Smoking influence on the skin quality of white women

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of smoking on the skin quality of Caucasian women by analyzing collagen, elastic fibers, and vascularization.

Methods:

Histological and morphometric analysis was carried out on the pre-auricular flaps of 78 women undergoing facial cosmetic surgery. The patients were paired (n = 39) based on age, to form a group of smokers and another of non-smokers. Collagen types I and III were quantified using Picrosirius Ultra red staining, Weigert staining was used to analyze elastic material, and anti-CD34 immunostaining highlighted blood vessels.

Results:

Dermal density of both types of collagen decreased with age in both groups. The decrease in type I was higher in the dermis of smokers aged 50-59 years (p = 0.019). Elastic material increased in the dermis with age, becoming fragmented, thickened, and disorganized, particularly in 50-59-year-old smokers (p = 0.006). Moreover, in smokers, a gradual and significant increase in the number of microcirculatory vessels also observed (p = 0.008).

Conclusion:

The skin of women who smoke contains less collagen (type I in particular), more degenerated, fragmented and thickened elastic material, and a greater number of blood vessels.

Keywords:
Skin; Women; Collagen; Elastic tissue; Microcirculation; Smoking