This is what vaping does to your skin

Spoiler, it’s doing no favours 

With new regulations rolling in changing the way Aussies can access vaping products, the health implications of the controversial activity have never been under more scrutiny.

But if the risk of nicotine addiction, exposure to toxic cancer-causing chemicals and incremental lung damage aren't enough to deter people from purchasing and using vapes, perhaps this latest revelation will.   

That’s right – according to experts, vaping on a regular (or even casual) basis could be wreaking havoc on the health and appearance of your skin. 

“Akin to cigarette smoking, vaping incorporates an inhalation of toxins and so it’s inevitable that some of these toxins will be deposited in the skin, causing damage to the skin barrier and inflammation impacting the skin’s ability to function normally,” explains Isabella Loneragan, award-winning dermal therapist. 

Anyone who has struggled with unpredictable skin – triggered by hormones, lifestyle changes or unsuitable products – will know how difficult it can be to maintain a happy and balanced skin barrier. 

Add a toxic inhalation of vaping ingredients into the mix, however, and your expensive skincare routine may be rendered totally useless. 

“While skin microbiome is relatively resilient, it can easily be disrupted and turn quite delicate when it’s hit with enough of the chemicals in vapes,” says Loneragan.

“Too many extrinsically damaging ingredients in poorly formulated cleansers and scrub-based exfoliants can also really harm the skin’s microbiome.”

Whatever your skin’s baseline concerns are, vaping can – and will – only aggravate them. Image: Pexels

What does vaping do to your skin?

Whatever your skin’s baseline concerns are, experts are confident the act of vaping can – and will – only aggravate them. And while studies into the implications of vaping on the skin – and our wider health – are fairly limited, many dermal experts such as Loneragan are seeing the effects firsthand in their line of work.  

“One of the most significant impacts of vaping is an exacerbation of acne,” Loneragan explains. “More and more studies are showing that the nicotine in e-cigarettes can constrict blood vessels and reduce blood flow to the skin, which leads to inflammation and the development of flares of acne.”

As we know, the toxic chemicals in e-cigarettes disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome, potentially causing an overproduction of sebum – an oily substance that can clog your pores and cause unwanted breakouts. 

Another common skin condition that can be exacerbated by vaping is rosacea, a chronic condition that causes redness and inflammation on the face, “Vaping aggravates rosacea due to the presence of chemicals and irritants in e-cigarettes,” adds Loneragan. “The nicotine in vapes – like cigarettes – causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to a worsening of rosacea symptoms.”

“It should come as no surprise that vaping also can result in premature ageing and the development of fine lines and wrinkles,” adds the dermal therapist. “The chemicals in e-cigarettes are known to cause oxidative stress, damaging collagen and elastin which are the proteins that keep skin firm and youthful looking.

How can you reverse the impact of vaping? Image: Pexels

Can you reverse vaping skin damage? 

When it comes to reversing the impacts of vaping on the skin, Isabella says this may not be entirely possible – depending on how severe your vaping tendencies have been. Of course, like smoking, the effects of vaping on the skin will begin to cease when you stop, according to Loneragan. 

“The longer you’ve been vaping, the more damage you’d have caused and so the longer it will likely take to see signs of improvement on your skin,” she says. “But again, simply stopping will help and will prevent further damage because blood flow will increase and carbon monoxide levels will drop, improving your complexion as skin cell production returns to normal.”

Aside from giving up your vape, Loneragan says there are simple habits and products you can incorporate into your routine to supplement your skin’s healing journey, such as more antioxidants like vitamin C and regularly undergoing LED light therapy treatment.

Vaper or not, LED treatments could do wonders for your skin. Image: iStock

“LED light therapy essentially works by exposing the skin to different wavelengths of light; each of which has a different effect on the skin and comes with a different colour,” says Loneragan, explaining LED red light is particularly effective for stimulating collagen production and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while LED blue light is effective in killing the bacteria responsible for causing acne.

Though there are a number of at-home masks on the market that appear to be more affordable than in-clinic sessions, Loneragan says it’s best to consult with an expert before deciding which option is right for you. 

“An easy way to explain the difference between at-home and in-clinic options is to picture the Healite as a Formula 1 race car and the LED home masks are your Suzuki Swift,” she says. “Both are driving at full speed and will get you to your destination eventually, however, one will take a significantly longer time to arrive.”

“Obviously, avoiding smoking and vaping altogether is my recommendation for radiant and healthy skin; but for those who do vape, I’d suggest keeping yourself hydrated and eating a healthy diet as a means of limiting the impacts of vaping. Of course, using sunscreen daily is also a must,” concludes the dermal therapist.

Originally published as This is what vaping does to your skin