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Do you find your skin dull and wrinkled at the moment? Perhaps it is due to the fumes emitted by your vaping device. The chemicals it contains could indeed lead to premature aging of the skin.
Cigarettes are well known for their harmful effects on the skin: they contribute to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, two proteins that maintain the firmness and elasticity of the skin. However, vaping devices are now also in the sights of dermatologists: Generation Z, addicted to “Vapes”, seems to be aging faster than millennials.
Vaping causes premature aging of the skin
According to American researchers, if lifestyle, diet, environment and stress weigh heavily on the younger generation, vaping would also be responsible for the “accelerated aging“of Generation Z.
In fact, dermatologists say the chemicals in vapes can cause skin irritation, wrinkles, allergic reactions, and dry skin.
Dr Bav Shergilln of the British Association of Dermatologists explains to Daily Mail that nicotine – an addictive substance present in tobacco and e-cigarettes – is the worst poison for the skin.
“Nicotine is an “active” ingredient that is responsible for all kinds of skin problems. It is associated with acne, psoriasis and rashes“, explains Dr. Shergill.
Vaping, in particular, causes premature aging of the skin, the doctor warns. By reducing blood flow to the skin, nicotine actually deprives it of oxygen and nutrients.
Result ? This reduction in flow leads to a breakdown of elastin fibers, making the skin less elastic and more likely to “wrinkle.” It is in fact these fibers which give the skin a certain effect “lift-up“, explains Dr. Shergill.
Even greater aging in the event of exposure to the sun
Dr Shergil also specifies: “If you take two twins for example and you have one who smokes and likes to sunbathe, look at them at the age of 25. You can see the difference between them. Aging begins quite early with smoking and exposure to the sun..
An observation, validated by Dr Asiya Maula, general practitioner at The Health Suite medical center, also interviewed by our colleagues at Daily Mail.
“The combination of heat, chemicals, and reduced blood flow to the skin from nicotine makes it difficult for the skin to repair itself naturally. This heat can also dehydrate the skin, making it look dull and aged.”
A significant decrease in collagen
Another effect of vaping: the collagen in the skin begins to break down, leading to sagging and wrinkled skin.
“You lose your collagen, which can be compared to “filling” in a mattress. However, if you no longer have one, the mattress sags and your skin sags.“, explains Dr. Shergill.
“Vape” can also be responsible for inflammation causing redness and psoriasis flare-ups, but also yellow spots on the teeth.
Finally, the chemicals contained in e-cigarettes can be associated “to cancers of the mouth, lips and some reports indicate that it could be associated with melanoma squamous cell carcinoma.concludes Dr. Shergill.
Slide: Electronic cigarette: everything you need to know about vaping