Vaping is a relatively new phenomenon of inhaling vaporized liquids that contain nicotine. It's most commonly done using electronic cigarettes (or "e-cigarettes") and is popular with young adults who may not be old enough to buy cigarettes or other tobacco products.
The use of e-cigarettes has increased dramatically in recent years, particularly among adolescents and young adults. According to data from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS), an estimated 3.6 million middle schoolers reported ever using an e-cigarette in 2018—a 42% dramatic increase from 2017.
This increased efficiency has led many people who struggle with addiction to try e-cigarettes as an alternative method to traditional cigarettes. However, there are some concerns about whether or not vaping might have negative side effects on its own—especially when it comes to acne!
However, there isn't much evidence showing that vaping causes serious health problems—and even less evidence shows it. But the question is: can vaping cause acne? In this blog post, we'll discuss the link between vaping and acne, what causes it, and how to prevent it from happening in the future. Let's get started!
Causes of Acne
Many are asking, "Can vaping cause acne"?
Acne is one of the most common skin conditions in the world. It affects up to 50 million Americans and is especially common in teenagers. Acne occurs when the pores of your skin clog up with oil and dead skin cells, which causes pimples to form.
Genetic Factors
Acne is a condition that is passed down from parents to children through genes. Someone with a family history of acne is more likely to develop this skin condition than someone who does not have an acne-prone family.
Hormones
Hormones are responsible for producing sebum, an oily substance that lubricates your hair and skin. When hormones fluctuate, they can cause more sebum to be produced than usual. This can cause clogged pores, which leads to acne breakouts.
Hygiene
When washing your face with soap and water alone does not keep acne at bay, it may be time to switch up your routine. You must use special cleansers or face washes designed specifically for people with oily skin or blemishes. You should also avoid touching your face frequently during the day as this can lead to blackheads and whiteheads.
Lifestyle habits
Lifestyle habits also affect whether or not you'll develop acne: smoking and drinking alcohol increase your risk of developing the condition because they dehydrate skin and make it more susceptible to breakouts.
Unhealthy diet
Another common cause of acne is diet. Certain foods are known to cause outbreaks in some people with sensitive skin or predisposed to developing acne. These foods include:
chocolate
nuts and seeds
dairy products (such as milk and cheese)
soybeans and other legumes like peanuts
starches (such as bread made with white flour)
refined sugars (such as table sugar
fried foods and other greasy foods
processed meats (like hotdogs or sausage)
Excessive sweat
Sweating heavily or being in humid weather conditions also can cause acne because they make the pores on your skin swell up with excess moisture, which leads to clogged pores and bacteria growth.
Touching the face
Excessively touching your face causes acne by spreading bacteria from one part of your face to another. This bacteria can build up in certain areas of your face over time, leading to breakouts.
Health Risks of Vaping
Vaping is a popular alternative to smoking cigarettes, but there are many health risks associated with this practice.
The most common health problems caused by vaping are:
Dehydration
The vapor in e-cigarettes can dehydrate your skin, making it more prone to wrinkles and premature aging. It can also damage the elastic fibers in your lungs, which will make it more difficult for you to breathe.
Premature Aging
The nicotine in e-cigarettes causes your skin to wrinkle prematurely. This can make you look older than you are and may lead to other health problems. E-cigarettes also reduce the amount of collagen in your skin, which helps keep it firm and elastic.
Reduced Wound Healing Ability
Nicotine has been shown to reduce the speed at which wounds heal. Vaping can cause blood vessels in your skin to constrict, which will make it difficult for wounds to heal properly.
Lung & brain damage
Some studies suggest that electronic cigarettes may be as bad for your heart as regular cigarettes because they contain similar toxic substances (e-cigarettes also contain heavy metals like nickel and cadmium). These same toxic substances may also negatively affect your lungs and brain function.
Other Health Risks of Vaping
Respiratory Problems
Respiratory problems are the most common side effect of vaping. This can include wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. These symptoms can be caused by inhaling propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG), used in e-cigarettes to produce vapor. While both substances are considered safe when ingested, they have been shown to irritate the lungs when inhaled.
Cardiovascular Risks
One of the most common health risks of vaping is the risk of cardiovascular disease. Vapers are exposed to nicotine, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Nicotine is also a vasoconstrictor, meaning it causes your blood vessels to narrow and your heart rate to increase. If you have an existing heart condition or suffer from hypertension, these effects could be exacerbated by vaping.
Other Skin Conditions
Vaping can cause many health problems, including acne, psoriasis, and skin cancers. Researchers have found that e-cigarette vapor contains toxic chemicals that can cause skin damage and even lead to cancerous tumors.
These cancers can spread quickly if not treated early on. Vapers should be aware that they need regular check-ups with their doctors to ensure they don't miss any signs of these diseases developing in their bodies.
Prevention of Acne Caused by Vaping
Quit Vaping
If you want to prevent acne caused by vaping, the best thing you can do is quit vaping. This will allow your skin to heal from any damage that has already been done and prevent further damage.
Maintain Good Skincare Habits
Even when not using an e-cigarette or other vaping device, you must maintain good skincare habits so your skin stays clear and healthy. This means washing your face twice daily with a gentle cleanser and moisturizing after each wash (especially if you are prone to dryness).
It also means avoiding harsh makeup removers and exfoliants, which can irritate the skin even more than using an electronic cigarette or other vaping device.
Maintain a Healthy Diet and Lifestyle
Maintaining healthy diet and lifestyle choices will also help prevent acne caused by vaping. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables will provide antioxidants that can help reverse the damage done by long-term smoking or vaping habits.
Treatment of Acne Caused by Vaping
The treatment of acne caused by vaping is a tricky thing. There are many different options, but it's important to find the right one for you. You should consult your dermatologist if you have any questions or concerns about your acne and what treatment options are best for you. Here are some options:
Topical Treatments
Topical treatments can be used to reduce acne caused by vaping and get rid of excess oil on your face. These include products like cleansers, toners, and lotions. You can find these at any drugstore or online.
Oral Medication
Oral medications are typically recommended after all other treatments have failed to work or if they cause too many side effects. These medications can help by reducing inflammation in your skin and decreasing the amount of oil production in your hair follicles, which can help prevent acne breakouts.
However, oral medications may have serious side effects such as liver damage or bone weakening, so they should be taken under a doctor's supervision only if necessary.
Laser Therapy
Many people choose laser therapy as an alternative treatment for acne caused by vaping because it doesn't require any medications or creams. It uses light energy to destroy acne-causing bacteria without damaging healthy tissue underneath skin surface layers where bacteria live.
Conclusion
Before this blog concludes, can vaping cause acne?
The answer is: YES!
It's important to note that the link between vaping and acne is still being studied, so there's no way to know for sure whether vaping is directly causing it. However, as of now, we know that vaping can cause acne breakouts.
If you're worried about your acne and want to quit vaping, or if you've already started to experience acne breakouts and are wondering if the two are linked, seek medical attention immediately. Your doctor can advise you on how to treat your acne while quitting vaping and help you figure out what steps are best for you moving forward.
