Although I think fewer people in my generation do it (perhaps because the health risks were drilled into us from birth), a whopping 19% of adults in the UK still smoke. That's 1 in 5 people puffing on cigarettes despite their repercussions being common knowledge. Although this figure seems surprising, it's actually a step in the right direction; the number of adults who smoke in the UK has halved since 1974, perhaps encouraged by health campaigns and numerous smoking bans. Still, the highly addictive nicotine which can be found in cigarettes keeps people coming back to them, despite being aware of the damage they can do to your health. If you're thinking of giving up cigarettes as part of your New Year's resolution, perhaps the longer-term impact that smoking can have on your health and beauty is something to consider...
1. EYE BAGS
We all know that feeling when you've slept badly for a couple of nights in a row and you feel as though no amount of concealer will cover those damn eye bags. Well, if you smoke, research has found that you will experience this feeling more than non-smokers! Smokers are 4 times more likely to not feel as though they have had a good nights sleep according to studies. This could well be down to feelings of nicotine withdrawal, the stress of withdrawal leading to a bad night's sleep which in turn leaves you with dark circles underneath your eyes. Smoking can also damage eye vessels leaving them looking irritated and bloodshot. No-one wants to look permanently tired!
2. WRINKLES
Although wrinkles are an inevitable consequence of the natural ageing process, smoking can quicken up the signs of ageing appearing on your face. On average, experts say that smokers aged 40 have as many wrinkles as a non-smoker aged 60! The effect of smoking on the ageing process may not be visible in your 20s or 30s but is still happening as you inhale that smoke. It is also said that smoking affects the blood supply to your skin, making it less supple, whilst scientists have found that cigarette smoking also releases an enzyme which breaks down collagen in skin. This will leave skin looking saggy, wrinkly and older than your age.
3. YELLOW TEETH AND FINGERNAILS
One of the most commonly known beauty-related side effect of smoking is the yellow staining around teeth, gums, fingers and nails. The highly addictive nicotine found within cigarettes stains wherever the cigarette is touching. turning them a very noticeable yellow colour that no amount of brushing your teeth can fix! Smoking also increases your risk of developing oral cancers and gum disease, which could possibly lead to you losing your teeth altogether. There are also studies which have found that smoking is responsible for a whopping 40% of all chronic cases of periodontitis- a condition which leaves the sufferer with swollen gums, bad breath and potentially tooth-loss.
4. DULL-LOOKING SKIN
When we think of beauty, we conjure images of natural, glowing skin; this appearance is, after all, continuously linked with youthfulness. As mentioned, smoking affects the visibility of the ageing process on skin, but few people actually know that it can have a huge impact on the immediate appearance of your skin too. Not only are you faced with the drying effects of tobacco smoke, but smoking cigarettes drains vital nutrients like vitamin C (a wonderful antioxident which helps to boost collagen production), whilst the nicotine within cigarettes can reduce blood flow to the skin tissue through the narrowing of blood vessels, meaning insufficient oxygen is supplied to the skin. Dull-looking skin in turn makes you look more tired and older, thus counteracting all the hard work of your beauty lotions and potions!
5. PSORIASIS
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that. although isn't life-threatening in any way, is an incredibly uncomfortable condition from which to suffer. Research has found a strong correlation between smoking and psoriasis. Puffing away on those cigarettes will significantly increase your risk of developing the condition- smokers are up to 3 times more likely to develop psoriasis, with women facing an even higher risk! What's more important to consider is the risk that second-hand smoke might have on those around you; there is also a link between passive smoke inhalation during pregnancy and childhood and an increased risk of developing psoriasis.
6. THIN, GREYING HAIR
The highly toxic chemicals sitting in that cloud of smoke you blow out can affect the DNA in hair follicles and generate free radicals (particles which damage cells, you might have heard of them as a beauty buzz word this year). Recent research has also found a strong link between smoking and hair turning grey faster too; if you're proud of your luscious locks, this long-term effect of smoking those cigarettes might make you think twice.
Although some of these side-effects are caused by nicotine and thus wouldn't be immediately resolved through e-cigarettes or nicotine patches, it is definitely a great place to start as a stepping stone to quitting. Shops like Simply e-Liquid provide everything you would need to get you on track in one place and give you so many options to choose from. Using quitting methods such as e-cigarettes will stop your body being subject to the nasty side-effects listed above that involve the smoke, tobacco and toxins that will heavily impact your appearance. It's at least some food for thought if you are considering giving up smoking as we enter the New Year and start preparing those resolutions!
Have you quit smoking, are currently quitting or thinking about doing so? If you have any helpful tips then please do share them below!
This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Simply e-Liquid however all opinions are my own.
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