While there’s no such thing as a “fountain of youth,”
there are definitely lifestyle factors that can make you look
older, such as Ultraviolet rays (from the sun and tanning beds) and
smoking. For the purposes of this post, we’re going to focus on the different
ways that smoking can affect your looks and how it accelerates the aging process.
A lot of people are drawn to smoking and they often start when they are
in their teens. Just ask any smoker and they’ll readily say that
smoking reduces their appetite, it helps them deal with stress, and induces
feelings of euphoria and pleasure. All of these aside, smoking affects:
- Skin tone
- Crow’s feet around the eyes (develop earlier in smokers)
- Collagen production
- Skin elasticity
- Lines around the lips
- Age spots (increases the risk)
With over 4,000 chemicals in tobacco (which break down collagen and elastin),
smoking does more than make your
face look older; it can take a toll on your body by causing
sagging arms and
breasts. Research has discovered that smoking is one of the leading causes of sagging
breasts because it breaks down elasticity.
Ever heard of the smoker’s pucker? Because smokers are putting cigarettes
to their mouths, this practice causes lines to develop deep lines around
the mouth and lips. Additionally, those who smoke for long periods of
time tend to develop gum disease, and other oral health problems, such
as tooth loss.
Can Quitting Improve My Looks?
Fortunately, quitting smoking can definitely improve your appearance. After
you quit smoking, the blood flow will improve, giving your skin more oxygen
and nutrients. This process will help restore a healthier complexation.
As you live your life tobacco-free, you’ll notice that your teeth
will get whiter, your lungs will be stronger, and cardiovascular exercise
will be easier.
Once you quit smoking, you can take steps right away to counteract the
skin damage done by years of smoking. These treatments help rejuvenate
the skin of ex-smokers:
- Chemical peels
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Microdermabrasion
- IPL photofacial
- Fractional laser resurfacing
- Injectable fillers, PRP, and fat transfer
Did you recently quit smoking? Or, are you an ex-smoker who’s ready
to rejuvenate your damaged skin and promote collagen production? To explore your
nonsurgical options, contact us to schedule a consultation with our very own
board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Yuly Gorodisky.
Call today to get started.