click bait never changes or whatever.

yup. i’m tied to unreal engine 5.

(yes, i know there’s a version for linux. i need to be on windows for the latest updates and work though.)

right.

and yea, vasoconstriction is vasoconstriction and we know nicotine (among other stimulants) causes it, and therefore, it’s going to reduce blood flow to the skin. reduced blood flow = less oxygen/nutrients. over time, this can slow down the healing/regeneration process of the skin, which would lead to a more aged appearance. this also effects hair follicles.

there’s not much else to prove here; it’s cause and effect.

well, not quite, but you have the gist.

nicotine patches and gum have been around for quite awhile, and the blood vessel constriction is a fact, and therefore, it will affect skin/hair health.

it’s just to what degree. clearly, it’s more with analog cigarettes where you’re sucking on literal smoke.

i use both, but i never really think about it unless my skin suddenly dislikes it and revolts.

so, yea, convenience wins.

inhaling carcinogenic smoke to get nicotine would age you more, but nicotine itself also has adverse effects by constricting blood vessels, which would affect how much oxygen and nutrients are able to reach the dermal layer. this would also affect hair follicles.

here’s some decent sources for more reading:

E-cigarettes containing nicotine cause blood clotting and make small blood vessels less adaptable

NIH-funded studies show damaging effects of vaping, smoking on blood vessels

it’s certainly possible that the ecigarettes used in the testing here may have altered the results, but it’s not looking pretty.

yeah i’m in my 30s and i get routinely carded at events and people place me in my late 20s still.

a lot of it is genes, but i also: have a good skin care routine, use sunscreen every day, rarely drink alcohol, and use nicotine rarely. those are big factors that shouldn’t be discounted.

HRT really is incredible.