If the chances of untimely death and continuing illnesses have not been adequate enough to put smokers off, now they are being warned the habit can also lead to spots, especially among women.
A condition called “smoker’s adult acne” – which affects smokers with blocked spots and pores- has been discovered by researchers at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome.
Women are most likely to be affected by this condition, according a British Journal of Dermatology report.
In a study of 1,000 women aged 25 to 50, 42 per cent of the smokers had adult acne, in comparison to only 10 per cent of non-smokers.
Additionally, smokers who had been affected with adult acne in their teens were found to be four times more likely to suffer adult acne as an adult than non-smokers who had also faced teenage adult acne.
The research find out a specific kind of adult acne called NIA (non-inflammatory adult acne) to be common among smokers.
Dr Bruno Capitanio, one of the study’s authors, said: “Our study demonstrates that NIA affects a high percentage of women and is especially high among smokers.
“Recognising this form of adult acne is fundamental to providing correct information about the effects of tobacco on the skin, which could contribute to anti-smoking information programmes.
“In some subjects the severity of adult acne – the clinical peculiarities, the strong correlation with smoking and the biochemical data – could lead to NIA being considered as a new entity among smoking-related skin diseases, called ‘smoker’s adult acne’.”
Dr Colin Holden, president of the British Association of Dermatologists, added: “Dermatologists have long associated smoking with premature ageing of the skin, wrinkles and a leathery complexion.
“However, scientists are now increasingly linking the habit with adult acne. For people who suffered adult acne as teenagers, the probability of also suffering adult acne in adulthood is four times higher in smokers than non-smokers. This indicates that smoking could be a major contributing factor for adult acne if you are already predisposed to the disorder.
“This study also shows an interesting link between a specific type of adult acne and smoking. All of these findings will, hopefully, provide people with an extra incentive to quit.”
