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“
New
research has shown women aged 25-40 who smoke are four times more
likely to suffer from acne – and four times more likely to retain it
beyond their teens. A
study of more than a thousand women published in the British
Journal of Dermatology* has
identified a smoking-related form of acne mostly affecting adult
females and “strikingly more frequent” among smokers. The
authors have dubbed the condition Non-Inflammatory Acne (NIA) or
“smoker’s acne face”. The study found it to be the most common
form of acne in women, accounting for more than half acne occurrence
among non-smokers and over 90% among smokers. NIA
can occur in a severe form, featuring prominent whiteheads, blackheads
and microcysts. It can leave obvious scarring (see picture in article
below). The
study found that among the 1000 women: ·
41.5% of smokers had acne, more than four times the
non-smokers’ rate (9.7%); and ·
smokers who had suffered acne in their teens were four times
more likely to have it as adults than were non-smoking teenage acne
sufferers. The
study cited previous research suggesting
a number of possible reasons for tobacco’s role in acne
causation. Commenting
on the study, Anne Jones, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and
Health (ASH) Australia said: “With
smoking rates and uptake still high among young people, it’s
important to get these kinds of messages out – that smoking can
result in acne and scars. “Young
women who smoke are spending a lot of money on their appearance and
probably don’t know that it’s smoking that gives them unhealthy
skin - as well as increasing their risk of cancer and heart disease. “Despite
overwhelming evidence about tobacco products being both addictive and
lethal, we continue to see tobacco pushers targeting young people in
shops, at youth events and in films where smoking is frequently
associated with glamour and success. ASH
and thirty other health groups are calling upon all Governments to end
the remaining powerful forms of tobacco promotion, with tougher
legislation to put tobacco products out of sight in shops and to ban
tobacco marketing promotions at events attended by young people. *
Capitanio JL et al (2007) ‘Smoker’s acne’: a new clinical
entity? in British Journal of Dermatology (OnlineEarly) at
www.ashaust.org.au/pdfs/AcneStudy0709.pdf
Comment: Anne Jones, CEO, ASH Australia m. 0417-227-879 Media
info: Stafford
Sanders, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 24/9/07 |
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