If you currently smoke and notice that your skin is suffering, be sure to talk to your doctor about ways you can manage your symptoms as well as resources to quit smoking. In many cases, your skin may begin to heal itself once you quit. These wrinkles are usually the most noticeable on your face—between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and around the mouth and lips. Smoking can also cause sagging skin, particularly under the eyes and around the jawline. Smoking also causes premature aging because it narrows the blood vessels (limiting the amount of oxygen your skin gets), increases the production of free radicals, and lowers levels of vitamin A in the skin. You may also develop vertical wrinkles around the mouth that come from pursing your lips around a cigarette. Research shows that people with tar-stained fingers from smoking are more likely to have smoking-related illnesses. Even minor cuts and scrapes might take longer to heal properly when you smoke cigarettes. If you smoke, you might be more likely to develop scarring from these minor injuries as well. Smoking is a risk factor for developing psoriasis. One study found that the more often people smoked, the higher their risk was for developing psoriasis. The link between psoriasis and smoking may be the nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine affects the immune system, skin inflammation, and skin cell growth, all of which can contribute to the development of psoriasis. People who smoke are also more prone to developing palmoplantar pustulosis, a condition in which painful blisters form on the hands and feet. Like psoriasis, it is a recurrent inflammatory disorder. Researchers find that smoking puts you at a much higher risk for a type of vasculitis called Buerger’s disease. Buerger’s disease symptoms may include:
Pale, red, or bluish fingers or toesPainful sores on the fingers or toesTissue damage or gangrene (tissue decay)
You may also experience cold hands or feet and/or pain in the hands, feet, ankles, or legs. Unfortunately, there is no cure for Buerger’s disease, but it may be managed with medication or surgery. Palmar telangiectasia specifically occurs on the palms of the hand, and it has been associated with smoking. Since the nicotine in tobacco constricts blood vessels, smoking can lead to this condition. One study found that out of 30 people who currently smoked, half of them had palmar telangiectasia; out of 16 people who used to smoke, 31.2% had the condition. People exposed to secondhand smoke also face a greater risk of developing hand eczema. One study found that children exposed to secondhand smoke had a greater risk of developing atopic skin conditions like eczema as adolescents. Squamous cell carcinoma might look like rough or scaly patches, raised lumps, open sores, or wart-like growths on your skin. The growths may be brown in dark skin tones or red in light skin tones. Let your doctor know if you notice these or any other irregular textures on your skin. Tobacco use is the most common risk factor for oral squamous cell carcinoma, a type of oral cancer. Be sure to reach out to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms, which could indicate oral cancer:
A sore or lump on the lip or mouthPain in the mouthWhite or red patch on the gums, tongue, tonsil, or lining of the mouthSore throatTrouble swallowingTrouble chewingDifficulty moving the jaw or tongueNumbness of the mouthLoose teeth or pain around the teethVoice changesA lump or mass in the neck or throatWeight lossEar pain
Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease)Vascular skin conditions (such as rosacea)Oral conditions (such as cold sores)
By quitting, you’ll reduce the inflammation of blood vessels that leads to many smoking-related skin conditions. Your circulation and heart rate will improve, as will the functioning of your heart and lungs. The return of normal blood flow will bring oxygen and nutrients to skin cells and your skin can begin to look healthier. Overall, your body will start to heal itself. Your ability to heal from wounds will improve, too. People with acne inversa who smoke generally have more affected areas of the body than people with the condition who don’t smoke. Similar findings have been reported for people with psoriasis and eczema as well. Doctors urge people with Buerger’s disease to quit smoking to improve symptoms and curb the progression of the condition. Dermatologists are encouraged to advise their patients to quit smoking, regardless of whether they have a skin condition or not, to avoid any potential damage that smoking can do to the skin.
Mental Health Considerations
People with skin conditions may experience low self-esteem, self-consciousness, anxiety, and/or depression, especially when the symptoms of their condition increase. Your doctor can refer you to a mental health professional who can help you cope. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to have a positive effect on people with skin conditions like psoriasis. You may be able to improve your quality of life with this emotion-based therapy, addressing the underlying feelings you have about your condition to develop a more positive outlook.
A Word From Verywell
It may take some time, but the benefits to your health and well-being are worth the effort it takes to quit smoking. If you’re having trouble, remember there are many resources that can help. Try reaching out to a support group near you or download a quit smoking app on your phone. Every day that you go without smoking is another day your skin has a chance to repair itself.
