Experts say many people from Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) appear older due to vaping.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 18 to 24 have the highest rate of e-cigarette use, significantly higher than those aged 45 and above. Aside from potentially fatal effects, inhaling vape smoke can lead to bad breath, yellowing of teeth, and early wrinkles.
The appeal of e-cigarettes lies in their “smokeless” design. However, Dr. Bav Shergill, a member of the British Association of Dermatologists, states that nicotine can break down elasticity, causing skin to lose its luster.
“Some substances in vape smoke are harmful to the skin. Nicotine is the biggest issue; it can be addictive and negatively impact the skin. Nicotine and other active ingredients can cause acne and psoriasis,” Dr. Shergill explains.
When the skin is damaged by harmful chemicals, the body activates the immune system, leading to chronic inflammation. This exacerbates existing skin conditions such as psoriasis.
“When your body starts to react with inflammation, blood supply to the area increases. The body becomes mottled and flushed,” Shergill notes.
Illustration of a person vaping. (Photo: Unplash).
The skin cells of nicotine users are also more prone to degeneration. Previous studies comparing twins have shown that smokers have skin that is more sun-damaged than their non-smoking counterparts. Their aging process also begins earlier. The combination of sunlight and vape smoke can restrict blood flow to the skin over time, which is essential for repairing and regenerating healthy cells.
The heat generated by e-cigarettes can also lead to heat damage, causing the skin to become dehydrated, dull, and wrinkle-prone. The reason is the loss of collagen in the skin, which gradually reduces elasticity.
“Losing collagen is essentially like losing padding in a cushion. If you remove that padding, the cushion will sag. Your skin reacts similarly,” Shergill explains.
