Which picture shows a woman smoking? The woman in picture B smoked half a pack of cigarettes a day for 14 years, while her sister never smoked. Loose skin under the eyes is typical for smokers. This is one of several visible signs (see slides below) that internal disturbances caused by tobacco smoke are reflected in appearance. Smoking affects the condition of your skin, teeth and hair in such a way that it visually adds several years to you. The effects of smoking are ubiquitous, from fertility to heart, lung and bone health.
Uneven skin tone
Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Therefore, some smokers appear pale and some have an uneven complexion. As a rule, in youth the complexion of a healthy person is even, but in smokers it becomes uneven.
Sagging skin
There are over 4000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, and many of them break down collagen and elastin. These are the fibers that give your skin its firmness and elasticity. Smoking and even so-called secondhand smoke destroys the building blocks of the skin. As a result, the skin sags and deep wrinkles appear.
Lines around lips
Smoking is two blows to your lips at once. First, the typical smoker’s wrinkles appear. Smokers use certain muscles around the lips, which creates dynamic wrinkles that nonsmokers do not. Secondly, your skin loses its elasticity. Combined, these factors can lead to deep wrinkles around the lips.
Age spots
Age spots are dark spots on the skin that appear on the face, chest and arms. Although anyone who spends too much time in the sun can develop these spots, research suggests that smokers are more at risk of developing them. In this image, the woman on the right has been smoking and sunbathing for decades, while her sister hasn’t.
Damage to teeth and gums
Yellow teeth are one of the most well-known consequences of long-term smoking, but that’s not all. People who smoke tend to develop gum disease, persistent bad breath, and other dental problems. Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth as non-smokers.
Darkened fingers
Think about it: does your hand look sexy with a cigarette between your fingers? If you’ve smoked for a while, pay close attention to your nails and hand skin. Tobacco can stain not only teeth, but also skin and nails. The good news is that these spots tend to disappear when you quit smoking.
Hair loss
In both men and women, hair depletes as they age, and smoking can speed up this process. Some studies show that people who smoke are more likely to go bald.
Cataract
Even the eyes are negatively affected by tobacco. Smoking raises the risk of developing age-related cataracts. These are blackouts in the area of the lens of the eye that prevent light from reaching the retina. If they cause serious vision problems, they are surgically removed.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic condition that most often manifests itself as hard, scaly patches on the skin – usually on the knees, elbows, scalp, arms, legs, or back. The spots can be white, red or silvery. Recent studies show that smokers are prone to developing psoriasis.
Crow’s feet around the eyes
Wrinkles at the inner corners of the eyes are formed in everyone, but in smokers they appear much earlier and in greater numbers. The heat from burning cigarettes and the smoke make the eyes squint, which is why the so-called crow’s feet appear. Meanwhile, chemicals from inhaled tobacco cause internal damage to the skin structures and blood vessels around the eyes.
How does quitting smoking affect your appearance?
Quitting smoking can significantly improve your appearance. With increased blood flow, your skin receives more oxygen and nutrients. This contributes to the return of the natural complexion. If you quit tobacco, stains on your fingers and nails will disappear and your teeth will become whiter. In addition, the health benefits of smoking cessation are numerous.
Can you quit?
Experts agree that quitting cigarettes is difficult, but possible. I know people who did not do it on the first try and quit gradually, but I also know those who quit right away with an effort of will, for example, my husband, who one day, while on vacation, quit smoking.
According to statistics, there are at least 48 million ex-smokers in the United States alone. If 48 million people were able to quit, then it’s doable. Just keep in mind that most people have to try to quit a few times, and only 4-7% succeed without help.
11 helpful tips for quitting smoking
1. Understand why you want to quit smoking
Why did you decide to quit? “Because it’s harmful” is not the best answer. To get a motivated answer, you need powerful, individual reasons that drive you to quit smoking. Maybe you want to protect your family from secondhand smoke. Maybe the thought of cancer scares you. Or maybe you want to see and feel younger. Choose an appropriate reason that outweighs the urge to smoke.
2. Don’t throw abruptly
It can be very tempting to throw away your cigarettes and announce your final rejection to everyone around you. But giving up abruptly isn’t easy. About 95% of people who try to quit smoking without therapy or medication end up returning to smoking. The reason is that nicotine is addictive. The brain gets used to nicotine and craves for it. In its absence, symptoms of nicotine withdrawal appear.
3. Try nicotine replacement therapy
When you quit smoking, the lack of nicotine can make you feel frustrated, depressed, anxious, or irritable. Nicotine replacement therapy can reduce these symptoms. Research shows that nicotine gum, hard candy, and patches double your chances of quitting smoking when combined with an intense behavioral program. However, using these products while smoking is generally discouraged.
4. Don’t do it alone.
Tell your friends, family, and coworkers that you are trying to quit smoking. Their encouragement matters.
5. Deal with stress
One of the reasons people smoke is because nicotine helps them relax. After quitting smoking, you will need to find a new way to deal with stress. Try regular massage courses, listening to relaxing music, or doing yoga and meditation. If possible, try to avoid stressful situations for the first few weeks after quitting smoking.
6. Avoid alcohol and other similar “motivators”
Certain activities can increase your urge to smoke. Alcohol is one of the most common triggers, so try to consume less alcohol once you quit smoking. If coffee is your trigger, switch to tea. And if you tend to smoke after meals, find another activity like chewing gum.
7. Clean up your home
After you’ve smoked your last cigarette, throw away all your ashtrays and lighters. Wash all clothing that smells like smoke and clean carpets, curtains, and furniture. Use air fresheners to rid your home of the usual smell. You don’t want to constantly see and smell anything that reminds you of smoking.
8. Try and try again
Relapse occurs in many. Many smokers try to quit several times before quitting for good. Examine the emotions and circumstances that are causing you to relapse. Use this as an opportunity to reaffirm your desire to quit. Once you’ve made your decision, try again by setting the “drop date” next month.
9. Move
Physical activity can help reduce nicotine cravings and relieve some of the withdrawal symptoms. If you feel like reaching for a cigarette, wear roller skates or sneakers instead. Even moderate exertion is useful in this case, for example, walking the dog, taking a walk with a child, or weeding in the garden. This will help you lose weight and distract yourself from an obsessive habit.
10. Eat fruits and vegetables
Don’t try to stick to a diet while quitting cigarettes — depriving ourselves of too much can backfire. Instead, try to eat more fruits, vegetables, and greens. A Duke University study shows that these foods impair the taste of cigarettes. This way they help fight cravings by providing you with healthy nutrients.
11. Drink plenty of water
Drink plenty of water. When you feel the urge to smoke, slowly drink a glass of water. This will not only reduce the need for a cigarette, but it will also help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
Yesterday in the online version of the Elle magazine my article was published about the history of the emergence of the fashion for smoking and how to fight this habit. Read the link.