What should a teen-age or grown-up smoker, who has skin problems, do when faced with a question whether smoking influences skin rash in any way.

There is a lot of controversial information on acne and smoking over the Internet. I had a chance to see a very doubtful research with results that smoking actually helps to prevent acne. The study is based on an assumption that cigarettes contain some substance, perhaps the nicotine itself, which has anti-inflammatory effects on blemishes. I consider this to be a sheer absurd, as I have seen it for myself in practice. In fact, the people who have announced the findings of such research should feel more responsible for their words.

Sometimes smoking is justified by the fact that nicotine allegedly has stress reducing effects. Let me contemplate on the connection between these factors… The fluctuation of hormones in the body indeed influences the rash (e.g. the rash increases during the period of puberty, pregnancy). However, it is wrong to follow such advice in order to decrease the rash. Smoking causes lung cancer (it is a fact) or upper respiratory tract diseases. Not to mention the aesthetic side of smoking – bad breath.

Browsing through the Internet you could find the results of some surveys with several hundreds of participants that report on the relation between smoking and acne. It is pretty strange when such relation is not found at all. Yes, I have also got skin problems, and, moreover, I smoke too. But I can tell you that there is no point in listening to that absurd. These pieces of advice are of little use, especially to the ones who smoke.

I have been smoking since the age of 18 and have long been unsuccessfully trying to quit. I am 29 now. The longest period of smoking was three years and I often refuse cigarettes for several months or weeks. My skin type is oily. Due to excessive oil release the pores are afflicted with blackhead pimples, and sometimes – cystic inflammations, thus, I am constantly bound to take care of my skin.
Within a couple of days after I quit smoking I start observing improvement of skin. The skin becomes smoother, lighter; there is a decrease of small pore-blocking dots, which, as I know from experience, can cause problems if not taken care of. Further on, in about two weeks time skin condition gets even better.

As I revert to smoking again, blemishes increase within a couple of days. The skin gets darker, minor instances of redness appear here and there.
I am sure that both the pipe, and the cigars have the same affect as the cigarettes. Let alone all the rest hazards of smoking.

Likewise, passive smoking also greatly influences skin condition. When you are in a room with plenty of cigarette smoke, it rests on your face, hands. The situation gets even worse in case you touch your face with unwashed hands and fingers. The substances that are contained in smoke are not healthy for skin at all, just as any other dirt on face. The skin is to be taken case of and be properly cleansed, especially if it is problematic.

Consider acne disease very personal. Have less belief in statistics, vague research and silly conclusions. Trust more your own personal experience. Analyze causes and effects until you find out the answers to questions that you worry the most. Of course it requires time! After all, the result – is being pretty and having no blemishes, which is worth it. Dedicate a couple of weeks or months for these experiments and let the results become evident.