Cigarette smoking: risk factor for premature wrinkling
Article Abstract:
Cigarettes have long been known to cause lung, mouth, and throat cancers, as well as chronic lung disease, in addition to increasing the risk for cancer of the bladder and heart attacks. A study was performed to assess the risk of premature facial wrinkling in smokers. When measuring exposure to cigarette smoking, doctors refer to pack-years, the number of packs smoked per day times the number of years of smoking. A group of people were divided into groups based on the number of pack-years of cigarettes they reported, which ranged from none to greater than 50. The temple regions of their faces were photographed, and the number and depth of their wrinkles were evaluated and rated from one to five, from almost no wrinkles to numerous deep wrinkles. After accounting for age, sex, sun exposure, and skin pigmentation, cigarette smoking was strongly associated with significant amounts of facial wrinkling, which increased with the number of pack-years. Another finding of the study was that sun exposure also greatly increased the chance of facial wrinkling. Possible explanations for increased wrinkling associated with smoking include the fact that it produces changes in the tiny blood vessels of the face, and can cause damage to the skin proteins collagen and elastin. Thus, smoking cessation might bring about a decrease in the incidence of facial wrinkling. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1991
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Smoking and wrinkles: Does it matter?
Article Abstract:
The fact that smoking cigarettes causes wrinkles, independent of age, sun exposure, and baseline skin pigmentation, may seem trivial to some. However, this information may be useful if it motivates some people to quit smoking. Merely warning people of the dangers of cigarettes has not been sufficient incentive to get people to quit smoking, as many physicians have found. Advertising in this country focuses on youth and maintaining a youthful appearance. There may be smokers who will be deterred from smoking if they realize that cigarettes will interfere with their ability to maintain that youthful appearance. By focusing on the benefits of quitting, rather than the dangers of continuing to smoke, physicians may achieve better success in smoking cessation counselling. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 1991
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Bupropion to prevent relapse in people who quit cigarette smoking
Article Abstract:
The antidepressant drug bupropion appears to be effective in helping people quit smoking and may prevent weight gain. However, the effect may not last once the drug is stopped.
Publication Name: Annals of Internal Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0003-4819
Year: 2001
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