Smoking is injurious to your health, we all know that! It is one of the leading causes of lung diseases, heart problems and many type of cancer. This is because of the presence of more than 7000 toxin chemicals that are present in cigarette smoke. But did you know that smoking also takes a load on your physical appearance.
But unfortunately, the impact of smoking on physical appearance is often less-discussed. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the impact of smoking on areas which are often not discussed or are under discussion. These insights will help you better understand the extent of damage that is possible due to continuous smoking. In the end, we will also introduce you to a wonderful and medically approved product – nicotine gums that can help in quitting smoking.
But first, let’s explore the surprising connection between smoking and its diverse effects on skin, hair, nails and more:
Hair damage and loss
Let’s start with your crown glory! Hair are a defining aspect of appearance. They contribute to your overall appearance and we love them.
When it comes to smoking, it does not spare them from its harmful effects. Regular smoking reduces blood circulation in the scalp that damages the hair follicles. This leads to brittle and dry hair. Your hair does not get enough nutrition and hence becomes prone to damage. There are high chances of smokers experiencing premature graying and hair loss due to lack of nutrients.
Skin and smoking
Skin is the biggest organ of the body. It is an indicator of our internal health and plays a vital role in protecting the body from external elements. It serves as a barrier against infections, harmful substances, and environmental factors. There are various ways in which smoking impacts your overall health:
Premature aging
Smoking accelerates the aging process, leading to premature fine lines and wrinkles. The chemicals in tobacco smoke break down collagen and elastin, proteins crucial for maintaining skin’s elasticity and youthful appearance. However, the skin damage done by smoking might not be immediate or visible to the naked eye, it starts showing rapidly in one’s 30s.
– Lack of luster
Smoking also reduces the amount of blood flowing to the skin by constricting blood vessels near the skin’s surface, depriving the skin of oxygen and essential nutrients transported in blood. Together, these changes add up to what some doctors describe clinically as a “smoker’s face.
– Skin diseases
Smoking increases the chances of getting skin diseases like psoriasis, skin cancer and Palmoplantar Pustulosis.
Nail Discoloration and Fragility
Believe it or not but smoking also impacts your nails. The toxins present in cigarettes lead to discoloration of nails and even hampers their growth. Nicotine and toxic substances reduce the blood circulation the the nail beds and make them turn yellow or brown. You might have even noticed this with people who have been smoking for many years now. The brittleness and the discoloration can even persist for long after quitting smoking. This is because the compromised blood flow impacts the nail’s strength significantly.
Teeth and gums
Smoking and chewing tobacco products have several well-documented detrimental effects on the oral cavity. These include aesthetic changes such as stained teeth and the need for dentures. As well as much more serious complications, including an increased risk of periodontitis (inflammation of the gums) leading to tooth loss, bone loss and impaired wound healing, reduced taste sensation and halitosis (“bad breath”).
Understanding the connection – why does smoking impact your skin, hair, nails and teeth?
The main reason behind smoking impacting these aspects lie in the deprivation of essential nutrients, oxygen and blood flow to these areas. This reduction disrupts health, leading to visible changes that mirror the body’s response to smoking.
Acknowledging these transformations serves as a poignant reminder of the toll that smoking exacts on our external presentation. Hence, you must reconsider this habit for the sake of both your internal and external well-being.
Now that you fully understand the extent of damage smoking is capable of, it is now time to talk about nicotine gums.
Nicotine gums are a type of Nicotine Replacement Therapy product. They are specially designed to help with smoking cessation. As nicotine addiction is one of the most common reasons that make quitting really difficult, consuming nicotine gums helps in managing nicotine cravings.
They come loaded with a certain amount of nicotine that you can put in your body in a controlled manner. They are available in two doses – 2mg gums and 4mg gums. The idea is to start with a gum dose variant that matches your needs and requirements and eventually reduce the dose. This step-down approach helps you stay in charge of the amount of nicotine you put in your body. And also train your body to function properly without craving for nicotine. This helps in managing nicotine withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, moodiness, insomnia, difficulty in concentration and so on.
However, nicotine gums are absolutely safe to use and are medically approved, it is recommended to always consult your healthcare provider before getting started on them. The experienced professional will help you by analyzing your smoking pattern and recommend the correct dose. Additionally, there are certain specific instructions that you need to follow while using Nicotine Gum which your healthcare professional can explain in detail.
In the end, it can be concluded that smoking is extremely injurious to your overall wellbeing. And it is never late to quit. There are many tools and aids available these days that can help you in your quitting journey. This way you can lead a healthy and happy life!