SAEDNEWS: Smoking is one of the ways that negatively affects the skin and hair, making individuals look older. There are over 4,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke, many of which are triggers for the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Stay with us as we explore the harmful effects of smoking on skin and hair.
According to SAEDNEWS, Having an attractive appearance is highly important in various social, family, and professional situations. The importance of appearance is such that it directly impacts a person's self-confidence. Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke leads to premature aging and severe skin issues on the face and body.
The signs of aging you see in the mirror are a reflection of events occurring at a microscopic level. It's important to understand this concept, because what you do to restore and repair your skin cells happens first at the cellular layers of your skin, and the effects won't be visible until at least five weeks later.
One of the signs of premature aging caused by smoking is the development of wrinkles around the lips and crow's feet around the eyes appearing earlier than usual in smokers. One of the reasons for premature skin aging in smokers is insufficient blood circulation, which leads to inadequate oxygen supply to skin cells.
Smoking and tobacco use over time reduce the skin's elasticity. Smokers will experience skin stretching as a side effect. This issue does not only affect the skin on the face of smokers; over time, the skin's elasticity decreases across the entire body. As a result, smokers may notice this unusual and unpleasant condition on other areas of the body. The effects of smoking on the skin, particularly the loss of elasticity, are most noticeable in the chest and upper arms.
If you are a smoker, it's important to know that the risk of developing skin cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), is 52% higher compared to non-smokers. SCC is the second most common form of skin cancer.
This type of skin cancer is most commonly found around the lips and mouth area in smokers. Doctors attribute the increased risk of this condition in smokers to a weakened immune system caused by the toxic substances in cigarettes. Skin cancer is one of the most serious side effects of smoking and requires increased attention.
Psoriasis is a skin condition characterized by itching, redness, and scaly patches on the surface of the skin. Stress is one of the contributing factors for this condition. Another factor that can trigger psoriasis is smoking. Doctors attribute the higher prevalence of psoriasis in smokers to the nicotine found in cigarettes.
Nicotine affects the immune system, leading to skin cell infections and accelerating the spread of infected cells, all of which contribute to the rapid onset of psoriasis.
Smoking increases the risk of developing psoriasis by up to two times compared to non-smokers, with this risk rising depending on the amount of daily cigarette consumption. In female smokers who smoke 20 cigarettes or more per day, the risk increases by 2.5 times, and in male smokers, it can be up to 1.5 times higher than in non-smokers.
Smoking has negative effects on the healing of wounds. The reduced blood flow and slower circulation diminish the body’s ability to repair itself in various areas. Doctors consistently emphasize reducing or quitting smoking before and during surgical procedures.
Smoking during this time slows down the recovery process after surgery. The patient will not have the necessary capacity to repair damaged tissue during the procedure. Additionally, smoking contributes to the formation of stretch marks, which appear during pregnancy or weight gain. A smoker’s body lacks the ability to regenerate the tissue damaged in the stretch mark areas.
One of the effects of smoking on the skin is poor blood circulation to the skin tissues in smokers, leading to a change in their skin tone, ranging from orange to gray.
Another contributing factor to this condition is the many toxins present in cigarette tobacco. Smokers undergo significant changes in their metabolic system. These changes reduce the body’s ability to repair damage.
Vasculitis refers to a group of autoimmune diseases in which blood vessels become narrowed and inflamed. As a result, blood flow to the heart and other organs becomes more difficult for the body. Smoking creates these types of risks for the skin, and smokers are at a much higher risk of developing vasculitis compared to non-smokers.
Both women and men experience hair loss as they age. However, smoking can accelerate this process. Some studies have even shown that smokers are more likely to develop baldness compared to non-smokers. Taiwanese researchers have also identified smoking as one of the main risk factors for developing male pattern baldness among Asian men.
Many smokers enjoy holding the cigarette between their fingers. However, they may not realize how this habit damages the skin and nails. One of the characteristics of tobacco is that it can stain both the skin and nails. Fortunately, quitting smoking can resolve this issue over time.
If you suffer from a skin condition, quitting smoking is likely to significantly improve your condition. Research shows that quitting smoking reduces the inflammation of blood vessels, which causes many skin-related issues associated with smoking. Your blood circulation, heart rate, and the functioning of your heart and lungs also improve. With the return of normal blood flow, more oxygen and nutrients reach the skin cells, allowing your skin to appear healthier. Overall, quitting smoking helps your body begin to heal itself, enhancing its natural ability to recover from wounds.
