What Smoking Does To Your Face

Despite decades of research proving the negative impact smoking has on our health, many of us continue to light up and take a drag. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated as of 2019, that 14 out of every 100 people above the age of 18 smoke cigarettes. This means that upwards of 34 million adults have been smoking in the U.S. in recent years. Now we're huge fans of personal choice, but we're also huge fans of giving all the facts. As you've likely repeatedly heard the horrific damage smoking does to your lungs, it's time to come in from a new angle and discuss what smoking does to your face.

In short, smoking will speed up the aging process. Experts at Forefront Dermatology say that smoking prevents your skin from being able to breathe. With every inhale, your blood vessels thin and start to spasm. It's as gruesome as it sounds. The direct result of a lack of oxygen to the skin is premature aging.

The chemicals found in cigarettes are harmful to your skin

Unfortunately, the kind of premature aging that comes with smoking is not a graceful process. Skin will begin to appear dull and yellow and the chemicals found in cigarettes damage skin's strength and flexibility, which can cause one's face to droop and sag (via Forefront Dermatology).

The list of negative effects smoking has on the aging process continues. Dr. J. Taylor Hayes explains the negative impact lighting up can have on your face saying, "Smoking can speed up the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles and other changes to the appearance of your face," (via Mayo Clinic). He goes on to add, "These changes include crow's-feet, pronounced lines between the eyebrows, uneven skin complexion, a grayish tone on lighter skin, deep creases and puffiness below the eyes, wrinkles around the mouth, and thinner lips."

If you are over 18, it is your decision as to whether or not you choose to smoke. But seeing as there are piles of research proving what a danger it is to our health, the damage it does to our face could almost be described as the cherry on top of an already extremely poisonous cake.