One of the effects of smoking on the skin is premature aging. Smoking causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the top layers of your skin. When blood flow to the skin becomes impaired, it results in oxygen depletion and deprivation of vital nutrients. Under these unfavorable conditions, collagen and elastin become damaged – these fibers give your skin its strength and elasticity. The cumulative effects of inhaling cigarette smoke can produce discoloration, sagging and wrinkling of the skin. The damage is not just limited to your face, smoking can also accelerate the aging process on the skin in other areas of your body. To help improve the appearance of your skin, look for an anti-aging complex that includes topical vitamins and minerals.
