More Reasons to Stop Smoking
Just about everyone knows that smoking can lead to cancer, emphysema and heart disease. But there are a slew of other negative side effects of smoking that may surprise you.
Smoking prevents oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin and deeper tissues because it restricts blood vessels. Smoking also reduces the production of collagen and elastin, which are the fibers that make your skin strong and tight.
Side Effects of Smoking
- Facial wrinkles
- Loose, sagging skin
- Pale, uneven skin tone
- Pronounced lines around the mouth
- Slower wound healing times
- Longer-lasting bruises
- Increased infection risks
- Breakdown of tissue
- Bad breath
- Yellow, damaged teeth
- Stained fingers
- Hair loss
- Cataracts
- Psoriasis
- Loss of bone density
- Fertility problems
- Reduced athleticism
If you are considering having a cosmetic procedure, it is usually required that you stay away from any product that contains nicotine (including patches, gum, e-cigarettes, etc.) for at least two weeks before and after your procedure. But traces of nicotine can remain in the body for years after a person has stopped smoking, and it can still negatively affect healing from any type of elective or medically-necessary surgical procedure.
Respect your body. If you are a smoker, take action to restore your health. And if you want to rejuvenate your appearance after smoking and erase some of the physical damage you’ve done to your skin, contact Dr. Golden at Doctors for Visual Freedom to schedule a Cosmetic Consultation in Chicago. Contact us today at 312-291-9680 or doctorsforvisualfreedom.com.
