The effects of smoking on the face

Your face reveals a lot about you. Did you know that its appearance can indicate to others that you smoke?

The face: a target of cigarette smoke

The face says a lot about a person's mood, reactions and emotions. It can also reveal certain aspects of their lifestyle, and even about their health. Many people are concerned about the appearance of their face and what it reflects. Are you among them?

Did you know that the appearance of your face can reveal to others that you smoke? In fact, the effects of cigarette smoking can be difficult to hide. Here are a few clarifications on the subject.

Effects on the skin

A mere glance is sometimes enough to recognize a longtime smoker. Smoking leads to premature aging of the skin, particularly facial skin. In addition to dying it out, damaging collagen and contributing to the appearance of wrinkles, tobacco dulls the complexion and promotes brown spots. The result: facial skin appears several years older.

Smoking also causes other skin problems, specifically, it can compromise the wound healing process and promote the onset of skin cancers.

The good news is that the benefits of smoking cessation begin to show in less than a month. The complexion recovers some of its colour, dark circles under the eyes diminish, skin recovers some of its elasticity and suppleness, etc.

Here are a few tips for proper daily skin care:

  • Drink plenty of water.
  • Maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
  • Clean your face daily and keep it well hydrated with quality products; ask your pharmacist or cosmetician for advice.
  • Protect your skin from sun rays.

Effects on the mouth

Each time you inhale cigarette smoke, your lips, tongue, teeth, gums and the mucous membranes in the mouth come into contact with smoke. This isn't without consequence!

Smoking can contribute to various problems:

It also increases the risks of:

Smokers can benefit from choosing these simple measures for adequate oral health care:

  • Brush teeth at least twice a day for 2 to 3 minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush. An electric toothbrush could also be a good option.
  • Use dental floss at least once a day.
  • Visit the dentist at least once or twice a year for optimal oral health care and to quickly detect any gum problems.

Obviously, another excellent measure is to permanently quit smoking.

Effects on the eyes

The eyes are not immune to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke. The numerous toxic ingredients come into direct contact with the eyes, causing dryness and irritation. Symptoms such as itching, redness, tingling or scratchy sensation and watery eyes are common. Applying an eye lubricant can be very helpful.

Smoking can also contribute to the development of eye diseases. Here are some examples of eye diseases associated with smoking.

Cataracts

Cataracts develop following the clouding of the lens of the eye. This causes vision problems, including blurred or fuzzy vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)

Smoking increases the risk of AMD, a disease that leads to vision loss by affecting the retina centre, called the macula. It is estimated that the risk of AMD is three times higher in smokers than in non-smokers, and five times higher in heavy smokers.

Diabetic retinopathy

Poor blood glucose control (level of sugar in the blood) leads to the gradual deterioration of small blood vessels in the eye. Smoking accentuates this problem. Diabetic retinopathy is a well-known cause of partial or total vision loss.

Uveitis

Uveitis is the inflammation of the uveal and affects more smokers than non-smokers. The uveal is a specific part of the eye that surrounds the eye ball.

The more you smoke, the more your eyes will be affected by it. Fortunately, you can reverse these effects. Quitting smoking will reduce the risk of eye disease or slow the progression of an existing problem.

See your eye care specialist regularly and follow their recommendations in order to maintain eye health.

Did you know that your pharmacist can help you to quit smoking for good? Speak to them promptly. If you are able to rise to the challenge, you can bet that people will only see a radiant, healthy... and proud face!

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The effects of smoking on the face

Your face reveals a lot about you. Did you know that its appearance can indicate to others that you smoke?
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