Vapes accelerate skin aging

The use of electronic cigarettes among young people has raised alarm bells among doctors. In the beauty field, Dr. Renata Melo emphasizes that the use of the famous ‘vapes’ can accelerate skin aging. It is important to make it clear that just like traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes also contribute to premature aging, as they contain substances like nicotine that increase the production of free radicals and disrupt the skin's natural functioning, making wrinkles, spots, and sagging visible quickly. Additionally, she states that wrinkles appear due to the repetitive movements of facial muscles, and skin dryness is evident among smokers, causing collagen loss.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology also concluded that electronic cigarettes can cause harmful dermatological manifestations, including stomatitis, burns, itching, and redness on the lips and hands. According to her, young people in their 20s are experiencing skin changes that would typically be seen in the long term. “The emergence of wrinkles and more yellowed skin has been appearing earlier, along with sagging,” she says.

Renata also emphasizes that there are treatments available that help reverse these damages and promote rejuvenation. "Today we have various technologies that stimulate collagen production and improve skin quality, such as the use of collagen biostimulators, which promote skin regeneration, restoring firmness and volume,” she explains. Another procedure: “The Ultraformer MPT is a micro-focused ultrasound technology that reaches the deeper layers of the skin, causing a lifting effect, improving sagging, and redefining facial contours, in addition to stimulating natural collagen production,” she points out. Although these treatments exist, along with daily skincare, Renata suggests that 'vapes' should be avoided. “They are harmful to the skin and to the body as a whole,” she says.

In Brazil, the sale of electronic cigarettes is prohibited, according to a resolution from the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). Revised, the new regulation replaces the 2009 resolution and tightens the existing rules, also prohibiting the production, distribution, storage, and transportation of Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) within the national territory.