Avoid Wrinkles, Stop Smoking!

For many years the health implications due to smoking have been well documented: increased risks of developing various cancers including lung, throat, stomach and kidney, breathing problems leading to emphysema and coronary obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease and stroke, all of which can cause premature death but, even with this knowledge many people continue to or take up smoking.

Over the many years I have been involved with exercise referral customers a large percentage of their health problems could have been avoided. One of the main culprits of their medical conditions is smoking. Speaking to a lot of our cardiac, pulmonary and stroke customers they tell me that they wish that they had never started smoking when they were younger but, they were unaware of the health dangers, today however, people know exactly what can happen.

Back in the day, smoking was seen to be good for our health; GP’s actually encouraged patients to smoke as a way to reduce stress! I can remember as a kid going to my doctor and as I walked into his surgery he was fanning away a plumb of smoke out of the window and actually offered my mum a cigarette (she didn’t smoke!)
The problem is, when young people start to smoke all of these medical conditions don’t bother them; they are young and invincible, these diseases only happen when you’re really old. Let’s face it, when you’re a teenager anyone over the age of 30 is a pensioner!!

In this day and age, the most important thing is how you look. Gone are the days of taking a simple photo and sticking it in the photo album no matter what you look like, now the photos’ are filtered and airbrushed until the person is perfected and unrecognisable to their actual human form! This is why I am confused as to why these same self-image conscious people are happy to light up a toxic stick which will age them quicker than a non-smoker and ruin their good looks?
OK, forget the health problems for a couple of minutes; let’s have a look at how smoking affects your beauty.

Skin

we are all going to age and our skin will lose its elasticity and become thinner resulting in wrinkles but, smoking dramatically reduces the amount of oxygen that is circulated by blood vessels to your skin because these vessels become narrower. Your skin will age prematurely by as much as 10-20 years compared to a non-smoker. Your skin tone will look grey and dull and it will take a lot of effort from your photo shop skills to make you look young and vibrant on your Facebook posts! Oh, and Botox and fillers won’t help either.
Bags under the eyes-Smokers are four times as likely to have bags under their eyes. Nicotine slows the circulation of blood throughout the body, which in turn affects the flow of circulation around the delicate eye area.

Hair

The amount of products that are available to give you luscious locks will be a complete waste of your hard earned money, there is nothing out there that can improve the health of your hair follicles which will shrink and wither. Smokers are more likely to have thinning hair, you won’t even be able to use hair extensions as the roots will be too weak, and men; you are more likely to go bald.

Teeth

Millions of pounds are spent on getting the perfect white smile; teeth whitening is now very popular and not just limited to Joey on Friends. However, you may not have any teeth to whiten as smoking causes gum disease. Gums become red and swollen, they will bleed and your teeth will become loose. Not to mention the cost of teeth whitening to try to get rid of the stains, oh and don’t forget the bad breath…

fingernails and toenails

These aren’t immune from the effects of smoking either. Smoking increases the likelihood of fungal nail infections, no nail varnish can cover this up and acrylics are definitely out. Nicotine can stain fingers and nails making them brown or yellow, enough to make you keep your gloves on!

Sagging arms or breast

is often a tell-tale sign of a person who has smoked for an extended period of time. It has been discovered that the chemicals in cigarettes destroy collagen and elastin. With the loss of these fibres, the skin will begin to lose its elasticity and strength and things that were once taut and pert are now heading south. If the medical side of things doesn’t frighten the life out of you perhaps the thought of aging way before your time will encourage you to take the step and quit smoking.

There is plenty of help out there; you are four times more likely to stop with support from professionals than on your own. You will have weekly meetings either face to face or by phone and it is a free service. You can contact your GP surgery who will help refer you or go the NHS Stop Smoking website for your nearest support team. There really are no benefits for your health, your vanity or your bank balance.

National No Smoking Day is 11 March - a great time to try and quit. Have a long hard look in the mirror and do yourself a favour, hold on to those youthful looks as long as possible, believe it or not 30 isn’t that old!

Click here for information www.todayistheday.co.uk

 

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