Smoking Piles on the Years

Scientists at Guy's, Kings and St Thomas' school of medicine in London believe to have found conclusive proof that smokers' skin ages prematurely.

The team studied the buttock skin of 14 smokers and 14 non-smokers and found that smoking increases the production of MMP-1, a gene which breaks down collagen causing the skin to lose it's elasticity and appear older.

According to the researchers, this explains why smoker's skin has more wrinkles and why it is often possible to tell if a person smokes simply by looking at their face.

The study revealed that ultraviolet light such as that emitted by sunbeds has a similar detrimental effect.

A separate study carried out at St Helens and Whiston Hospitals, Merseyside suggests heavy smoking may also lead to an increased risk of developing Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid Arthritis affects 1 in 3 people in the UK. It causes joints to become inflammed and the body "attacks" joints and cartilage in an attempt to repair itself.

Smoking produces an antibody called Rheumatoid Factor, which is thought to be a key contributor in the process of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Friday, 30 March 2001