Cigarette smoke contains toxins that affect the quality of your skin, leading to lines, wrinkles, premature aging, and potentially even worse skin conditions.

More than 7,000 toxic chemicals are present in cigarette smoke. Among the many side effects, these carcinogenic ingredients can damage the cells of your skin and lead to signs of premature aging, including deeper wrinkles on the face, lines between the eyebrows, crow’s feet, and lines around the lips, and mouth. Nasolabial folds, the area of the skin that extends from the bottom of the nose to the edges of the mouth, have been found to be deeper among people who smoke as well.

In addition to lines and wrinkles, smokers tend to have less elastin and fewer collagen fibers in the skin than those who don’t smoke. This causes the skin to become harder and less elastic, losing its ability to bounce back when moved or stretched. 

Further, because smoking narrows blood vessels, the amount of oxygen reaching the skin is reduced. If all that isn’t enough to convince you to break the habit, there’s more bad news. Smoking increases the production of free radicals,  unstable atoms that can damage cell proteins and DNA by altering their chemical structure.

Other skin-related concerns caused by smoking include:

• Yellowing of the fingers and nails
• Baggy skin under the eyes
• Sagging skin at the jawline
• Uneven skin pigmentation
• Dark spots caused by increased melanin levels
• Wrinkles on the Hands

Smoking doesn’t only affect the appearance of your skin—it can damage your skin in other ways, too. Cigarette smoking decreases blood flow which increases the risk of skin infection. And because the skin is not able to heal properly, even cuts and scrapes can lead to scarring. 

To make matters literally worse, if you have an existing skin condition, smoking could exacerbate the symptoms and may worsen the following conditions:

• Hidradenitis suppurativa (small, painful lumps on the skin)
• Cold sores 
• Palmoplantar pustulosis (inflammatory disorder)
• Psoriasis  
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease)
• Vascular skin conditions (such as rosacea)
• Atopic dermatitis (the most common form of eczema) 

In fact, studies have shown that even second-hand smoke can have a negative impact on the skin.  This can be particularly harmful to the delicate developing skin of babies and young children.

Cigarette smoke contains carcinogens, which increases your risk of developing many types of cancer, including squamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma might look like rough or scaly red patches, raised lumps, open sores, or wart-like growths on your skin.

Electronic Cigarettes vs. Traditional Smoking

We all know that traditional cigarettes are terrible for our health. But what about e-cigarettes? Does vaping cause fewer wrinkles than cigarettes? Though e-cigarettes don’t contain tobacco and many of the cancer-causing chemicals found in cigarettes, they do contain nicotine which causes premature aging and wrinkles.

The good news is that many experts agree that electronic cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes send nicotine to your body by heating it up and delivering it to you in the form of inhalable vapor instead of burning toxin-filled tobacco, the cause of most of the damage caused by cigarettes. You also avoid the thousands of chemicals found in traditional cigarettes.  

However, the chemicals and heat aren’t the main contributors to wrinkles and premature aging when you smoke. Our skin’s real enemy is nicotine. And electronic cigarettes aren’t free of that. Just like in traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine that constricts the blood vessels, reducing blood flow to your skin. When your blood flow is reduced, your skin doesn’t get all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Fewer nutrients mean more wrinkles. And not just more facial wrinkles, but more wrinkles all over your body.

Nicotine has also been found to delay wound healing and accelerate general skin aging. The facial movements made when vaping can also lead to wrinkles on your face.

Beyond wrinkles and premature aging, electronic cigarettes have been found to contain other chemicals that could cause cancer. In fact, formaldehyde,  a known carcinogen,  from e-cigarettes could be 15 times higher than from smoking cigarettes. There is also increasing evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes may cause wrinkles, premature aging, and serious health issues. 

So, when it comes down to it, the best thing you can do is to stop smoking altogether.

What Happens When You Kick the Habit?

From premature wrinkles to discolouration, smoking can impact your appearance. But, don’t despair. Despite the effects smoking has on your skin, quitting can help you recover. 

Here are just a few benefits you’ll notice once you’ve stamped out the last butt:

Slowing of the Ageing Process

While wrinkles that have developed may not disappear entirely, you will see an improvement in bad skin after quitting smoking after a short amount of time. In fact, your skin will begin to improve after a matter of days as collagen and elastin renew themselves.  

Increased Cell Turnover

As your skin begins to repair itself, skin cell turnover will increase. This will help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve your skin’s ability to heal wounds, including acne scars.

Reduced Discolouration 

Increased blood flow will also make you appear brighter with a healthy glow. You may also see a reduction in discoloration.

Prevent further damage

Finally, quitting smoking improves your skin by reducing the chances of developing serious skin conditions like cancer and preventing further damage.

For many people, one of the biggest motivators for quitting is improving the way they look. Beyond skin improvement, your health will also enjoy benefits within just 20 minutes of that final cigarette.

If you quit today, the damage stops today, and slowly, your skin and body can begin to repair themselves. But not all damage will go away.  

The good news is, your youthful looks don’t have to go up in smoke forever. There are more options available every day for people who have quit and want to improve the appearance of their skin. But, the keyword is QUIT. It makes no sense to treat wrinkles caused by smoking until you break the habit. There are many anti-ageing treatments that can help improve skin damage from the effects of smoking.

• Muscle Relaxant Injections
• Dermal Fillers
• Laser Genesis
• Chemical Peels
• Dermabrasion

If you’re ready to break the habit and erase the effects that smoking has left behind, call Specialist Skin Solutions @(02) 4934 1500 today to book an appointment. We’re dedicated to helping each one of our clients feel their best by bringing out their natural beauty and loving the skin they’re in. We look forward to speaking with you!

At Specialist Skin Solutions, we believe in transparency and education, first and foremost, providing every client with information, explanations, and treatment options before performing any procedure. 

Offering a thorough consultation prior to treatment, we’ll discuss the areas of concern and the range of treatment options suggested to produce optimal results. The amount and type of product, as well as our pricing structure, will also be discussed during the consultation process so there are no surprises.

The post Up in Smoke: How to Erase Lines and Wrinkles Caused by Smoking appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.

Acne breakouts are frustrating enough when you’re young, but adult acne and the scars it leaves behind can last long after the teenage years have passed. And these marks don’t just look unattractive, the damage can also be unseen. 

The psychological effects that severe acne sufferers face while in active breakout mode can be compounded exponentially when the resulting scars act as daily reminders of the anguish, embarrassment, and isolation that a face full of pimples can cause.

The good news is that acne scars can finally be reduced or even erased with the help of some of the latest medical skincare technologies.

What causes acne scars?

We’re all guilty of picking at our zits or popping pimples—and the red, oozy, “made-it-worse visual outcome is almost always a reminder of why it’s best to resist the urge.

But, even when you do keep your hands off your face, sometimes a scar will still be left behind. While acne often makes its presence known above the skin, the reason it leaves scarring behind has more to do with what’s happening underneath the skin.

Whether there’s scarring and how exactly it presents depends on your skin type and the extent of the damage. Scars are formed when a breakout penetrates the skin deeply,  resulting in trauma to the skin tissue.  

Before treating acne scars, it’s important to know what type they are because every type responds differently to treatment, and some treatments are better for particular types than others.

Types of Acne Scars

• Discolouration/Hyperpigmentation: This type of scar is usually flat and happens when the skin remains darker after a blemish has healed. The purple, red, or brown marks can fade over a few months on their own and are more easily erased by serums and less-invasive treatments. 
• Atrophic/depressed/indentation scars:  A depressed scar that sits below the surrounding skin, an atrophic scar is formed when not enough collagen is made while the wound is healing, leaving an indentation in the skin. These scars are more challenging, though not impossible, to erase.

Three types of atrophic scars 

Boxcar

Wide, U-shaped scars with sharp edges, boxcar scars can be shallow or deep. The shallower they are, the better they respond to skin resurfacing treatments. 

Ice pick

Narrow, V-shaped scars that can go deep into the skin, ice pick scars. Similar to a chickenpox scar, these scars can look like small round or oval holes. Because they can extend far under the surface of the skin, ice-pick scars can be the most difficult scars to treat. 

Rolling

Wide depressions with rounded edges, rolling scars have an irregular, rolling appearance.

Hypertrophic or raised acne scars

Most common with chest and back acne, hypertrophic scars stand above the surface of the surrounding skin and are caused by too much collagen during healing.

Treatment for Acne Scars

Before treating acne scars, it’s important for patients to be seen by a dermatologist or a healthcare professional who will help them determine the type of scars, the best treatment method(s) to reduce the appearance of the scars and evaluate whether the marks presented on the skin are actually acne scars and not the symptom of another condition.

Some acne scar treatments below can’t be used alongside topical acne medications because the inflammation caused by the breakouts can reduce treatment effectiveness and new breakouts can lead to new acne scars. For this reason, it is highly recommended that the acne itself be treated before acne scar treatments begin.

Topical Treatments 

Alpha hydroxy acids

Best for more moderate types of acne scars

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are often found in products made to treat acne, this mild acid exfoliates the outer layer of the skin to help remove discolouration and rough skin and make acne scars appear less noticeable. 

Lactic acid

Best for most types of moderate acne scars

Lactic acid peels done once every 2 weeks for 3 months improved the texture, appearance, and pigmentation of the skin and lighten acne scars.

There are countless peels, serums, and ointments with lactic acid, but you can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a toner or spot treatment thanks to its natural lactic acid. But apple cider, as well as other at-home treatments, are potentially harsh on sensitive skin. They should always be tested on a small area of the skin before starting treatment with the product. 

If the skin is sensitive and the product is applied, there’s potential for inflammation and irritation, which can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Retinoids

Best for atrophic or depressed scars

Topical retinoids are another acne treatment with scar-smoothing benefits. In addition to speeding up your cell regeneration and improving your skin’s texture, retinoids can also help reduce discolouration and make scars less noticeable.

Because retinoids can make the skin especially sensitive to the sun, it is highly suggested that patients always wear sunscreen daily when using any product that contains retinoids.

Lower-concentration retinoid creams and serums are available over the counter, but a healthcare professional can prescribe products with higher concentrations.  

Salicylic acid

Best for all mild acne scars

From pads to spot treatments and lotions to face cleansers,  salicylic acid is present in just about every kind of acne treatment these days.

Salicylic acid, which works to clear pores, reduce swelling and redness, and exfoliate the skin when applied topically, is considered to be one of the better treatments for mild acne scars. 

Sunscreen

Best for preventing and reducing all acne scars

To make scars less apparent and not get worse, sunscreen should be applied every day over scars.  

If at-home treatments don’t seem to be making a difference, a skin care specialist or healthcare professional can help with more aggressive and effective treatments.

Treatments for Deeper and More Severe Scars

Laser Genesis

Best for all types of acne scars, especially deeper scars

Laser Genesis permanently removes acne scars and simultaneously restores and rejuvenates the skin. A non-invasive, painless procedure, Laser Genesis effectively heals scarring caused by acne, surgery, or burns, while also reducing the appearance of deep wrinkles, evens texture, reducing pores, and eliminating age spots. The icing on the cake is the boost of radiance and firmness Laser Genesis gives the skin by stimulating collagen production. Laser Genesis can be used to treat any part of the body; however, it is predominantly used on the face, neck, chest, and hands.

Laser Genesis does not wound the skin. Instead, it works by penetrating the top layer of skin and delivering thousands of micro-pulses of light to the dermis. The warming action shrinks blood vessels, breaks down scar tissue, and stimulates collagen production, leaving skin free of scars, broken blood vessels, and redness.

Unlike traditional laser treatments, Laser Genesis treats and rejuvenates the skin from beneath the surface, which means that the top layer, or epidermis, is not injured during the procedure. The most commonly reported side effect is mild, temporary redness of the treatment area, but this will resolve as your skin begins to heal.

Just about anyone is a good candidate for Laser Genesis. If you want to know more about how Laser Genesis compares to similar treatments, call Specialist Skin Solutions today to schedule a consultation. You’re just a few sessions away from having scar-free skin at last!

Dermabrasion

Best for scars close to the surface like shallow boxcar or rolling scars and helps deeper scars become less noticeable

Dermabrasion is one of the most effective and common treatments for facial scars. While it uses the same general principle as the microdermabrasion kits you can do at home, healthcare professionals use tools to exfoliate the top layer of the skin.

Chemical peels

Best for all types of acne scars, often used for deeper scars

Not the kind of face masks that you wear during a great Netflix movie, a chemical peel is a strong acid that’s used to remove the top layer of the skin to reduce deeper scars. 

Some chemical peels are mild enough to be used at home, but a healthcare professional can provide a stronger solution with more dramatic results. 

Fillers

Best for all types of acne scars, often used for deeper scars

Dermal Fillers are an injectable gel, generally made from collagen or hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance produced by the body that attracts and binds water.

When injected into the skin, dermal fillers restore volume, soften and fill lines, and are highly effective in eradicating acne scars, even the deeper types. When injected into the acne scar, dermal fillers work by expanding the tissue beneath the area, plumping up and smoothing depressed scars, producing a subtle, natural look that can last *6 to 18 months.

Microneedling

Best for: depressed acne scars

This newer treatment uses a small, handheld, needle-studded roller or a handheld “pen” on the surface of the scars. The needles puncture the skin without going through it. As the skin heals, it produces collagen.

Take away

Acne scars can be frustrating, annoying, and even psychologically damaging, but these days you don’t have to suffer in silence. Though most deep acne scars are permanent, a healthcare provider can help you find the right treatment plan for you. 

If you want to erase or reduce acne scars once and for all, call Specialist Skin Solutions today to schedule a consultation. You’re just a few sessions away from having scar-free, smooth, glowing skin. Want to know more about how our various treatments compare to similar treatments? Contact us today!

The post Adults Only: How to Erase Acne Scars at Any Age appeared first on Specialist Skin Solutions.