Surprising ways smoking changes your life and looks

There may be no fountain of youth, but there is a surefire way to make you look older: smoking. Loose skin under the eyes is typical for smokers, according to Bahman Guyuron of Case Western Reserve University, and one of several visible signs that tobacco byproducts inside your body are harming your appearance. Poor skin […]

There may be no fountain of youth, but there is a surefire way to make you look older: smoking. Loose skin under the eyes is typical for smokers, according to Bahman Guyuron of Case Western Reserve University, and one of several visible signs that tobacco byproducts inside your body are harming your appearance.
Poor skin tone. Smoking chronically deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients, making some smokers appear pale while others develop uneven colouring. The changes can begin at a young age.
Sagging skin. Many of the more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke trigger destruction of collagen and elastin. These fibres give your skin its strength and elasticity. Smoking or even being around secondhand smoke degrades these building blocks.
Sagging arms and breasts. As skin loses its elasticity, parts that once were firm begin to droop. This includes inner arms and breasts. Researchers have identified smoking as a top cause of sagging breasts.
Lines around the lips. First, smokers use certain muscles around their lips that cause them to have dynamic wrinkles that nonsmokers do not. Second, you have the loss of elasticity. It is a one-two punch that leads to deep lines around the lips.
Age spots. Blotches of darker skin colour are common to the face and hands. Sure you can also get them from spending too much time in the sun, but research suggests smokers are more susceptible.
Damaged teeth and gums. Yellow teeth are one of the most notorious effects of long-term smoking, but the damage doesn’t stop there. Smokers tend to develop gum disease, persistent bad breath, oral hygiene problems and are twice as likely to lose teeth as nonsmokers.
Stained fingers. Think your hand looks cool with a cigarette perched between your fingers. Take a good look at your nails and the skin of your hands. Tobacco can actually stain the skin and nails as well as the teeth. Good news: the stains tend to fade when you quit.
Hair loss. Men and women develop thinner hair with age, and smoking accelerates this process. Some studies even suggest people who smoke are more likely to go bald.