Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 22: Vaping may be promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, but health experts caution that it can still have harmful effects on the body, including the skin. According to physician Dr Kunal Sood, nicotine-containing vapes may reduce blood flow, increase inflammation and delay the skin's natural healing process, potentially making acne and other skin problems more difficult to manage.

Sharing insights on social media, Dr Sood said nicotine narrows the tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Reduced circulation can slow the healing of acne lesions, cuts, irritation and minor wounds, affecting the skin's ability to repair itself efficiently.

While there is no conclusive evidence that vaping directly causes acne, Dr Sood said it may contribute to persistent breakouts by slowing recovery and increasing inflammation. He noted that people who follow a proper skincare routine but continue to experience stubborn acne or delayed healing may need to consider nicotine as a possible contributing factor.

According to the physician, vaping also exposes the body to oxidative stress and inflammatory chemicals, which can leave the skin looking dull and irritated. Oxidative stress occurs when harmful free radicals outnumber the body's natural antioxidant defences, potentially accelerating skin damage and premature ageing.

Dr Sood emphasised that skincare products alone cannot offset the internal effects of nicotine. Maintaining healthy skin, he said, depends not only on external care but also on factors that influence circulation, inflammation and the body's natural repair mechanisms.

Health experts continue to advise that avoiding nicotine remains one of the most effective ways to protect overall health, including skin health, as research into the long-term effects of vaping continues.