A study looked at cigarette smoking and the skin under one's inner upper arm. Location was chosen, as this area is protected from the effects of sun.
Sun damaged skin has:
- roughness,
- coarse wrinkles, and
- pigment irregularities.
Cigarette smokers have:
- fine wrinkles
The amount of fine wrinkles seem to be related to:
- packs per day smoked
- number of years smoked
- pack years smoked
- age
The underlying mechanisms are the same for both smokers and sunlight exposure:
- decreased collagen synthesis and
- increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels (Note: these enzymes break down the collagen in bone and cartilage
What does all this add up to? One more reason to stop smoking, especially if you want to retain your youthful appearance.
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