A resolution that helps your skin
12/29/04
How stopping smoking improves your skin
We all know that aging is a natural biological process that affects all of us. The aging of your skin is also greatly affected by external factors that accelerate this process; particularly smoking.
Exposing our skin over many years to sunshine will give the skin an old wrinkled, blotchy look. Drinking too much alcohol over many years may also give you an older appearance. A study showed that the appearance of precancerous sunspots may be even influenced by your diet. A low fat diet (also certain vegetables, legumes and olive oil) has been shown effective in reducing the number of sunspots (Actinic Keratosis), while a diet high in meat and dairy, might increase their number. (For more information on A.K, visit www.SkinCareGuide.ca)
Cigarette smoking, known to cause lung cancer and encourages heart disease, also has significant aging effects on your skin and hair.
Effects of cigarette smoking on your skin and hair:
• Increases wrinkles, especially if you are a woman
• Can make your complexion red or orange
• Can produce pale or yellowish skin in places
• Causes puffiness
• Don't forget the stains that create those "yellow fingers"
- Brings about premature aging of your skin
- Causes grey hair
- Results in thinning hair, more pronounced in men but also seen in women
- Slows wound healing
- Increases your risk of squamous cell cancer