In addition to being detrimental to health, smoking makes us look older, as it accelerates skin aging. But it doesn't stop there. Hair, teeth, and nails are also affected.
Every day, we battle against dehydration, external aggressions like sun exposure and pollution, and are well aware of the villains known as free radicals. However, tobacco is another character that may be speeding up the skin aging process, whether you smoke or are a passive smoker.
The dryness of the skin and hair is just one of the easiest collateral damages to identify, and to observe these changes, it is sufficient to be regularly exposed to tobacco smoke. Furthermore, dehydration of the skin and hair is a trigger for the early appearance of wrinkles in one and fragility in the tips of the other.
Smoking, an enemy. (Unsplash)
When smoking, we introduce into our bodies substances such as tar (associated with cancer development), carbon monoxide (increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases), nicotine (responsible for addiction), and irritants (causing respiratory diseases).
Their presence in our body not only severely damages our health but also affects the appearance of our skin, promoting the appearance of wrinkles or a lack of radiance, among other issues, to our skin; to our hair, potentially contributing to hair loss; and also to our nails, resulting in yellowing due to tar.
Your skin also doesn't want you to smoke. (Unsplash)
How does it affect the skin?
Yes, it's not a rumor: smoking not only accelerates the appearance of wrinkles but contributes to making them deeper, narrower, and more concentrated. A simple look at the wrinkles around a smoker's eyes reveals the well-known "crow's feet," much more concentrated than those of a non-smoker.
The increased number of free radicals disrupts the balance of elastase, a regulator of cell membranes, which, according to Dr. José Vicente Lajo-Plaza, "causes the breakage of the skin's elastic fibers and reduces collagen production." As a direct result of this lack of collagen, the skin loses moisture, volume, and smoothness, contributing to the formation of wrinkles.
Camino Olmedo, an expert in cosmetics and skincare at Laboratorios Phergal, also assures us that, in addition to causing more pronounced wrinkles, one of the areas most affected is precisely the lip contour, where more wrinkles, and deeper ones, are concentrated.
Furthermore, Lajo-Plaza also points to the carbon monoxide in the smoke as another factor that hinders the proper functioning of cells because this gas restricts the transport of oxygen through the blood, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the skin.
Another obstacle that smokers' cells face is vasoconstriction and the resulting decrease in peripheral circulation, this time due to another tobacco ingredient, nicotine.
Okay, smoking causes more wrinkles, but that's not the only sign of aging that contributes to skin aging. The proliferation of skin spots is also a direct consequence of exposure to nitrogen dioxide and high levels of ozone. Therefore, we lose the even tone of our complexion and its radiance. Laboratorios Phergal points out that this premature skin aging leads to dehydration and a dull tone, resulting in a loss of radiance. But that's not all because smoking can also lead to the appearance of stains around the fingers.
Whether you smoke or not
Although the impact of smoking on our skin is directly related to the degree of consumption, according to a publication in the journal of the Spanish Academy of Dermatology (AEDV), tobacco smoke also affects passive smokers, those who are in a smoking environment and are exposed to tobacco smoke.
The skin is highly sensitive to tobacco. (Unsplash)
The AEDV's Piel Sana Foundation gave an example: "At a party with many smokers, the skin is attacked by 10,001,014 free radicals and the body's defense system is completely overwhelmed." Free radicals disrupt the proper functioning of cells, causing oxidative stress, which accelerates skin aging. Naturally, we are not at parties filled with tobacco every day, but it helps to graphically imagine the impact of these toxins.
Pharmacist Meritxell Martí also points to the dirt from tobacco smoke on the skin: "It can increase the likelihood of developing psoriasis and eczemas, both in passive smokers and smokers." The impact of tobacco smoke varies depending on the duration of exposure.
Surprise! Hair is also affected
Just as it affects the skin, smoking can directly affect hair health, promoting hair loss, among other things. Meritxell Martí states that, as a consequence of the vasoconstriction caused by nicotine, neither oxygen nor nutrients reach the hair follicles, which can destroy them.
Your hair doesn't like smoking either. (Unsplash)
In addition to hair loss, smoking can also lead to dull, dry hair due to the consumption of tobacco and exposure to its smoke. The ends become more brittle, and the hair loses its luster.
Let's talk about lip cancer
Both the heat generated by the cigarette and the chemical compounds in the paper, including cancer-causing benzopyrenes, increase the likelihood of developing lip cancer. The exposure to the sun is also cited by the AEDV as another major contributing factor.
Your lips are also affected. (Unsplash)
How to counteract the damage of smoking
Of course, the first, most important, and effective step is to quit smoking immediately. Another highly useful aspect is to maintain a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, particularly in vitamin C, as explained by Meritxell Martí. Chlorophyll, found in green leafy vegetables, as well as foods containing flavonoids.
The pharmacist also emphasizes the importance of properly cleansing the skin and recommends using cleansing foams: "A smoker cannot clean their skin properly with micellar water alone," says the pharmacist, who also recommends emulsions as they are rich in essential oils.
Don't forget to exfoliate the skin twice a week to remove dead cells and stimulate skin renewal. Another tip from Martí is to use masks made from ingredients like yogurt, a probiotic that can improve skin defenses.
According to Laboratorios Phergal, in addition to maintaining proper hygiene, it is advisable to moisturize, complement these practices with specific antioxidant and anti-aging treatments for the lips, and provide specific care for hands.