What it does to your skin and how to fix it
Smoking has a devastating effect on our skin, and the visible evidence of this aging can be shocking. In 1985, British physician Douglas Model identified the phenomenon of the “smoker’s face”: a face that ages faster due to smoking. But what exactly is a smoker’s face, what causes it, and is the damage reversible? We’re here to tell you more about how smoking ages the skin and what quitting smoking can do for your skin.
What is a Smoker's Face?
Douglas Model described the smoker's face using several features that often occur together in long-term smokers:
- Wrinkles and crow's feet around the eyes, cheeks and mouth.
- Sunken eyes and a sunken appearance due to loss of facial plumpness.
- Discoloration of the skin, such as a grayish, orange, or purple tint.
This 'smoker's face' is caused by the skin being affected by smoking in several ways.
Why does smoking cause faster skin aging?
Every puff of a cigarette carries toxins such as nicotine and carbon monoxide, which deeply affect your skin:
- Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which limits the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the skin. This makes it harder for the skin to repair itself.
- Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen supply through the blood, causing the skin to appear pale.
- Damage to elastin and collagen fibers leads to a loss of suppleness and elasticity, making wrinkles appear more quickly.
Smoking even affects sun protection: research shows that smokers are more likely to burn than non-smokers, probably because their skin is less able to repair itself.
Twin Studies: A Compelling Case
The strongest evidence for the effect of smoking on skin aging comes from twin studies, which compare twins where one smokes and the other does not. Researchers found that for every 10 years of smoking, a person looks an average of 2.5 years older than their nonsmoking twin. Over decades, that difference can be as much as 10 years older.
Quit smoking and improve your skin
Good news: quitting smoking can give your skin a new chance. After a few weeks you will often see a difference:
- A healthier colour and a fresh glow due to improved blood circulation.
- Smoother skin texture as collagen fibers gradually repair themselves.
We recommend taking a photo before you quit and about a month after quitting so you can see for yourself how your skin improves. This image helps many people with their motivation to continue quitting.
Professional help with quitting
Do you want to prevent premature skin aging due to smoking? Support from a professional increases the chance of long-term success by up to ten times. There are organizations such as Prostop that can help you with effective methods and guidance.
Take good care of your skin and treat yourself to a fresh, healthy glow.
If you have stopped smoking or want to stop, our skin therapist can give you advice for your skin. Contact us via our contact form.