Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Getting Puffy Red Cheeks And Dry Skin After Quitting Smoking. Any Suggestion?
Hi there XXXXXXX
Quitting smoking sure must have been difficult. Qudos to you for the effort.
i doubt the puffy red cheeks & thicker skin has musch to do with the smoking. It is very possible though that nicotine per se was a factor in keeping the redness down. We do use nicotinamide gel in certain types of acne lesions & it may be a factor to consider. Is it possible that you are peri-menopausal. The features you describe are 'rosacea-like ' in nature. Avoid topical corticosteroids. Use a sunscreen with built-in moisturiser daily mornings from XXXXXXX to dusk. Neutrogena has one such product with a moisturiser built-in; the SPF is not that imp 30SPF should be fine. Follow that up with a topical cream evenings called sensibio d.s. from Bioderma.These can be got off the shelf at a pharmacy & will not require prescriptions. If this does not solve the issue at hand, then topical 1% pimecrolimus or 2% metronidazole gel applied evenings may be the order of the day but this is best done in conjunction with a visit to the dermatologist on the ground near you. Do consider the menstrual cycle issue & perhaps any consumption of Oral contaceptives et al may be detrimental along similar lines.
Cheers & wish you a quick resolution & all the best!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Quitting smoking sure must have been difficult. Qudos to you for the effort.
i doubt the puffy red cheeks & thicker skin has musch to do with the smoking. It is very possible though that nicotine per se was a factor in keeping the redness down. We do use nicotinamide gel in certain types of acne lesions & it may be a factor to consider. Is it possible that you are peri-menopausal. The features you describe are 'rosacea-like ' in nature. Avoid topical corticosteroids. Use a sunscreen with built-in moisturiser daily mornings from XXXXXXX to dusk. Neutrogena has one such product with a moisturiser built-in; the SPF is not that imp 30SPF should be fine. Follow that up with a topical cream evenings called sensibio d.s. from Bioderma.These can be got off the shelf at a pharmacy & will not require prescriptions. If this does not solve the issue at hand, then topical 1% pimecrolimus or 2% metronidazole gel applied evenings may be the order of the day but this is best done in conjunction with a visit to the dermatologist on the ground near you. Do consider the menstrual cycle issue & perhaps any consumption of Oral contaceptives et al may be detrimental along similar lines.
Cheers & wish you a quick resolution & all the best!
Dr Praveen Rodrigues MD
Note: In case of any other concern or query related to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, or the recovery of persons with the any type of addiction or substance use, follow up with our Addiction Medicine Specialist. Click here to book a consultation now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
