If you are a regular smoker, you are bound to lose that glow on your face at some point of time. So, xa if you’re looking for a reason to quit, here it is – smoking can cause irreparable damage to your looks. Everybody knows that smoking harms the body’s important organs, such as the heart, lungs and brain. Long-term smoking impacts your appearance by damaging your skin, hair, teeth and more. Here are some of the ways that smoking affects your appearance:
- Wrinkles and Premature Aging: Experts say that smokers look 1.4 times older than non-smokers, on average. This is because smoking slows down the blood supply that keeps the skin hydrated and healthy. The nicotine in cigarettes weakens the skin by damaging collagen and elastin, which results in premature wrinkles and aging in a number of areas, including the forehead, eyes, neck, and chest.
- Dull and Uneven Skin Tone: Smoking interferes with the body’s ability to generate new skin cells, leading to a dull and uneven complexion. The reduced blood flow from smoking causes the skin to lose its healthy glow, leaving it looking ashy and gray. The harmful chemicals in tobacco also slow down the skin’s natural exfoliation process, causing dead skin cells to accumulate.
- Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles: According to a study by John Hopkins, smokers are four times more likely than nonsmokers to report feeling unrested after a full night’s sleep. Research shows that smokers do not sleep as deeply as non-smokers do, and you damage your looks when you don’t get enough sleep. One of the most immediate and evident side effects of less sleep is dark circles under eyes.
- Nail and Finger Discoloration: Nicotine from cigarettes can cause a yellowish discoloration of the nails and fingers. This staining is often most noticeable on the hand used to hold cigarettes and can make your hands look aged and unkempt. This discoloration can also be tough to reverse, even with regular nail care.
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis is an autoimmune-related skin condition that causes outbreak of red, scaly patches on your skin. This disease can affect both smokers and non-smokers, but according to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, smoking can increase the chances of developing psoriasis. It is reported that if you smoke a pack a day, your risks of getting psoriasis increase by 20 percent.
- Yellowish Teeth and Fingers: Cigarettes contain nicotine which causes yellowish stains in the teeth, fingers and nails. Moreover, the tobacco in cigarettes can lead to gum disease by weakening the soft tissue and bone of your teeth. So, not only will your teeth turn dark yellow, they may even fall out over time.
- Cataracts: Smoking greatly raises your risk of developing cataracts. According to one study, smoking increases the oxidative stress on the lens of the eyes and increases the chances of causing cataracts by 22 percent.
- Increased Risk of Skin Cancer: Smoking significantly increases the risk of developing skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma, a common type of skin cancer. Smoking not only damages skin cells but also compromises the immune system, making it harder for the body to repair itself and fight off cancerous changes. Approximately 9 out of 10 fatalities from lung cancer are related to smoking, according to a CDC report. Also, there is a higher chance of getting and passing away from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) if you smoke cigarettes. According to the American Lung Association, 80% of COPD fatalities are related to smoking.
- Type 2 Diabetes Risk: According to the CDC, there is a 30–40% increased risk of type 2 diabetes in habitual smokers compared to non-smokers. Smoking can make it more challenging for diabetics to control their condition.
- Eyesight Issues: Cigarette smoking increases the risk of developing eye issues. It is a reliable source for macular degeneration and cataracts. Smoking-related eyesight issues include glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and dry eyes.
- Slower Healing of Wounds: Cuts, bruises, and even surgical incisions take longer to heal in smokers because the chemicals in cigarettes hinder the body’s normal healing process. Your appearance may be further compromised by infections and scars as a result of this delayed recovery.
- Chance of Developing Other Cancers: Cigarette smoking is linked to several other cancers in addition to the well-established association with lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 20–30% of pancreatic cancers are caused by cigarette smoking. Also, the risk of bladder cancer is three times higher for smokers than for non-smokers. Additionally, smoking cigarettes doubles one’s risk for gastric cancer. Studies reveal a connection between tobacco use and esophageal cancer.
- Damaged Hair: Smoking can damage your hair follicles and lead to thin, weak, and grey hair. Cigarette smoke contains toxic chemicals including ammonia, carbon monoxide, and cell-damaging free radicals which damage the DNA of hair follicles.
- Stretch Marks: Stretch marks are common with rapid weight gain, but cigarettes can be a contributing factor too. The nicotine in cigarettes damages the connective tissue and fibers. This reduces the elasticity of the skin and can lead to the formation of stripy stretch marks along the hips and thighs.
- Scarring: Wound healing would take longer time if you smoke and you may develop scars that are bigger and redder. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction – narrowing of the blood vessels – which can limit oxygen-rich blood flow to the tiny vessels in the body, which causes scarring.
Quitting Smoking
While smoking can have devastating effects on your appearance, many of these changes can be slowed down or even reversed by quitting. Once you stop smoking, blood flow improves, and your body begins repairing itself. Over time, your skin will regain some of its elasticity and color, and your risk for premature aging decreases.
- After 20 to 12 hours of quitting smoking: Blood carbon monoxide levels and heart rate return to normal.
- After a year: Blood pressure and the risk of a heart attack are significantly reduced. Upper respiratory issues and coughing start to get better.
- After two to five years: According to the CDC, the risk of stroke decreases to that of a nonsmoker.
- After 5 to 15 years: There is a 50% reduction in the risk of bladder, esophageal, mouth, and throat cancer.
- After ten years: The risk of bladder and lung cancer is reduced by half compared to current smokers.
- After 15 years: A person who has never smoked has a heart disease risk that is comparable to theirs.
It is never too late to quit smoking. So, take a step forward today and kick the habit to improve your health and restore the skin’s natural glow.
