Changes of oxygen content in facial skin before and after cigarette smoking.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Cigarette smoking not only causes systemic health problems, but may also be an underlying cause of premature skin aging. Cigarette smokers frequently have morphological changes in facial skin that may be attributed to reduced oxygen in this region. The purpose of this study was to measure the oxygen content in facial skin before and after smoking.

METHODS: Twenty-five volunteers participated in this study. Changes in oxygen content of the facial skin were measured before and after 30 min of cigarette smoking. Skin temperature and oxygen content were evaluated in the periorbital and periolar regions.

RESULTS: There was a significant increase in temperature after smoking. The oxy hemoglobin and partial pressure of oxygen decreased in both the periocular and perioral areas after smoking. There were no changes in deoxy hemoglobin and partial pressure of carbon dioxide at these areas.

CONCLUSION: Significant changes were seen in temperature and oxygen content after only 30 min of smoking. The results from this study suggest that alterations in the skin temperature and oxygen content in facial skin after smoking may be an underlying cause of premature skin aging.