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Ask Dr. H: Smoking ages skin; here's why
Question: It's not too hard to see that smoking causes skin to get wrinkled and age faster. But can you explain why?
Answer: There are two types of effects: Directly, many of the more than 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke are toxic to skin. Indirectly, chronic squinting of the eyes to keep out smoke, and pursing or puckering of the lips while holding a cigarette, both cause facial wrinkles.
Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide and many other oxidants that promote the formation of age-inducing, skin-toxic free-radicals. Nicotine is a stimulant that causes the blood vessels to constrict, reducing the supply of oxygen to the tissues of the skin. Smoking also depletes Vitamin C, which is important for collagen production in the skin. And it induces changes at the cellular level to interfere with the formation of fibroblasts - cells that form connective tissue in the skin.
All these biochemical changes occur as a result of the chemicals in cigarette smoke. These include toxic gases like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and acrolein. The smoke also contains acetone, ammonia, benzene, lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and, of course, tar.
Microscopic changes in the skin can be seen in smokers as young as 20. The good news: If one quits smoking (and protects against ultraviolet sun damage), this accelerated aging can stop and the skin can take on a healthier appearance as the body gradually purges itself.
Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to: Ask Dr. H, Box 767787, Atlanta, Ga. 30076. Because of the volume of mail, personal replies are not possible.
Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to: Ask Dr. H, Box 767787, Atlanta, Ga. 30076. Because of the volume of mail, personal replies are not possible.
