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World No Tobacco Day 2024: Did you know that smoking also impacts your skin by damaging it? Quitting smoking can do wonders for not only your lungs or heart but also your skin. Smoking not just the lungs or heart but the skin too. Smoking or chewing tobacco can highly affect internal organs like the lungs, and heart, but what about the skin? Skin is one of the human body's largest and most delicate organs. 

Smoking can cause various adverse effects on the skin's appearance such as premature ageing, wrinkles, fine lines, pigmented lips, and sagging of the skin. According to the research, on average cigarettes release up to at least 5000 chemicals such as benzene, arsenic, and formaldehyde, which are extremely harmful and toxic to individuals' skin and overall health.

Smoking And Skin Damage

Dr. Jisha Pillai, consultant Dermatologist and Cosmetologist, Lilavati Hospital said, ‘‘Those who smoke, tend to have skin that is dull, dehydrated, pale, acne-prone, and uneven in tone. This is mainly caused by nicotine (one of the active stimulants in cigarettes), which reduces the blood supply of the skin when released into the body. Excessive smoking can deprive your skin of all its vital nutrients like collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid, essential for keeping your skin firm and supple.  Smoking can highly affect your facial and physical appearance making a 20-year-old skin resemble the skin of a 50-years-old non-smoker.’’

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Effects of smoking on the appearance of the skin:-

• Early signs of ageing
• Appearance of fine lines
• Enlarged pores
• Puffy eyes
• Age spots
• Discoloration of the teeth
• Deeper facial wrinkles and furrows
• Increased sensitivity of the skin
• Loss of natural glow
• Smoker's lines which are concentrated more around the lips, ears, and eyes
• Delayed wound healing properties

Dr Surbhi Deshpande, Dermatologist, Zynova Shalby Hospital said that, ‘‘Smoking is not only harmful to the heart, lungs, or brain but even the skin. Yes, that’s right! If you are a smoker then it will be important for you to quit it without any further delay.  This is so because the toxins in cigarette smoke can fasten the skin’s ageing process by breaking down collagen and elastin fibres, and one will encounter embarrassing issues such as sagging and wrinkles.”

“Moreover, this habit of smoking restricts blood flow to the skin, and one will notice a dull complexion and uneven tone that can become a cause of concern. Smoking is known to trigger inflammatory responses in the skin, worsening psoriasis and eczema. It is better to give up on smoking to improve and save your skin from unwanted damage.’’

Smoking And Its Effects On Skin (Image Credits: Canva)

Excessive smoking is an invitation to various harmful skin diseases such as psoriasis, acne, eczema, Vitiligo Rosacea, lupus, and skin cancer like Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Exposure to tar and nicotine in cigarettes can make your lips look darker and pigmented due to melanin. The lips may appear purple, dark brown, or black, depending on the amount of cigarettes smoked per day.

Vital measures to stop the adverse effects of smoking on the skin

Quitting is the best decision one can make for their overall health and skin. According to various studies, many of the skin changes caused due to smoking such as darkening of the lips or face and staining of the teeth, can be reversed or majorly reduced with this one life-saving decision. 

There are various clinical treatments such as chemical peels, micro-needling, skin tightening treatments, and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, to reverse the damage caused to the skin. It is important to understand that your skin starts to repair itself naturally by restoring the skin to its natural colour, and increases the production of new skin cells, once you choose to quit. 

Certain lifestyle modifications such as eating well-balanced meals that are jam-packed with essential nutrients, vitamins, carbs, and fibres, indulging in physical activities to keep yourself mobile, and getting 7 to 8 hours of adequate sleep can help mitigate the effects of smoking on the skin. 

Benefits of quitting cigarette smoking on the skin:-

• Increased blood circulation
• Improved texture of the skin
• Reduced discolouration and staining around lips, eyes, and teeth
• The process of ageing slows down naturally
• Naturally restores the production of collagen and vitamin C into the skin
• Overall making your skin look nourished and get back its natural glow
• Fewer skin breakouts
• Improves skin elasticity

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