while deteriorating the appearance of the skin over a period of time, in itself does not seem to cause acne. So, stopping smoking could be part of a general programme of overall skin improvement.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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