By now, we should all be privy to the dangers that vaping can have on our lungs but there's a whole bunch of ways puffing on an e-cig can also impact your skin.
Rupesh Shah, the director of London Lip Clinic has revealed exactly what vaping really does to the skin and all the science behind it.
He explains that vaping is 'the fastest way to rob the skin of moisture' which, in turn, paves the way for a whole lot of dehydration.
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Dehydration
Vapes contain nicotine, a substance that has 'countless harmless side effects' towards the skin alone, and activates metalloproteinase which is a group of enzymes that breaks down collagen elastin and proteoglycans (a protein that plays an instrumental role in hydration).
When the skin is dehydrated, it can lead to fine lines and wrinkles forming around the face, as well as the face appearing 'sunken', as its contours appear pronounced.
Skin tone change
The expert warns: "Vaping sparks Vasoconstriction, a process that sees the blood vessels in the face contract and narrow, restricting blood flow and at times, stopping altogether.
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"This causes redness in the face that is difficult to control if vaping continues. As well as reducing the amount of blood that is able to reach the skins surface, vaping also restricts its vital nutrients, leading the skin to appear yellow in tone."
Skin outbreaks
And it's not just dehydration and a change in skin tone as vaping can also bring about a major delay in the healing of skin outbreaks.
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"There is significant evidence to suggest that vaping impairs the regeneration of the skins tissue just as much as cigarettes," Shah says. "If you experience a skin abrasion, vaping will restrict the amount of oxygen able to make it to the wound in order for it to heal."
Not only does vaping deprive the wound of oxygen, but it also causes the blood platelets to stick together, leading it to thicken, making it difficult to move through the small blood vessels in the body.
Shah adds: "When the skin experiences a wound, a flow of fresh oxygen and blood is vital. Research shows that the speed in which a wound heals may be halved in vapers."
Skin conditions
Vaping can also ignite skin conditions as the liquid found in e-cigarettes contain a synthetic substance called Propylene Glycol.
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According to the expert, several studies have shown that the ingestion of Propylene Glycol can cause contact dermatitis which manifests as dry, cracked, itchy patches of skin.
Shah notes: "What’s more, vapes hold several different flavourings and additives that can cause flare ups for those that suffer from the likes of eczema and psoriasis.
"The severity of the skin conditions may rapidly increase as the skin struggles to heal itself."
Well, there you have it.
Rhiannon Ingle