4 Ways Smoking Affects Your Appearance and How to Address Them

Cigarette smoking poses numerous threats to one’s health; it can lead to life-threatening conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. But concerningly, research from the Journal of Pathology has confirmed that cigarette use can likewise negatively impact your appearance. When the carcinogens found in tobacco smoke are absorbed through the oral cavity, lungs, and skin, it can lead to a decline in skin function and cause teeth and hair loss.All that said, this article will expound on the ways in which smoking affects your appearance and how you can address them.

1. It can result in hair loss

Findings from a 2021 Library of Medicine report on smoking revealed that cigarette use is a renowned risk factor for alopecia (which is a type of hair loss). This is because the substances present in cigarette smoke can cause dysfunction in your hair papilla, which are cells that promote hair formation and growth to overcome hair loss, it’s crucial to supplement your efforts to quit with practices that can restore your hair health. First, utilize anthralin creams, which are applied to the hairless patches once a day, to stimulate the immune system and encourage hair growth. Similarly, hydrocortisone ointments are also beneficial in improving your hair’s state as they can decrease the inflammation of hair follicles. In any case, using these items alongside your smoking cessation plan can revitalize your hair.

2. It compromises oral health

Smoking heightens the risk of nearly every oral condition, and this includes tooth loss and teeth discoloration. As shared by a Periodontology 2000 article on cigarette products, this is because tobacco smoke contains compounds that can cause tooth decay and stain teeth. One way to prevent this from happening is by utilizing nicotine alternatives like nicotine pouches. These products are easy to use, as you simply need to tuck them in between your cheeks for a kick of nicotine. As the tobacco-free nicotine pouches you can buy online at Prilla.com show, they neither generate smoke nor produce any foul-smelling odor. They not only mimic the sensation of chewing tobacco without the consequences of stained teeth, they’re also available in different flavors to provide a more satisfying experience. By using nicotine alternatives, you don’t have to worry about tar and other chemicals present in tobacco affecting your oral health.

3. It can quicken skin aging

Skin aging is perhaps one of the most observable ways smoking can affect your looks. Chronic inhalation of tobacco smoke can endanger your skin’s elastic fiber network, which in turn, results in the formation of wrinkles and fine lines, a gray-colored complexion, and a loss of elasticity.Thankfully, you can impede premature skin aging by quitting smoking. Alongside your smoking cessation efforts, it’s also important to keep your skin moisturized. Our post ‘5 Timeless Beauty Hacks Everyone Should Know’ recommends putting on a cucumber and banana mask to quench dehydrated skin. It’s easy to make; you only need to finely chop a cucumber, mash the banana, and mix these ingredients into a paste. Apart from that, a write-up on NPR.org states that sunscreens are vital to achieve healthy and youthful-looking skin. Of course, remember that using these skincare items has to be in conjunction with your quit plan to effectively slow down skin aging.

4. It can lead to psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes individuals to struggle with thick red skin and itchy, scaly patches. According to the referenced Library of Medicine report, tobacco use can worsen clinical symptoms of psoriasis. This is because the chemicals found in traditional tobacco products can trigger chronic inflammation.That said, apart from quitting smoking, there are numerous ways to treat psoriasis. For one, over-the-counter products that contain active ingredients—think urea, salicylic acid, and lactic acid—can reduce swelling and soften scaly patches. If you want to lessen inflammation and reduce the itch, then a mild hydrocortisone ointment can soothe the cracked skin area. By pairing your smoking cessation with these items, you can better quell psoriasis.

Although smoking can negatively manifest in your appearance in a number of ways, it’s not at all impossible to prevent them as long as you keep in mind the above tips.