Can Smoking Weed Ruin Your Skin?

Josh Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and the Director of Cosmetic & Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital, has a slightly different opinion: “I’m not telling people to go out and smoke pot all day, but cannabinoid receptors such as THC have anti-inflammatory properties,” he said. As the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, THC is what creates the high you feel. Because of that, possession of a THC-infused product is a no-no in states where weed isn’t legalized, or if you don’t have a med card.

Before you take that as a reason to go light up, consider what Dr. Mona Gohara of Yale New Haven Hospital has to say about smoking in general: “Your lifestyle habits might change after you smoke pot, and that can adversely affect your skin,” she said. “You might smoke and then go eat lots of junk food, or not get enough sleep. Both of those factors can hurt your skin’s health.”