HEALTHeNEWS

Distinct lines around the mouth and a dull pallor of the skin often identify long-term smokers in a crowd. Now a study reveals exactly how smoking causes skin to age.

According to researchers, tobacco smoke increased levels of a skin protein called matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1).

This protein causes the degradation of collagen, a compound that keeps skin firm and elastic.

Short of plastic surgery, there is no way to reverse the damage as the disruption of collagen balance is like a scar

The study originally sought to investigate the effect of artificial sunlight on MMP-1 and the findings about smoking were by chance. Ultraviolet light can also increase MMP-1 levels. The researchers looked at buttock skin because that was the area least likely to be affected by sunlight.

The Lancet March 24, 2001;357:935-936