Does Vaping Affect Your Skin’s Health? A Dermatologist Reveals the Truth

Once hailed as the “safer” alternative to smoking, vaping has grown in popularity, particularly among younger generations. But does switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes really spare your skin?

To unravel this mystery, we turned to Dr Ang Sue May, a Consultant Dermatologist at Shine Dermatology in Singapore, whose expertise lies in acne, scarring, and skin health.

Vaping vs. Smoking: Is It a Lesser Evil?

Dr Ang points out that although vaping might appear to be a safer alternative to regular smoking, it certainly doesn’t mean it’s harmless for your skin.

“Vaping and traditional smoking both negatively impact the skin, but the mechanisms and severity differ. While vaping may have fewer harmful effects on the skin than traditional smoking, it is by no means safe,” she explains.

The main offenders? Nicotine, dehydration, and oxidative stress. “Vaping might be slightly less harsh on the skin than smoking, but it still contributes to premature ageing, dryness, and acne,” Dr Ang shares.

Smoking takes a significant toll on your skin, leading to more pronounced signs of ageing, pigmentation problems, and an increased risk of skin cancer because of the toxic chemicals it contains.

While vaping may seem like a better option, it still doesn’t do your skin any favours.

The Skin-Damaging Ingredients in Your Vape

Vape pens may have a stylish appearance, but the substances they contain can be detrimental to your skin. Dr Ang explains the most harmful ingredients involved:

• Nicotine: “Nicotine acts as a vasoconstrictor, meaning it narrows blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin. This can impair the skin’s ability to heal and repair itself, potentially leading to dryness, premature ageing, and acne breakouts due to increased sebum production.”
• Propylene glycol (PG): “This common humectant in e-liquids can cause susceptibility to contact dermatitis, particularly in sensitive individuals. Symptoms include redness, itching, and rashes.”
• Flavourings: Many e-cigarette flavourings contain chemical compounds like diacetyl, acetoin, or acetyl propionyl. “These can increase the likelihood of perioral dermatitis, a type of rash around the mouth, due to contact irritation,” Dr Ang warns.
• Heavy metals: “E-cigarettes may contain trace amounts of heavy metals, like nickel, lead, or chromium, from the heating elements. These metals can induce allergic reactions or contact dermatitis when the vapour or residue makes contact with the skin.”

Skin Problems Associated with Vaping

If you vape regularly, you might start to see some noticeable changes in your skin. Dr Ang points out that the most frequent problems include:

• Dry, flaky skin: Vaping can cause dehydration, resulting in a rough texture and lacklustre appearance.
• Breakouts: The hormonal shifts triggered by vaping might boost oil production, which can lead to acne, especially around the jawline and mouth area.
• Redness and irritation: Chemicals in vaping can provoke inflammation, leading to redness, particularly for those with sensitive skin.
• Dark under-eye circles: Poor blood circulation from vaping can make you appear constantly fatigued.
• Slow healing: “Nicotine may delay the body’s ability to heal, meaning that even minor cuts or acne scars could take longer to fade,” Dr Ang notes.

Vaping can make existing issues like eczema, rosacea, and acne even worse.

“Nicotine in e-cigarettes reduces blood flow by constricting blood vessels. This can impair skin healing and exacerbate conditions like acne and eczema,” Dr Ang explains.

The substances found in e-cigarette aerosols can lead to inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially aggravating inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea and eczema, and may also contribute to acne flare-ups.

How Vaping Speeds Up Skin Ageing

Smoking is well-known for its effects on skin ageing, and unfortunately, vaping isn’t a great alternative either.

Dr Ang explains, “Vaping can negatively impact skin ageing and collagen production in several ways, primarily due to the harmful chemicals present in e-cigarette vapour.”

Nicotine plays a significant role:

• “Nicotine restricts blood flow to the skin by constricting blood vessels, which reduces oxygen and nutrient delivery to skin cells.”
• “The vapour from e-cigarettes contains various chemicals, including formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein, which can generate free radicals.” Free radicals can cause significant damage to the skin by harming its proteins, lipids, and DNA, which speeds up the breakdown of collagen and elastin.

The outcome? You get wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin – clear signs of ageing that occur too soon.

The Impact on Skin Hydration and Barrier Function

Vaping doesn’t just age the skin; it also weakens its natural defences.

“The chemicals in vaping aerosols, particularly nicotine and other solvents, may cause dehydration by reducing moisture in the skin and increasing transepidermal water loss (TEWL),” says Dr Ang. This weakens the skin barrier, making it more vulnerable to environmental damage, irritation, and sensitivity.

Dehydration combined with decreased blood circulation can make the skin appear lacklustre and lifeless. When you also factor in oxidative stress, it creates a perfect storm for poor skin health.

Can You Reverse the Damage?

There’s some great news: stopping vaping can allow your skin to heal.

“The effects of vaping on the skin can be partially reversible if a person stops vaping,” says Dr Ang. Although the length and intensity of your vaping habits matter, implementing a focused skincare routine can really boost the recovery process.

Dr Ang’s Tips for Skin-Savvy Vapers

If you’re not quite ready to give up your vape, there are ways to lessen its impact. Dr Ang suggests the following:

• Hydration: Make sure to drink enough water to help with dehydration.
• Sun protection: Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
• Barrier support: Look for products containing hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and panthenol.
• Gentle products: Steer clear of harsh cleansers that might irritate sensitive skin.
• Diet matters: Incorporate foods high in antioxidants, as well as vitamins C and E, and omega-3 fatty acids to aid in skin repair.

The Long-Term Effects of Vaping

Emerging studies are increasingly revealing the long-term effects of vaping on the skin.

“One of the primary ingredients in e-cigarettes, nicotine, has been shown to constrict blood vessels, reducing blood flow to the skin and limiting the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients,” Dr Ang says.

Over time, it can result in a dull complexion, fine lines, wrinkles, and reduced elasticity, all stemming from lower collagen production.

Although comprehensive long-term research is still scarce, the similarities with smoking are evident. Dr Ang says, “Further studies will be crucial to fully understand the extent of long-term damage to skin health.”

Research indicates that vaping could negatively impact hormonal health, raising further concerns. A study conducted by Hertility discovered that women who vape tend to have reduced levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which is an important indicator of ovarian reserve.

While vaping may appear to be a trendy substitute for smoking, its effects on your skin are anything but appealing. Your health and skin deserve more care – maybe it’s time to consider giving up that vape pen.

Featured image credits: FORMM agency/Unsplash and Olena Bohovyk/Unsplash