Protecting Your Skin: Risks of Smoking and UV Exposure

Skin health is a significant concern for many, reflected in the multi-billion dollar skincare industry. Common skin issues can arise from lifestyle habits, notably smoking and excessive sun exposure. Smoking accelerates aging and skin diseases, while UV light causes damage and skin cancers. Preventative measures are essential for maintaining skin health.

updated June 26, 2025, previously titled

How smoking and sun affect skin’s look and feel

Skin health and beauty- big business

Browse social media or news sites online and you notice skin health and appearance is a priority for most people. Sales for skin care and appearance products and services is a multi-billion dollar industry. If you’re on social media, you’ve probably seen posts from friends who are involved in direct selling companies for skin care, maybe you are also.

As a family physician, I treated skin problems frequently. Some of these are primary skin problems, but some are the result of lifestyle habits, other medical conditions, and even medical treatments. While some of these may be unavoidable, others are preventable.

This post will look at two avoidable risks to skin health and appearance-smoking and ultraviolet light. 

Skin Deep- cells and layers

First let’s take a deeper look at our skin, it’s more complex than you may realize. It has two layers-

the top layer, the epidermis

the lower layer, the dermis

Layers of the Skin diagram

The layers of the skin (epidermis and dermis), as well as an inset with a close-up view of the types of cells in the skin (squamous cells, basal cells, and melanocytes). Source: National Cancer Institute Creator: Don Bliss (Illustrator) This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source and, where possible, the creator listed above.

Skin disease and trauma involve damage to one or both layers of the skin- the dermis or epidermis, or to the individual cells- squamous cells, basal cells, or the melanocytes-the cells with pigment that give our skin color.

Cancers can develop in any cell of the skin. Melanoma is cancer of the melanocytes.

(This photo is for illustration only and should not be used to diagnose a skin lesion. See a physician if you have a skin lesion that concerns you. )

photo of melanoma skin cancer

a melanoma skin lesion-Source: National Cancer Institute Creator: Unknown Photographer- This image is in the public domain and can be freely reused. Please credit the source

Smoking and Your Skin

I’ve previously discussed 7 reasons to be smoke free. One of those is skin health.

By decreasing circulation, smoking robs skin of nourishment and oxygen; this weakens skin , making it susceptible to infection, cancer, and aging.

Skin experts wrote in the Journal of Dermatological Science

“Smoking is associated with many dermatological (skin) conditions, including

  • poor wound healing,
  • premature skin aging,
  • squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma,(cancers)
  • acne,
  • psoriasis, and
  • hair loss

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels.com

Tobacco’s Effect on  Skin

  • Facial wrinkles and furrows (eg, crows’ feet at corners of the eyes,  smoker’s lines around lips)
  • Baggy eyelids and slack jawline
  • Uneven skin coloring: grayish, yellow with prominent blood vessels (telangiectasia)
  • Dry, coarse skin.

Long term, the skin of a 40-year-old heavy smoker will resemble that of non-smoking 70-year-old. !

Other potential hazards from tobacco use include

  • increased risk for bacterial, yeast, and viral skin infections
  • impaired circulation increasing the risk of frostbite, Raynaud’s syndrome, and blood clots (thrombosis)
  • thrush and gingivitis

DermNet NZ offers this gallery of photos illustrating these ways tobacco use can damage our skin.       ALERT: These photos are graphic.

Tips to Become Smoke Free

  • Know what triggers you to smoke. Do you smoke after a meal, while driving, or when you’re stressed? Make a plan to handle each trigger.
  • Consider getting support from 1–800–QUIT–NOW or smokefree.gov
  • You can buy nicotine gum, patches, and lozenges from a drug store.
  • Remove cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters from your home, office, and car.
  • Remind yourself of the benefits of quitting.
  • Even if you start smoking regularly again, don’t give up. Most people who smoke need a few tries to quit before finally being successful.
  • Talk to your healthcare provider about other resources to help you quit.

Ultraviolet Light Effects on Skin

Basking in sunlight may enhance our mood, but too much can damage our skin.

The signs of photo-aging are obvious to physicians-

  • yellowing or sallowing of the skin complexion
  • dry and rough texture with wrinkling,
  • unevenly pigmented skin tone with dilated blood vessels.
  • stretched out
  • easy bruising

Visit this link from the Canadian Dermatology Association to see what photoaged skin looks like

Photoaging

Photoaging is premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV), primarily from the sun but also from artificial UV sources, such as tanning beds. Besides aging, excess sun exposure can cause

  • Burns
  • Rash due to increased sun sensitivity when taking certain medications
  • Cancers- skin cancers are the most common type of cancer.

How to Limit UV Light Exposure 

  • Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher
  • Wear hats, sunglasses, sun protective clothing
  • Avoid sun exposure, especially from 10 am to 4 pm
  • No tanning bed use.

When selecting a sunscreen, make sure the label says:

  • Broad spectrum: The words “broad spectrum” means that the sunscreen can protect your skin from both types of harmful UV rays — the UVA rays and the UVB rays.
  • SPF 30 or higher: The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you select a sunscreen with an SPF rating of 30 or higher.
  • Water resistant: Dermatologists also recommend that you look for the words “water resistant.” This tells you that the sunscreen will stay on wet or sweaty skin for a while before you need to reapply. Water resistance lasts either 40 or 80 minutes. Not all sunscreens offer water resistance.

Exploring the HEART of Health

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Dr. Aletha

The cover image of this post was created by JetPackAI available with WordPress.

a cute monkey checks out his face in a mirrow

We all care about our appearance, including this cute monkey. Photo by Andre Mouton on Pexels.com

A Message of Life from Eugene Peterson

The Presbyterian pastor, best known for authoring The Message Bible, died October 22 at age 85, a week after entering hospice care for complications related to heart failure and dementia.

There is an updated version of this post so go here

This post featuring Bible verses from the modern language version The Message was originally published over a year ago. I am reposting it today in honor of the author Eugene Peterson who passed away this week.

 

Proverbs 18 The Message (MSG)

Words Kill, Words Give Life

 

2 Fools care nothing for thoughtful discourse;
all they do is run off at the mouth.

4 Many words rush along like rivers in flood,

but deep wisdom flows up from artesian springs. 

6 The words of a fool start fights;

do him a favor and gag him.

7 Fools are undone by their big mouths;
their souls are crushed by their words.

8 Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?

13 Answering before listening

    is both stupid and rude.

15 Wise men and women are always learning,

    always listening for fresh insights.

17 The first speech in a court case is always convincing—

    until the cross-examination starts!

20 Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
    good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.

21 Words kill, words give life;
    they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.

The Message (MSG)Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Better the poor whose walk is blameless than whose lips are perverse Proverbs 19:1 from YMI
a shareable image from YMI- Why Am I?, a platform for young people to ask questions about life and purpose; a part of Our Daily Bread Ministries

A Message of Life from Eugene Peterson

 

 

 

Eugene Peterson- offered Words of Life

 

Eugene Peterson has completed his “long obedience in the same direction.”

The Presbyterian pastor, best known for authoring The Message Bible, died October 22 at age 85, a week after entering hospice care for complications related to heart failure and dementia.

About his death, Peterson said this,

“I have no idea how it’s going to work out. But I’m not afraid, I’ll tell you that.

I’ve been with a lot of people who are dying. I think those conversations are some of the best I’ve ever had. These are people who have lived a good life and who have embraced their faith. They’re not afraid.”

 
 

He was the author of more than 30 books, including the bestselling A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, where he explored discipleship and perseverance in the Christian life.

 


exploring the HEART of life and death

I’m glad you chose to read this post.

Dr. Aletha