Smoking and Acne
Posted on 04. Feb, 2009 by admin in Acne Types
In many areas of the world, smokers have been unfairly treated as of late. In many countries, including the UK and United States, individuals are being outlawed from smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. Even by obeying the laws and going outside, smokers are still looked down upon.
Unfortunately, smokers have one more thing to worry about. In a recently published study in the UK Journal of Dermatology, acne outbreaks have been conclusively linked to regular tobacco smoking. Between non-smokers and smokers, this study revealed several unique differences between the black heads of the two parties.
In a separate study of 1,000 subjects (divided equally into 500 women and 500 men), 40% of the smoking population was affected with acne, while in the non-smoking population, only 10% were impacted.
Upon a deeper inspection of this study, every participant had at least one thing in common: they had all been smoking regularly since their teens. Moreover, the 40% of smokers who did have acne all had the same kind, known as “adult acne.”
As opposed to adult acne, the most commonly recognized form of acne is known as acne vulgaris, and is the kind associated with teens and young adults. This variety of acne is often more noticeable (and painful), but tends to clear up around the early-20s.
Adult acne is a form of the condition that differs from acne vulgaris in a few ways. In general, those affected by adult acne display symptoms somewhat similar to acne vulgaris, but the pimples are often less inflamed. Due to the reduced amount of inflammation, this acne is sometimes referred to as non-inflammatory acne or NI acne.
What else differentiates adult acne? Adult acne is typically located in places on the body where acne vulgaris does not appear. An example of a common site for adult acne is the lower face, particularly around the chin and cheeks. In addition, the acne can radiate down one’s neck, making routine shaving especially painful. However, adult acne does not stop there, and can also extend to parts of the body including the torso and groin.
How can smoker’s acne be treated? Due in part to outbreak locations, many dermatologists opt for antibiotics over topical creams. These antibiotics are not only easier to remember and take, but are faster than a standard cream.
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