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.