How Smoking Can Affect Your Appearance
For many years now, studies and research have shown the negative effects that smoking can have on one’s physical health. The toxins in cigarettes compromise the health of the lungs and can have a negative impact on a person’s overall health. Unfortunately, the negative effects of cigarettes do not stop there. It is important for our Minneapolis patients to understand how smoking affects appearance. While there are many genetic and environmental factors that can age and weather the face, smoking can accelerate this process. Dr. Mesna offers a range of facial plastic surgery procedures to revitalize and smooth facial features, as well as other cosmetic procedures that can combat the negative effects that smoking can have on our patients’ physical features.
Aesthetic Effects of Smoking
By now, most people realize that cigarettes allow harmful toxins to enter the body, wreaking havoc on the heart, lungs, and brain, but how does smoking affect the appearance? Smoking can interfere with blood circulation, narrow the blood vessels, damage the fibers and connective tissues of the skin, displace oxygen in the skin, and deplete nutrients, all of which can have dramatic effects on a variety of physical features. Because of the harmful effects of smoking, those who smoke often age prematurely and suffer from a number of aesthetic imperfections that are either more exaggerated or show up much sooner in those who smoke compared to non-smokers. Below are some of the aesthetic conditions that are likely to be experienced by smokers:
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Lackluster skin that has a greyish tint
- Lines, creases, and wrinkles
- Loose, sagging skin
- Scars or stretch marks
- Yellow nails and teeth
- Thinning hair
Combatting the Effects of Smoking
Clearly, the best way to avoid or combat both the physical and aesthetic effects of smoking is to quit this habit all together. However, even those patients who do quit may still be left with skin and facial features that are damaged, worn, or aged by the effects of smoking. Dr. Mesna can address many of these imperfections through his cosmetic services.
Dr. Mesna offers a wide range of surgical and non-surgical procedures that can revitalize the skin, lift facial features, and smooth lines, giving patients a much healthier and more youthful appearance. Some of the cosmetic treatments that may be beneficial to patients who have a history of smoking include the following:
- Microdermabrasion
- Laser skin resurfacing
- Injectable and dermal fillers
- Brow lift
- Blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery)
- Face lift
It is important to note that another negative effect of smoking is that it interferes with healing. For this reason, Dr. Mesna may not offer plastic surgery procedures to patients who smoke unless they are willing to refrain from tobacco use at least for the duration of surgery and healing.
Schedule an Appointment
Smoking can prematurely age the body and have a negative effect on one’s appearance and vitality. If you feel that your appearance has been affected by smoking, it is time to discuss your treatment options with Dr. Gregory T. Mesna. Schedule an appointment at your earliest convenience to learn how we can help you reverse some of the aesthetic effects of tobacco use. We look forward to hearing from you!
