Tobacco and the Skin: Adverse Effects and Complex Relationships

June 2010 in “ Clinics in Dermatology ”

Andrei I. Metelitsa, Gilles J. Lauzon

androgenetic alopecia psoriasis palmoplantar pustulosis hidradenitis suppurativa systemic lupus erythematosus polymorphous light eruption oral lesions oral cancers aphthous ulcers Behçet disease ulcers pemphigus vulgaris pyoderma gangrenosum nicotine creams male pattern baldness lupus canker sores Behçet's disease nicotine cream

TLDR Smoking harms skin health, causing slower wound healing, more wrinkles, and worsening some skin conditions, but may protect against certain others.

The 2010 document reviews the adverse effects of smoking on skin health, indicating that smoking delays wound healing, accelerates skin aging and wrinkling, and has a complex relationship with skin cancer, including some evidence of a protective effect against melanoma. It is strongly associated with psoriasis, particularly palmoplantar pustulosis, and exacerbates the severity and lowers remission rates of the condition. Smoking also has a strong link to hidradenitis suppurativa, is a risk factor for androgenetic alopecia in men, and is associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, affecting the efficacy of antimalarial therapy. Additionally, it is connected to polymorphous light eruption and various oral lesions, with an increased risk of oral cancers. However, some reports suggest smoking may decrease the incidence of certain skin conditions, such as aphthous ulcers and Behçet disease ulcers, and may reduce the risk of pemphigus vulgaris. Nicotine creams and smoking have shown positive responses in treating pyoderma gangrenosum. Despite these potential protective effects, the document emphasizes the importance of dermatologists in advising patients to quit smoking due to its overall negative impact on skin health.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Associated Factors: Still Unsolved Problems

53 citations, July 2009 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The study suggests smoking is common in HS patients but its role is unclear, and more research is needed to understand HS causes.

research Association of Androgenetic Alopecia With Smoking and Its Prevalence Among Asian Men

91 citations, November 2007 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Smoking linked to hair loss in Asian men.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations, August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.

research Androgen Metabolism as It Affects Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

143 citations, October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community Androgenetic alopecia is a skin disease: DHT-mediated skin disorders

in Research/Science 65 upvotes 1 year ago

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

community My Theory Regarding a Cause and Cure for Androgenetic Alopecia

in Treatment 98 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss theory suggests imbalance between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Androgen Receptor (AR) activation. Proposed treatment includes upregulating VDR, downregulating AR, and improving mitochondrial health.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 3 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community C’est terrible - at my wits end

in Female 443 upvotes 1 year ago

A 29-year-old woman is experiencing gradual hair thinning since age 15, suspects Androgenic Alopecia, and has tried 5% minoxidil with little success. She has purchased various hair loss treatments including minoxidil, dutasteride, finasteride, and spironolactone, but is cautious about starting them due to potential interactions with her ADHD medication.

community I think I might have cured my hairloss

17 upvotes 10 years ago

The user experienced severe dandruff and hair loss, trying various treatments including oils, vitamins, and minoxidil. They found success by simply dampening their scalp with water twice a day, which improved their hair's appearance and eliminated psoriasis.

community "DHT Itch" and onset Seborrheic Dermatitis

in Research/Science 76 upvotes 1 year ago

The post and conversation discuss the link between DHT (a hormone), scalp itchiness, and hair loss. Some users share their experiences and treatments, including the use of fluconazole, corticosteroids, and ketoconazole shampoo, with one user suspecting minoxidil as a potential cause of their symptoms.