5 Effects of Drugs on Your Skin

All of us are aware of the health risks of drugs, including heart problems, psychosis, overdose, and even death. We also know that drug use can cause the spread of diseases such as hepatitis and HIV. 

But, although these effects of drugs on your health can be devastating, they are not always obvious until it’s too late. The condition of your skin, however, can often be a good early indicator of the internal damage that drugs do to your body. 

But how and why are drugs bad for your skin? Read on to find out. 

1. Dry and Flaky Skin

Most drugs make your body work harder as a way to flush out toxins. This can lead to dehydration as your skin cells don’t get the fluids they need to function properly. This dehydration then results in dry and flaky skin, as well as sore, chapped lips. 

Cutting agents used in drugs such as heroin can also reduce the amount of moisture that reaches the epidermis, resulting in dry and itchy skin. 

2. Wrinkles

Dehydration and the resulting chronic dry skin caused by drug abuse can also lead to premature aging and wrinkles. 

In addition, drug addicts often neglect to drink water or eat a healthy diet. This makes dehydration worse and can lead to sudden weight loss, resulting in deeper wrinkles and an older appearance.  

3. Acne and Skin Eruptions

Acne is another common sign of drug abuse on your skin. And cocaine use can cause small pus-filled areas of skin known as pustulosis, as well as bullous erythema multiforme, leading to skin eruptions all over the body. 

But it is not just illegal drugs that can cause skin conditions like acne. Addiction to prescription opioids is a growing problem in the US, which you can find out more info about here.

These painkillers can cause dry skin, hormonal changes, and excess sweating. Without adequate hygiene, this can then cause a build-up of bacteria on the skin resulting in spots and acne. 

4. Open Sores

One of the common characteristics of meth users is a ‘drug face’ full of open sores and scabs. 

These sores are the result of dry, irritated skin and acne spots which users pick at until they are left with open wounds on their skin. These self-inflicted wounds then become scabs and scars which take a long time to heal.  

5. Dark Spots and Uneven Skin Tone

Like wrinkles, dark spots are usually a sign of aging. But the trauma of drug abuse can cause dark spots in users from a young age. 

Often, drug users are malnourished, dehydrated, and exhausted. In combination, these can cause color changes to the skin tone, including dark spots, discoloration, and blotches. Drug use can also cause poor circulation, which can lead to dark patches on the skin. 

The Effects of Drugs on Your Skin

As a disease, addiction causes poor health. And when your health is poor, it shows on your skin and complexion. 

Of course, the effects of drugs on your physical and mental health are more of a cause for concern. But the damage that drugs do to your skin is an indicator of the effect they have on your health from the inside out.

To find out more ways that you could be ruining your skin, check out these other bad habits that are destroying your beauty.