Smoking does cause wrinkles. Add premature skin aging if you’re looking for another reason to quit.
Smoking accelerates the natural aging process, leading to wrinkles and other noticeable facial changes, including:
Crow’s feet
Pronounced lines between the eyebrows
Uneven skin tone
A grayish tone in lighter skin
Deep creases and puffiness under the eyes
Wrinkles around the mouth
Thinner lips
The more cigarettes you smoke and the longer you smoke, the greater the likelihood of developing these age-related changes. Sun exposure also plays a significant role in skin damage, and the combination of smoking and unprotected sun exposure amplifies the effects.
How Smoking Contributes to Wrinkles
Several factors related to smoking cause skin damage and premature aging:
Restricted blood flow: Nicotine narrows blood vessels, reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to skin cells.
Chemical damage: Cigarette chemicals trigger molecular changes that harm the skin’s elasticity and structural health.
Repetitive movements: Frequent squinting and lip pursing contribute to wrinkles around the mouth and eyes.
Heat and smoke: Heat and un-inhaled smoke dry and damage the skin’s surface.
These factors cause wrinkles and impair the skin’s ability to heal, increasing the risk of infections and scarring.
Can the Damage Be Reversed?
While the damage caused by smoking cannot be undone, quitting smoking now can prevent further harm. Stopping will halt the acceleration of skin aging and help protect your skin from worsening effects.
