Most women are well aware that smoking is hazardous for their health, but they may not realize how much damage this habit can inflict upon their appearance as well. In addition to increasing your risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure, too much nicotine can stain your teeth and even deplete your body’s natural wrinkle reducers.
“[Smoking ]destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen, which is necessary to keep skin firm,” Fredric Brandt, a dermatologist based in New York, told Allure Magazine.
WebMD also notes that smoking can contribute to sagging skin and fine lines because it causes blood vessels to constrict, and thereby prevents the passage of oxygen to living skin cells. Plus, the repetitive action of smoking can increase the prominence of lip lines and other wrinkles around the mouth.
While there are plenty of health-related reasons to give up this habit, the fact that smoking can take such a toll in the form of facial wrinkles and volume loss may be the final push some women need to finally put the cigarettes aside for good.
However, if you’ve already noticed the signs of accelerated aging, there are steps you can take to address them and ultimately regain your youthful appearance. At the Lett Center in Lebanon, Tennessee, we offer treatments including Botox, dermal fillers and face lifts that can smooth out wrinkles and restore a flattering fullness to your face. Contact us today to learn more about your options.