The best way to prevent aging is, “Why do we age?” hidden in the answers to the question. Lifestyle changes, exercise, prevention and correction of environmental, physical and chemical negative factors, that is, active and healthy aging, also play a fundamental role in delaying aging. The negative effects of smoking on our health are well known. However, what I want to mention in this article; effects of smoking on our skin. Because smoking does not only affect our lungs and cardiovascular system.

Our whole body is directly affected by the substances in cigarettes, and unfortunately, women are among those who suffer the most from these negative effects. For this reason, I will tell you the damage that smoking causes to our skin, how it casts a shadow on our beauty, if you are thinking of starting, you should give up this request immediately, and for those who are considering quitting, I will explain the changes that will occur in the skin. Now put the cigarette in your hand aside, curb the urge in your mind and prepare to face your greatest health enemy.

Harm to health and skin

Smoking is one of the most important causes of chronic degeneration and it is not just nicotine. It also contains pitch (tar) and has a constricting effect on the veins. It initiates the premature aging process by creating ischemia (deterioration of tissue nutrition) as a result of narrowed vessels, causing the skin to dry out due to oxygenation and nutrition problems, poor nutrition, wrinkles and scales and discoloration.

Smoking and signs of aging

Smokers (especially for more than five years and around a pack of cigarettes a day) show increased lines, wrinkles, facial dryness, atrophy, and a grayish, dull, dark orange erythema. Especially the wrinkles on the lips are characteristic. In the longer term, a yellowish, coarsened skin appears. In addition, due to the nature of cigarettes, the capillaries narrow, increase the carbon dioxide level in the blood, while the oxygen level decreases. At the same time, blood circulation becomes difficult, vitamin C consumption increases, cell renewal decreases, the healing process of wounds increases, the skin becomes dry and hard. In addition, some studies have shown that smokers have more skin aging than non-smokers.

The effect of smoke inhaled into the lungs on the skin

Smoking irreversibly renders some of the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin in our blood useless. The oxygen required by the skin is restricted by both narrowing of the vessels and a decrease in the oxygen content of the blood. Since the pores of the skin cannot receive oxygen from the blood, they expand and try to get the oxygen they need from outside. This causes harmful UV rays from the sun to damage the skin more. Over time, the skin becomes thinner and sagging. In particular, sagging occurs as the cheek muscles relax.

It has been determined that nicotine in cigarettes reduces water retention in the upper layer of the skin and even has diuretic (water-repelling) effects. Among the reasons for the formation of wrinkles, the decrease in the ability of the cells to hold water comes first. In addition, smoking triggers premature aging by increasing the production of an enzyme (metalloproteinase), which has the task of breaking down collagen, which makes the skin look young and bright as it is smoked, thus causing collagen breakdown. To summarize briefly in one sentence; Smoking ages your skin much earlier.

Improvements in the skin when left

When smoking is stopped, first of all, the effect of narrowing (ischemia) in all vessels disappears. In this way, the skin is nourished by the foods we eat.

The most sensitive part of our skin, under the eyes, is one of the places that will get rid of the negative effects of smoking the fastest. After quitting, the skin around your eyes will improve and your eyes will look brighter and more lively.

The yellowed teeth and darker skin color in the mouth will return to their original state in a short time when you get rid of cigarettes.

Chemical toxic substances in cigarettes negatively affect hair follicle cells, causing hair growth to decrease, shedding and matting. After quitting smoking, the hair becomes more vibrant, healthy and shiny.