How to Reverse Signs of Aging Due to Smoking

Smoking Is Aging Your Skin Faster… What Can You Do About It?

If you are a smoker, or you use to be a smoker, more than likely you are aware of the health risks that come along with it. You are a big girl, so I’m not here today to lecture you or judge you about your choices. It’s your life and your choice and I respect that. I am, however, going to shine some light on the fact that smoking is aging your skin faster and give you some practical steps to help improve and prevent the damage smoking can cause.

The truth is, smoking speeds up the natural aging process of your skin, which can make you look older than you are. Wrinkles, fine lines, crow’s feet around the eyes, pronounced lines between the brows (the ‘11’), an uneven complexion, a grayish tone (on lighter skin tones), deep creases and puffiness under the eyes, wrinkles around the mouth, and even thinner lips are all changes smoking can contribute to the appearance of your face.

The damage doesn't stop at your face, though. Each skin cell is effected and can age faster. It can cause sagging, wrinkles, dryness, dark spots and discoloration on your arms, legs, chest and other areas of your body. WebMd has a great slideshow put together called ‘Surprising Ways Smoking Affects Your Looks and Life’. It’s very interesting! You can check that out HERE.

Why Does This Happen?

Your Skin Can’t Breath…

Nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow, which reduces the blood flow that delivers vital oxygen and nutrients to your skin cells. You’re essentially ‘choking out’ your skin with every inhale of smoke.

You’re Depriving Your Skin of Vital Nutrients

There are thousands of chemicals neatly rolled up in that cigarette. Combine those chemicals with the lack of oxygen and circulation from the nicotine and you get collagen and elastin breakdown. Collagen and elastin are important for skin strength and elasticity which prevents sagging.

What About That ‘Smoker’s Pucker’?

Smokers use the muscles around their eyes and mouth more than non-smokers. The repetitive movement of the muscles around your lips and mouth cause what’s referred to as ‘smoker’s lines’ or ‘smoker’s pucker’. When you exhale, the smoke tends to end up in your face, so you squint. Squinting causes crow’s feet and the lines between your eyebrows.

You’re Living In Your Own Pollution

Your skin is deeply affected by the environment it is exposed to. When you smoke, you fill the air and your surroundings with toxins that will ultimately settle on your skin. If you smoke in your car or home, this risk increases. Toxins = free radicals. Free radicals = skin damage and premature aging.

Other Signs of Premature Aging & Skin Damage Caused by Smoking

Sagging Skin - Damage to the natural collagen and elastin results in loss of strength and elasticity in the skin’s structure leading to sagging.
Blotchy Complexion - Skin can appear pale, gray, yellowish or blotchy due to decreased blood flow.
Age Spots - Smokers are more likely to develop age spots: small, dark areas of the skin.
Dry / Irritated Skin - Caused by the lack of oxygen and nutrients from the nicotine and the introduction of chemicals
Scarring - Smokers are more prone to scarring and wounds may take longer to heal
Chronic Skin Conditions - Development of conditions like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis are more likely. These conditions may become worse for those already living with them.
Skin Cancer - Smoking increases your risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 52% over non-smokers!

So What Can You Do About It?

Even if you have been smoking, or did smoke, for years and you already see many of these signs of skin aging, all is not lost! There are absolutely steps you can take to help boost your skin’s appearance and have you loving what you see in the mirror again.

I’m going to tell you the absolute, most effective thing you can do is stop smoking. But, wether you choose that route or not is up to you. But, you should know that once you quite, your skin will immediately begin to repair and heal itself and start to fight off those signs of aging. Quitting is the quickest way to improve your skin’s overall appearance. That’s just the facts. Below are other ways you can get headed down the right track.

5 Ways to Improve Your Skin’s Health & Appearance

1) FEED YOUR SKIN

A healthy, balanced diet can help deliver vital nutrients to your skin. When blood flow is decreased, it’s harder for your skin cells to get what they need to thrive. Focusing on healthier food options, drinking more water and the addition of a great multivitamin can be very beneficial.

2) INCREASE CIRCULATION & OXYGEN LEVELS

Moving your body through regular exercise can increase circulation to the skin and help deliver oxygen and nutrients to each cell. This is a great way to brighten up and even out your complexion.

Additionally, finding ways to increase the oxygen in your blood is very beneficial. Practing yoga or breathing exercises are a great way to accomplish this.

3) NURISH YOUR SKIN

Topical TLC is one of my favorite ways to give the skin a little boost of what it needs to look its best and fight off premature aging. Developing a targeted skin care routine can be one of the fastest ways to an improved skin appearance. Choose products that repair damage, help skin heal itself, are hydrating, and will prevent further damage. Proper home-care for a smoker or previous smoker should include the following:

Antioxidants like vitamin C & E - These help fight off free radicals that cause premature aging and can help defend against the harmful effects of the sun
Oxygen - Yes! Oxygen as a skincare ingredient is a thing and it is super helpful for breathing life back into dull, damaged and hypoxic smoker’s skin.
Retinol - A natural form of vitamin A, can reduce fine lines and wrinkles by increasing production of collagen.
Peptides - Stimulate collagen and elastin to increase skin’s firmness.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - These help you shed old, damaged cells and reveal new healthy cells faster. They also help to brighten your complexion.
Sunscreen - Smokers are already at an increased risk for skin cancers, SPF is a MUST to help your skin protect itself. Wear this year-round.

* An added tip: If you aren’t already using an anti-aging eye cream… GET ONE! This one is my favorite and you will LOVE it!!

4) INCORPORATE RED LIGHT THERAPY

Red light therapy has the ability to penetrate the skin and promote collagen production, increase circulation to improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to the cells, and stimulate the production of energy within your skin cells. Energized cells are high-functioning cells that are more resilient to the stressors caused by smoking.

The benefits from red light therapy can increase tissue repair and healing, improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even calm skin disorders like eczema and psoriasis.

5) FOR MORE DRAMATIC RESULTS: COSMETIC PROCEDURES

Let me start by saying, I only recommend you go down this road AFTER you have stopped smoking. Remember, smokers heal slower and tend to have less noticeable results. Cosmetic procedures can be costly. And, while they can provide quicker, more dramatic results for some, smokers tend to not respond as well to treatment and may feel like it was a waste of money.

Once you quit, reward yourself by having a few skin brightening and rejuvenating treatments like chemical peels, micro-needling or laser skin resurfacing done. When you experience the benefits of more youthful skin, it might just motivate you to stay nicotine free!

When deciding on treatments, please do your research and go somewhere that is reputable, trusted and has a knowledgeable, well-trained staff! And, keep in mind…. cheaper is definitely not better.

Now That You Know

The more cigarettes you smoke and the longer you smoke, the more likely you are to develop these premature signs of aging. So, if you needed another reason to stop smoking, add early onset wrinkles and looking older than you really are to the list. Ask yourself if that next cigarette is worth it? Will you answer that question the same way 10 years from now?

And, while some changes to your skin may be permanent - especially if you have or had been smoking for years - the longer you are away from the lighter, the better you skin will start to look. This is even more true if you decide to be intentional and implement what you’ve learned here today!

If you would like help determining the best route to take to start or revamp your skincare regimen and start to turn back the hands of time on the damage smoking has done to your skin, reach out! We can put a step-by-step skincare routine that will have your skin healthier and looking better in no time. You can shoot me an email HERE. I look forward to talk to hearing from you!

~ Dana Lee, L.E.

Here are my favorite product recommendations for reversing and preventing skin damage from smoking:

VITAMIN C CLEANSER (antioxidants, brightening & hydration)
OXYGEN TREATMENT CREAM (oxygen & detoxifying)
RETINOL RESTART REJUVENATION SERUM (retinol & wrinkle eraser)
V ITAMIN E SENSUAL CELL CREAM (antioxidants, repairs, and hydrates)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION GEL 30+ (light-weight SPF)

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Do you have a helpful tip on how to combat the effects of smoking on the skin? Share it in the comments below!