Tag Archives: Quit smoking

Why Smoking Is Bad for The Skin?

May 25, 2022 By in Beauty Tags: , , , , , , , 3 Comments

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Smoking is bad for your skin in a lot of ways. Not only does it increase your risk of cancer, but it also causes premature aging. Smoking can cause wrinkles, age spots, and other skin problems. In this blog post, we will discuss the harmful effects of smoking on the skin and how to protect yourself from them.

1. Smoking and Skin Aging

Smoking poses severe mucosal and cutaneous effects to users, leading to changes in their skin appearance, including premature wrinkling. The nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke narrow blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin, which decreases blood flow and nutrients that the skin needs to stay healthy. This can cause collagen and elastin fibers in the skin to break down, leading to wrinkles. Skin aging also manifests via the reduction of moisture and vitamin A levels on the skin surface and an overall thinning of the skin.

Smoking also reduces the skin’s ability to repair itself after injury, leading to age spots and other skin problems. In addition, the chemicals in tobacco smoke can cause inflammation and cell damage, which can speed up the aging process. Smoking also leads to a slack jawline and baggy eyelids, making your teeth yellow.

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2. Smoking and Wound Healing

Smoking also delays the wound healing process. Smokers are three times more likely to have problems with wound healing than non-smokers. Studies have shown that smoking interferes with the ability of blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to the wound site. This can delay healing and increase the risk of infection. As a result, it raises death tissue, flap formation, wound infection, and blood clot formation risks. All these are attributed to factors that include, but are not limited to, the following:

-The release of catecholamines, which are hormones that narrow blood vessels

-The production of free radicals, which can damage cells

-A decrease in the production of collagen, which is necessary for wound healing

-An increase in the breakdown of collagen

-A decrease in blood flow to the wound site

Smoking is also known to contribute to leg ulcers’ development and proliferation, especially diabetic foot ulcers, arterial ulcers, and venous ulcers. Therefore, smoking cessation is essential to improve the healing process and reduce the risk of infection and other complications.

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3. Smoking and Infections

Smoking increases the chances of infection severity and impairs the healing process. It increases the risk of developing and proliferation of bacterial wound infections like Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and MRSA.

-It also increases the risk of fungal infections like candidiasis. This is because tobacco smoke contains harmful toxins that weaken the immune system.

-Viral infections like herpes simplex and varicella-zoster are also more common in smokers. This is largely because smoking damages the mucous membranes, which act as a barrier against infection.

-Smokers are also at an increased risk of pneumonia and tuberculosis. Smoking damages the cilia, which are tiny hair-like structures that line the respiratory tract. These cilia help to remove mucus and bacteria from the lungs.

-Smokers are also more susceptible to ear infections. This is because smoking damages the Eustachian tube, a small passageway that connects the middle ear to the back of the nose. This can cause fluid to build up in the middle ear, leading to infection.

-Smokers are also more likely to develop cataracts. This is because smoking damages the proteins in the eye, leading to the formation of clouds on the eye’s lens.

-Smokers are also more likely to develop osteoporosis. This is because smoking decreases the amount of calcium in the body, leading to bone loss.

4. Smoking and Skin Cancer

Cigarette smoking raises the chances of cancer on the skin. It is not just people who smoke cigarettes at greater risk, but anyone exposed to secondhand smoke. Studies have shown that people who live with smokers have a 20% to 30% greater chance of developing skin cancer. In addition, 75% of people with oral cancer are smokers. This is because tobacco use can cause changes in the skin that make it more susceptible to cancer.

Smoking also increases the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. This happens because the harmful chemicals in cigarettes damage the DNA in skin cells. Hence, smoke cessation is one of the best things that a person can do to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.

5. Smoking and Psoriasis
Many studies have shown that smoking is a risk factor for developing psoriasis. Smokers are two to three times more likely to develop psoriasis than non-smokers. Smoking can damage the skin and make it more susceptible to infections.

Smoking also increases the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, a type of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. People who smoke are also more likely to experience more severe symptoms of psoriasis. This is because smoking induces inflammatory responses in the body, which can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis.

If you have psoriasis, quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to improve your condition. Quitting smoking can help to reduce the severity of your symptoms and may even lead to remission.

6. Smoking and Oral Diseases

Smokers are more exposed to various oral diseases, including gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancer. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects the tissues in the mouth and throat.

Smokers are also more likely to develop leukoplakia, which is a condition that causes white patches to form on the inside of the mouth. Leukoplakia is a precancerous condition that can lead to oral cancer.

7. Smoking and Vascular Disease

Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarettes damage the lining of the arteries, leading to a build-up of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance that consists of fat, cholesterol, and other materials. When plaque builds up in the arteries, it narrows them and makes it harder for blood to flow through. This can lead to vascular disease, a type of heart disease.

To sum it up, smoking is extremely harmful to your skin. It accelerates the aging process, increases your risk of developing wrinkles and other skin problems, and can even lead to skin cancer. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do for your skin.

 

Reasons to Quit Smoking

September 22, 2017 By in Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 30 Comments

Many smokers start smoking from their teenage years, mainly due to peer pressure and got hooked. I know many smokers today, who started smoking in high school just because everyone else was smoking and they wanted to feel cool. Many years down the line, they realise the damage they are doing to their health, and try to quit smoking but find themselves struggling.

I recently came across this infographic by Aquavape, all about people’s top flavours, the percentage of people who switched from smoking cigarettes to vaping, and how many people believe it is healthier. This infographic came about as a result of a survey recently carried out by Aquavape, and I found the results very interesting.

Like I mentioned in my previous vaping posts, smoking e cigs/ e cigarettes is healthier than smoking tobacco cigarettes and it is a great way to quit smoking altogether.

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I first heard about Vaping some years ago, and I had the opportunity to review some e cigs/e cigarettes. I found the idea of vaping very interesting and useful for those struggling to quit tobacco smoking. Most smokers know the damage smoking tobacco cigarettes does to their body, but they are unable to stop for various reasons. This is where e cigarettes come in. They are a great way to help with the nicotine cravings and carry a fraction of the risk of tobacco cigarettes. So smoking e-cigarettes is a great way to quit smoking eventually, and it is even backed by the NHS Stoptober Quit Smoking Campaign for the first time this year, which is fantastic news for millions of people.

 

Reasons to Quit Smoking

 

To Improve your health

Smoking tobacco cigarettes can do a lot damage to your lungs. This damage can lead to life threatening diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer. The best time to stop is now. So if you are struggling to quit smoking, you should research vaping/e cigs to see if that is your best alternative.

 

To save money

Tobacco smoking can be very expensive. You could save around £250 a day if you were smoking a packet a day. That is money you can put to good use.

 

To protect your loved ones

Quitting smoking can help protect your loved ones from harmful secondhand smoke. This would reduce their risk of developing asthma, meningitis, cancer and other secondhand smoke related diseases.

 

To smell good

If you smoke or you know anyone that does, you would know all about the concentrated smell of cigarettes that just does not go away. It stays on their clothes, bags, shoes, anything and everything. This may sound vain but it bothers me a lot. If you are a regular reader of Fashion and Style Police, you would know all about how I like to smell good. I even a whole post on how to get rid of body odour. So you know how important good smells are to me. I guess this is also another good thing about vaping, since e cigs come in various nice smelling flavours.

 

Are you trying to quit smoking tobacco cigarettes? How are you finding it? Have you tried e cigarettes?

 

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The Benefits of Vaping

June 27, 2017 By in Lifestyle Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 13 Comments

I love writing opinion posts. It gives me an avenue to air my sometimes controversial views, and hear from others as well. The comments section on my opinion posts usually goes lit, which is always good. I learn from my readers and they learn from me, so it is a win-win situation regardless of how you see it. My opinion post today is all about the benefits of vaping and why e cigarettes are better than the regular cigarettes.

The vaping industry has recently explored with a variety of e-cigarettes available in different flavours and from many brands. Today, there is no need to put your health in harm’s way if you need to smoke (emphasis on the need). There are various alternatives available, so you can puff away without having to worry about tobacco dangers.

 

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For those who are new to the vaping term, here is an easy definition for you by the guys at Quit Smoking Community –

 

“Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the water vapor produced by an electric device called vaporizer (or e-cigarette).”

 

 

If you are thinking of giving up smoking but struggling to quit, you could try vaping. Here are some of the benefits of Vaping for those who are contemplating quitting smoking but not aware of Vaping  –

 

  1. Vaping is tobacco free and in some cases nicotine free.
  2. There is no harmful smoke. It is all vapour.
  3. No bad smell or breath. E-cigarettes smell much better, they usually have a sweet, fruity, or minty fragrance.
  4. There is a variety of e-cigarettes available in various flavours, so you have options.
  5. No need for dirty ashtrays or cigarette burns.
  6. E cigarettes are more economical than regular cigarettes in the long run.
  7. The chances of getting cancer and other smoke related illness are reduced with Vaping.

 

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So is Vaping safe? Here are some answers from the professionals –

“Vaping is at least 95% safer than smoking.” Public Health England

Vaporizers are many times less harmful than traditional tobacco cigarettes, and Vaping can even help smokers quit. American Heart Association

The proven advantages of Vaping outweigh its “potential” harms. Vaporizers are the first genuinely new way of helping people quit smoking that we have seen in many years. Royal College of Physicians

 

I believe Vaping is a lot safer than regular smoking, and I think it is a great way to quit tobacco smoking.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.

Thanks for stopping by.

 

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