Non-smokers who are health conscious – not all of them are, some people don’t smoke but wouldn’t think twice about eating a Twinkie – associate dry skin and fine lines or wrinkles with smoking. Some say this is a myth but, in fact, it’s true: even second-hand smoke damages the skin. However, there are precautions you can take – vitamins, minerals and an otherwise healthy lifestyle will help, as will using a dry skin treatment that blocks the absorption of chemicals. Here are some things you can do to minimize the damage.
How does smoke affect the skin? Smoke from tobacco contains roughly 4,000 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. In addition to damaging the body internally – the tar irritates and inflames the lungs, the carbon monoxide bonds to red blood cells making them less able to transport oxygen through the body, and the wide variety of carcinogens affects the lungs and, eventually, other organs – you are also exposing your skin to all these toxic chemicals.
When these chemicals come into contact with the skin it triggers oxidation, and the free radicals generated literally attack the skin cells, resulting in the yellowed, craggy dry skin associated with smokers. Tiny cracks in the damaged skin then cause excessive water loss and increased absorption of chemicals, and the dry skin condition accelerates.
What can you do to offset the damage if you are a smoker or in an environment with second-hand smoke?
Exercise to improve circulation and the distribution of oxygen and nutrient.
Load up on Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants.
Eat fresh, organic foods so you aren’t adding to the chemical build-up.
Replace your chemical-laden skin care products with natural products.
Reduce your exposure to the chemicals in household cleaning products as much …
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