Is Smoking Weed Good for Your Skin?
Cannabis in all its forms is all the rage nowadays just like engagement ring tattoos. Many states have legalized smoking marijuana, and there’s even CBD oil forms of it. Naturally, CBD-infused products have begun to infiltrate themselves onto the beauty market where they’re found in everything from bath bombs to lip balms and even a sedative during laser hair removal.
This hails the question: is weed good for your skin since we’re finding it in so many beauty products nowadays?
According to dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group, CBD oil has anti-inflammatory properties that work with the pain receptors in the skin and keep the skin from being as inflamed. Therefore, it has some properties that are good for the skin.
Okay, so that covers CBD oil, but what about smoking weed?
Is smoking weed good for your skin? We’re asking for a friend…
According to Dr. Nazarian, the simple answer is no. While she’s a fan of topical CBD oil, she states that when you smoke weed, it constricts your blood vessels like smoking does, and this decreases your blood flow and leads to death of skin cells and the formation of ulcers.
On the flip side, Dr. John Zeichner, MD, Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, says that smoking weed can cause acne decrease inflammation somewhat. The reason for this is that cannabinoid receptors like THC do have some anti-inflammatory properties. However, he also cautions people that THC is the chemical that creates the high feeling, so having products that are infused with THC is illegal in the states that haven’t yet legalized marijuana.
Of course, there are also the lifestyle factors to consider as well. Dr. Mona Gohara of Yale New Haven Hospital says that if you engage in some of the lifestyle habits associated with smoking weed, then it could actually offset any benefits you might gain from it. Smoking weed can induce the “munchies,” cravings for greasy and unhealthy foods in general. For instance, if you light up, get high and then eat a bunch of junk food or don’t get enough of the right kind of sleep, then you could adversely affect your skin’s health since proper sleep and nutrition are key elements to maintaining healthy skin.