London, Sep 18 (IANS) Female smokers are more likely to have acne on their faces than those who do not smoke, a new study shows.
Tobacco smoke is already known to cause cancer and many other health problems. The new study looked at 1,000 women, 30 percent of whom were smokers. The study found that 42.2 percent of the smokers developed acne.
Vitamin E is an antioxidant body gets from various foods. It prevents cell damage. However, it disappears more quickly in smokers than in non-smokers.
The researchers said the smokers in the group had half the levels of skin secretions of vitamin E compared with non-smokers, as well as other variations in skin make-up, reported the online edition of BBC News.
Those who had experienced acne in their teens were found to be four times more likely to suffer acne than non-smokers who had also suffered teenage spots, the researchers said.
However, the link between smoking and spots is controversial and the team from the San Gallicano Dermatological Institute in Rome said other factors may play a role.
Environmental factors were found in half of the 10 percent of non-smokers with the condition. Such factors included the skin being exposed for instance to intense smoke or steam, usually in a place of work such as a kitchen.