Does Smoking Cause Acne?

Most researchers agree that smoking in itself does not cause acne. But, evidence is now accumulating that smoking may make acne that is already present much worse. This is now specifically been shown for a type of acne called non-inflammatory acne. This has been recently demonstrated by researchers at the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome, Italy.

According to researchers, 42% of smokers suffered from acne, compared to 10% of non-smokers. But cigarette smokers seemed to develop non-inflamed acne at a much higher rate than other adult acne sufferers. Within the women in the study, three quarters of those with non-inflamed acne were smokers. The number of cigarettes smoked didn't seem to have an effect on the severity of acne breakouts. But if women had experienced acne in their teen years, they were four times more likely to experience smoker's acne as an adult. Non-smokers who suffered from non-inflammatory acne, about half (48.9%) were exposed to environmental factors, such as working in a steam-filled work environments or were constantly exposed to smoke, that could have contributed to their acne. Smokers who had suffered acne in their teens were found to be four times more likely to suffer acne as an adult than non-smokers who also had experienced teenage acne.

1000 women aged 25 to 50 were enrolled in the study. The findings were published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Another important aspect of acne and smoking is that it is a known fact that smoking reduces the healing rate. So with acne that is ulcerating or is infected with inflammatory lesions, it usually will take longer in getting healed. This long and poor healing will lead to worse scar formation and poor skin quality. Smoking also makes skin age faster. Smoking may not cause acne, but to treat acne faster, it is better to stop smoking. Smoking affects ALL the vital organs of the body leading to poorer health and lesser ability to fight infections such as acne.

I have a question about the acne renewing exfoliant. I read that a ph less then 3 shouldn't stay on your skin overnight because it will be to harsh and could do damage. I just ordered the acne kit, I have sensitive skin, wondering what approach would be best?

When a product specifically designed to peel the skin is applied to the face, it is kept on for some time and then washed off to prevent it from continuing to exfoliate the skin. Usually these products are straight acid formulations with no buffering ingredients to give the maximum peel in the minimum amount of time. So leaving them on for too long may cause undue irritation. Such products are usually not available over the counter and only used in professional facilities by trained personnel. But, even these products if left on for too long may slowly neutralize from the skin own secretions, and become non- problematic. Certainly an acid peel formulations left on too long will have its most potent effect in the first few minutes to an hour, and if tolerated will not be any more irritating a few hours later than it was in the first hour. Off course the inflammation caused by these may continue to get worse and be quite damaging.

Products made to exfoliate skin that are for home use have complex formulations designed with buffers, to prevent ongoing irritation after the first few minutes of application. Most product instructions suggest washing these off as a precaution, even though it is usually not necessary. Even products with a pH lower than 3 can be made with this function. Though, products that are water based may be harder to formulate with such a low pH and also be less irritating.

The Lexli Acne Kit Renewing Exfoliant is a product I designed a number of years ago, and is available by itself as AloeGlyC (R) a patented formula. This product was designed to be used as a potent exfoliant specifically in treating wrinkles and sun damage. It is a strong peelant that can be used everyday to visibly reduce the signs of aging and damage. I wanted to make it strong but very safe and therefore based it in Aloe Vera which is one of the most potent natural anti-inflammatory available today. By combining the ingredients in this unique formulation, I was able to make a product that can support a low pH, strongly exfoliate and yet cause very little irritation even if left on after application. This product has been in regular use since 1998 with zero incidence of problems. In fact, it is our most popular selling product for skin rejuvenation.

AloeGlyC is included as an exfoliant in the Lexli Acne Kit as exfoliation is a very important step in complete acne treatment. My recommendation to those with sensitive skin is to initially use it sparingly may be every other day. You may want to dilute it with a little moisturizer initially. Once your skin becomes healthier with continued use over time, you will be able to use it undiluted everyday. This is because as the skin is treated and becomes rejuvenated, the dermis thickens making it more supple and resilient and better able to tolerate lower pHs.

Originating in Northern Africa, aloe vera is now cultivated all over the world, including places such as: Aruba, Texas, and eastern Asia.  The reason it has become so widely grown is because its medicinal uses have been known about for centuries and historical evidence shows it even dates back to the Egyptians.  When it comes to skin care, aloe vera is commonly used for cuts, burns, and eczema.  The sap contained inside of an aloe vera plant is known for its ability to ease pain and decrease inflammation, hence why it is also commonly used in acne products.  One of the reasons acne appears to be red and so dry is because the skin is inflamed, so using aloe vera to soothe the skin can help reduce redness and moisturize as well.

Since acne is a very common problem that over 85% of teens face at one point or another, it is not always necessary to visit a doctor when a mild breakout occurs.  At-home treatments such as the LexLi Acne Kit means a visit to the doctor is not necessary to receive medical solutions.  The philosophy for deciding whether or not to see a doctor is simple: watch and wait.  Acne will clear up over time by using the LexLi Acne Kit or various other at-home treatments.  Acne problems will not be solved overnight & may take as long as two weeks to clear up.  But there are certain signs you should look out for when deciding whether or not a doctor consultation is necessary for your breakout:

• You have been using at-home treatment for up to eight weeks and the breakout is not improving at all or getting worse.
• Blemishes increase in size and become either hard or filled with fluid.
• Facial hair development in women.
• Your current breakout started after taking a doctor prescribed medication.
• Your skin came into contact with oils, chemicals, or other harsh substances that led to a breakout (always seek medical care immediately if the chemicals are known to be dangerous to humans).
• Scars develop after your acne starts to disappear.

Along with all the major health concerns that come with being pregnant, a very minor one that many women forget about is acne.  Studies have shown that acne is the most common skin problem for women during pregnancy as a result of hormonal changes.  Some women may never develop any acne problems during their teen years, but then experience acne breakouts after becoming pregnant. 

Some doctors have claimed that acne developing during pregnancy will only get worse if it is not treated right away and can even stay after the baby is born.  Studies have shown that certain chemicals should be avoided as a result of their known to cause birth defects in the fetuses of pregnant and/or attempting to conceive mothers.  The harmful chemicals include: benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid, and any of the retinoids. 

Acne vulgaris (commonly known as Acne) is a skin disease and comes from the Greek word άκμή, describing the occurrence of skin inflammation as a skin eruption.  The scientific explanation of how acne is caused is by changes in the skin structures consisting of a hair follicle and the local gland. If an individual develops a severe form of acne, their skin will become inflamed, but acne can also manifest in noninflammatory forms. Acne lesions are commonly referred to as pimples, spots, or zits.

Over 85% of teenagers will be affected by acne at one point or another during adolescence, making this the most common stage in life to get acne. For the majority people, acne diminishes over time and tends to disappear, but it is still possible for acne to continue into adulthood.  Most people will stop having acne problems once they reach their early twenties, but that does not mean it can’t return in the future.  There is no way to predict how long it will take for it to disappear entirely, and individuals could possibly continue to suffer from acne decades later, into their thirties and forties.