Are Cigarettes Causing Your Acne?
Researchers at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome, Italy have discovered another compelling reason to quit smoking cigarettes: it may cause acne.
According to the study completed by Dr. Bruno Capitanio, 42% of smokers suffered from acne compared to just 10% of non-smokers. And while the majority of adult acne sufferers experienced inflammatory acne, cigarette smokers were more likely to develop a specific form of non-inflammatory acne consisting of many blocked pores and blackheads.
Ninety one percent of smokers who suffered from acne had the non-inflammatory type, leading researchers to dub this form of acne "smoker's acne." While many doctors already associate cigarette smoking with premature aging of the skin, this study indicates smoking may also be a trigger for acne development.
Interestingly, the number of cigarettes smoked did not seem to influence the severity of acne. But the women who had experienced acne as teens were more likely to be effected by smoker's acne during adulthood.
The findings will be published in an upcoming volume of the British Journal of Dermatology.
Non-inflamed acne blackheads photo courtesy of ADAM.
I agree with this study.I developed pretty bad acne at age 27! For 5 years I battled it,paying a small fortune in acne meds.Then I quit smoking a year ago and my acne cleared up! My skin has never looked better.
They should put that warning on the side of the pack.