Smoking can cause numerous negative effects, as it puts toxins in the body can that attribute to a number of health problems such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke and respiratory disease. Smoking is damaging to the skin, and if you smoke, you are more likely to develop premature wrinkles and reduce the smoothness of the skin. Even if you have smoked for a long time, you have the opportunity to reverse some of the effects of this unhealthy habit.
Step 1
Stop smoking. According to the Health Promotion Board, your body will be free of nicotine in as little as eight hours. Once nicotine is out of the body, it will start to repair itself from the damage. The risks associated with smoking decrease over time as long as you stay away from tobacco.
Step 2
Eat a well-rounded diet. Smoking can affect your absorption of certain nutrients. Make sure you eat foods high in vitamins A and C, which include milk, eggs, carrots, citrus fruits, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables.
Step 3
Drink plenty of water to hydrate the skin, and steer clear of any dehydrating substances, including alcohol and caffeinated beverages. Since smoking dries out the skin, you don't want to expose it to any substance that worsens the condition. Also, alcohol and caffeine can trigger a craving for cigarette smoke.
Step 4
Apply sunscreen to protect your face from the sun. Along with smoking, sun exposure ages the skin. Reverse the signs of damage by wearing sunblock, moisturizing your skin and avoiding direct sun exposure.
Step 5
Visit a dermatologist. A dermatologist can suggest procedures to reverse the signs of aging caused by smoking. As an example, a chemical peel involves the application of an acidic substance to the skin. The acid removes dead skin cells to give the face a smoother appearance. Plumping agents, such as Botox and collagen injections, can temporarily smooth out the skin to diminish wrinkles around the mouth and eyes caused by smoking.
Things You'll Need
- Sunblock
