[Analysis of knowledge about tobacco smoking influence on skin condition].

Cigarette smoke has a negative influence on the whole human body, but in especially noticeable way on the skin. Nicotine contained in it influences the skin microcirculation and angiogenesis and modifies diversifying of keratinocytes producing an epidermis. Parallelly, cigarette smoke increases degradation of collagen and elastic fibres, forming the basic skin structure. This way it accelerates the aging processes. Nicotine and other compounds of cigarette smoke influence on dermatosis appearance and course. Reactive oxygen species contained in tobacco smoke can initiate and accelerate cancerogenesis. In this research current state of knowledge was examined in questionnaire on: cigarette smoke compounds, harmfulness of smoking on the skin condition and the possibilities of typical "smoker's skin" changes eliminating. The research shows that most smokers do not pay attention to the harmful tobacco effects on the body and as only one compound of tobacco smoke they name nicotine. Smokers have dry, grey and tired face skin with typical wrinkles around mouth. Respondents relatively often receive beauty treatment, giving positive, but short-lived influence on skin condition. Consciousness that permanent improvement of skin condition is only possible with nicotine abstinence do not encourage respondents to quit smoking.