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Tobacco and the skin.
Andrei I Metelitsa1, Gilles J Lauzon
1Division of Dermatology and Cutaneous Sciences, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G3. andreim@ualberta.ca
Clinics in Dermatology
|July 13, 2010
Summary
Cigarette smoking harms skin health, affecting wound healing, aging, and various skin conditions. Dermatologists should advise patients to quit smoking to improve skin health.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Cigarette smoking is a widespread habit with known systemic health effects.
- The skin, the body's largest organ, is also significantly impacted by smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted effects of cigarette smoking on various skin conditions.
- To highlight the importance of smoking cessation for dermatological health.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies examining smoking's impact on skin.
- Compilation of evidence on specific dermatological conditions linked to smoking.
Main Results:
- Smoking impairs wound healing and accelerates skin aging and wrinkling.
- It exacerbates inflammatory skin diseases like psoriasis and hidradenitis suppurativa.
- Smoking is associated with skin cancers, acne, alopecia, lupus erythematosus, and oral lesions.
Conclusions:
- Discontinuing smoking is crucial for improving skin health and managing dermatological diseases.
- Dermatologists play a key role in counseling patients on smoking cessation.
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