The Link Between Smoking and Acne – Does Smoking Cause Acne?

Approximately 1 out of every 5 people are cigarette smokers, and smoking claims the lives of over 3 million people each year. But there’s no need to repeat statistics that we’ve all heard before; we all know that smoking is bad for you. But how bad is it for your skin? Does smoking cause acne?

In this article we’ll examine a possible connection between cigarette smoking and acne, and what we find out just may surprise you!

In 2006 the Journal of Investigative Dermatology published the results of a massive 20 year study of over 27,000 participants which was aimed at determining whether or not there was a connection between smoking and the prevalence of acne.

The results? There is a connection, but…it’s not what you might think!

The study actually found that severe acne vulgaris was less common among smokers than among non-smokers. Additionally, the more a person smokes, the less likely they were to have severe acne.

The Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found similar results in a smaller study published in 2007, with the exception that they were only able to note a statistical difference for females who smoked, and none for males.

Both of these more recent studies, however, have opposite findings of some older studies, such as one published in 2001 by the British Journal of Dermatology which found that smokers tended to have more acne than non-smokers. There have also been studies which found no correlation either way.

At this point is seems that all science has to say about the link between smoking and acne is: There may be a link, but we’re not completely sure yet.

Regardless of whether smoking causes or even helps acne, it certainly does play a role in the development of other adverse skin conditions.

Most notably is skin cancer, but smoking also drastically increases the development of wrinkles and makes your skin look far older than it is.

Smoking increases instances of inflammatory reactions by the skin, which can make existing acne lesions more red and prominent. Also, smoking reduces the skin’s ability to heal, which will cause acne blemishes to remain on the skin for longer than they would otherwise.

One thing that many smokers will claim is that smoking helps to reduce stress. Whether or not this is actually true or not is a topic of debate, but many smokers will swear that it lowers their stress levels.

Since stress is a known acne trigger for some people, this may be noteworthy. It may be possible to achieve the stress reduction of cigarettes without any of the harmful side effects through the use of water-based electronic cigarettes, which actually produce no smoke but still reproduce the feeling of smoking a cigarette.

In conclusion, it’s impossible to say definitively whether or not there is a link between smoking and acne, however the scientific research on the subject so far seems to suggest that there is.

Regardless of whether or not smoking causes acne, it is certainly bad for your skin and your overall health, so it’s certainly better to not smoke than to smoke.

Reader Question: Acne Regimen Effectiveness

For the past 4 days, I’ve begun a new face cleaning regimen using a gel cleanser with 4% glycolic acid, a toner with 8% glycolic acid, my prescribed Dalacin topical treatment, and finished off with a clarifying lotion containing 5% sodium ascorbyl phosphate and 2% niacinamide. I have also been taking Cyesta-35 birth control for the past two weeks, and Minocin for almost two months. This image resembles my acne the most – http://dermnetnz.org/acne/img/s/acne6-s.jpg

How soon can I expect to see significant results? Your feedback is very much appreciated.

- Kathleen

Thanks for the question, Kathleen.

First of all, it’s impossible for me (or anyone) to reliably predict when a regimen is going to show results, or if it is going to work for you at all.

With that being said, I generally recommend that when someone gets on a new routine, they stick with it for at least 1-2 months. That means strictly, with no items added or removed. The only exception would be if you start experiencing some sort of allergic reaction, and then it’s obviously wise to make a change.

But otherwise, it can take that long for results to start showing, and sometimes longer. There are a couple of reasons for this. First, acne lesions typically form under the skin 2-4 weeks before you actually see them, so a medication that is stopping new acne from forming is going to take that long to show real results. The other thing you’ll be struggling with is that your skin will have to take time to get used to the new products. You’re using glycolic acid, as well as a product with benzoyl peroxide. While both of these are great at treating acne, the skin can take some time to get used to them and may appear red and irritated for some time. As long as you are moisturizing this redness will eventually go away.

This is really the best answer I can give, and I hope it helps you.

Pulsed Dye Laser Treatment For Acne

Acne is a very common skin disease that is caused by excessive production of sebaceous oil. Although anyone can be affected by acne, it typically affects those in their teenage years and early 20s. Although acne can appear in many different forms, severe acne will often result in permanent scarring. To reduce acne scarring and help heal acne, many dermatologists are using the technology of pulsed dye lasers.

Pulsed dye lasers emit concentrated high-energy beams of light, which target the skin’s blood vessels. As the light penetrates the skin, it converts into heat resulting in blood vessels being destroyed, without damaging healthy skin and tissue. Because the laser uses a specific light that is only absorbed by blood vessels, it is very effective at preventing healthy skin from being harmed. Pulsed dye lasers are adjustable to control the intensity of the light for optimal results.

The results of having pulsed dye laser therapy on acne are the reduction of visible acne and less redness of acne scars. Acne scars result when capillaries break during the healing process, leaving the appearance of redness. During a pulsed dye laser session, the broken capillaries are heated, causing them to coagulate and be absorbed by the body. This removes the redness caused by acne scarring. Pulsed dye laser therapy also reduces the production of sebaceous oil and kills bacteria that cause acne. It additionally helps to remove dead skin cells from the outer surface skin layer. As the dead skin cells are removed, collagen production is stimulated, resulting in healthy new outer skin.

During a treatment with pulsed dye lasers, a device that resembles a wand is moved over the surface of the skin. The wand emits a wide range of pulsed light, treating large acne areas quickly. The procedure requires no anesthesia and normally only takes from 20 minutes to an hour to perform. Discomfort is kept to a minimum as the laser wand emits a cold spray directly before the pulsed light, reducing the sensation of pain. Some patients do experience a slight stinging or pinching sensation during treatments. For maximum results, several treatments are usually required although this depends on the severity of the acne and the scars. Patients will be required to wear dark glasses during a treatment to reduce the risk of damage to the eyes from the laser light.

Patients who decide to have pulsed dye laser therapy will be instructed to apply a sunscreen to their skin each day for at least a month prior to their first treatment. This is to prevent any tanning from occurring, as these treatments are ineffective on tanned skin. Furthermore, these treatments when used on tanned skin could result in the skin becoming permanently damaged.

Common side effects of pulsed dye laser treatments include temporary redness of skin, minor bruising and perhaps a slight amount of swelling. These side effects usually last for about 1 to 2 weeks following treatment. No scabs or scars occur from these treatments. Treatments do not require any downtime by the patient and they may return to their normal activities immediately. Following treatments, patients should use a high SPF sunscreen daily and avoid the sun as much as possible. Pulsed dye laser treatments are considered one of the safest treatments available as they are very gentle on the skin and provide exact precision in targeting only damaged blood vessels.

Studies that have been completed on pulsed dye laser treatments have resulted in conflicting reports, according to the American Association of Dermatology. One such study that took place in the United Kingdom consisted of 41 patients, all having acne. Of the 41 participants, 51 percent experienced a reduction in acne lesions. Another study that took place in the United States consisted of 40 participants who had acne. The study was done using the pulsed dye laser treatment on only one side of the participant’s face. Treatments were continued for 12 weeks. Following treatment, researchers found no improvement in the treated side when compared to the untreated side. A third study was performed by the Yale University School of Medicine. The study consisted of 14 participants with mild to moderately severe acne and acne scars. This study found that after using one treatment that combined pulsed dye laser treatments with the topical medication, 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), treatments were effective on all participants with a visible reduction in acne as well as scarring. The conclusion of this study reported that patients with inflammatory facial acne who were treated a single time using pulsed dye laser therapy, experienced an improvement, which was apparent 12 weeks following the treatment. No serious side effects were reported. Because this form of acne treatment is new, it is still regarded as an experimental treatment for acne.

The typically cost of a pulse dye laser therapy session that consist of treating one small area cost about $100 according to a California dermatologist. To treat a larger area such as the face, neck and the chest, the cost can be thousands of dollars.

According to the latest research reports on pulsed dye laser treatments for acne, treatments are effective when combined with ALA topical medication. These treatments have shown to be effective at reducing scarring that resulted from acne. Additionally, the John Hopkins Cosmetic Centers deems pulsed dye laser therapy as the best treatment available today for the treatment of acne scars.

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Commonly Asked Questions About Cystic Acne

Cystic acne is one of the most severe forms of acne that a person can get, and people who are struggling with cystic acne often have a lot of questions about what it is, what causes it, and how it can be treated.

That’s why we’ve put together this page with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about cystic acne.

If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please feel free to use our contact form to ask us directly for the answer!

Cystic acne, sometimes referred to as nodulocystic acne, is a severe form of acne vulgaris which is characterized by the appearance of large, inflamed cysts and nodules.

A nodule is a hard lump under the skin, much like a papule only greater in size. Cysts, on the other hand, are softer and filled with fluid. Almost like a very large pustule.

While there are no statistics that I can find on the prevalence of cystic acne, it is one of the less common forms of acne vulgaris. The occurrence of less severe acne lesions, such as papules, pustules, and comedones, is far more common than the occurrence of cysts and nodules.

It is known that cystic acne is more common amongst those of latino backgrounds than it is for those who are caucasian.

No, not at all! No form of acne is contagious, and you cannot “catch” acne either by being around a person with acne, nor by skin-to-skin contact.

There are many possible causes of cystic acne, and hormones are one of them.

Hormonal cystic acne is more common among women than men, although persons of either gender can have it. It should be noted that hormonal acne often responds differently to treatment than does acne with other causes.

Yes, there does appear to be a genetic or hereditary component to cystic acne. That is to say, it tends to run in families and if one or both of your parents had cystic acne at some point during their lives, you are more likely to get it yourself.

I wouldn’t say that any form of acne is curable, but they are all treatable!

Speak with a dermatologist if you have cystic acne to discuss professional treatment options. While mild-to-moderate forms of acne are easily enough treated with over-the-counter products, severe cystic acne often requires stronger medications, such as those available only through prescription such as isotretinoin.

Large, inflamed acne cysts and nodules can be very painful, and it often depends on where they are located.

Yes, absolutely! Cystic acne is one of the forms of acne which has the highest chance of leaving permanent scars. For this reason, it’s important to never pick, pop, or squeeze cystic acne lesions, and speak with a dermatologist to get it treated as quickly as possible.

While cystic acne and staph infections are definitely not the same thing, some people do report the onset of cystic acne after having a staph infection.

Stress can be an acne trigger for some people, and if you are prone to developing cystic acne then it can cause breakouts or make existing breakouts worse.

Acne cysts and nodules are almost always inflammatory.

Although it is rare, certain food allergies have been reported to trigger cystic acne outbreaks in some people. Still, if you have cystic acne it is much more likely that it has another cause, such as overactive sebaceous glands, rather than an allergy.

Makeup can cause a form of acne known as acne cosmetica, which is rarely cystic or nodular. Acne cosmetica is more often characterized by the appearance of comedones such as blackheads and whiteheads.

Dairy products have been known to trigger cystic acne in some people. Click here to read more about the connection between cystic acne and dairy.

A surge in estrogen hormones can be a cystic acne trigger, and your hormone levels are often altered when you use certain forms of birth control. For this reason, birth control can cause cystic acne for some people.

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6 Simple Tips to Clear Up Back Acne for Good!

Do you dread every situation where you know you’re going to have to take off your shirt in front of others? Back acne is pretty embarrassing and worst of all, it’s kind of an unspoken thing. You feel subconscious around the pool or in the bedroom with another person because you can practically feel their eyes scanning over every body blemish and acne bump.

There is hope though! The following 6 strategies will clear up back acne in a matter of days IF executed correctly. Ready to start flaunting your physique again? Great! Let’s get started with tip number one…

1. Switch to an Anti-Bacterial Soap – Antibacterial soaps like Dial can dry out your skin. However, sometimes this can be just what it takes to clear up a bad case of back acne – particularly if your bacne is caused by oily clogs. See, when your skin is oily, bacteria has a greater attraction to it.

The bacteria (which feeds on the oil) clogs the pores and this is what gives birth to those unsightly back pimples. The solution? Lesson the oil and decrease the clogs. Just be sure not to over do it. Antibacterial soap can cause skin dryness if used in excess. You’ll need to find a happy medium. That brings us to our next tip…

2. Try using a Lufa Sponge – a Lufa works well if dry, irritating skin is what’s spawning multiple back zits. You can buy a natural Lufa (that’s what I recommend) on a long wooden handle to reach the parts of your back that a normal exfoliater would miss.

By cleaning off the dry, dead skin cells, you’ll be opening your pores up to more oxygen and oxygen is acne’s worst enemy. The result? You’ll have breathable, clear skin that won’t act as a breeding ground for gross bacne patches.

3. Install a water softener – This is definitely one of the pricier solutions but I can testify that it works well. If you’ve got hard water in your house, meaning it has a lot of minerals and calcium deposits in it, you’re not getting completely clean in the shower. Hard water will leave you with an invisible film on your skin which makes pores less breathable and in turn a pimple paradise.

The first step is getting your water tested by a local plumber to see if it is in fact hard. After that you can decide where to go from there. Water softeners do more than just help your skin with acne. You’ll have cleaner hair, a dandruff free scalp, feel overall cleaner after the shower AND they’re better for the lifetime health of your plumbing pipes.

4. Keep the Sweat Off Your Back – If you’re a gym rat, you may want to consider changing or showering immediately after working out. Sweat is like a magnet for bacteria (which clogs pores) and if you’re not changing your shirt right away, you’ll restrict air to your pores as well. This is like a one-two punch for causing acne.

Make sure you change clothes or shower within the first 10 minutes after your workout is over.

5. Salicylic Acid will Help – Try buying an astringent that contains salicylic Acid and apply a thin layer to your back at night with either cotton balls, makeup cotton pads, or even just your hands. I used to use Oxy pads for sensitive skin and apply them directly to my back before going to bed.

It’s an easy way to clear the bacteria off your skin and may way for health oxygen to clear out your pores.

6. Water is the Way – It may sound like simple advice but water really does go a long way. Water will clear your skin up all over – including bad bacne. That’s because it flushes out toxins, prevents excessive body sweating and dilutes oil from overwhelming pores. Be sure to drink 6 – 8 glasses of water a day for the full effect. Yes, you’ll be peeing a lot but isn’t that beautiful clear skin worth it?

Author Bio:

Jason Ellis is an up and coming web author who has been showing readers for years natural solutions to skincare. His strongest expertise deals with controlling a condition known hyperhidrosis(chronic excessive sweating). For years, Jason has researched proven ways to stop sweaty palms, treat an excessive sweating scalp and even find the best deodorant for excessive sweating.