November 17th is the Great American Smokeout which encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. Smoking is a great risk to our health and it also robs us of our youthful appearance.
Aging reduces the number of healthy cells in our body. In smokers this process is hastened. Have you ever left a half eaten apple to sit out for a while? The brown discoloration and puckering is a result of the oxidation process. The same process occurs when we smoke. Our skin (like the apple) ages and wrinkles rapidly. Antioxidants in healthy foods and skin care products can reduce some of the stress caused by the free radicals attack our cells during the oxidation process. Unfortunately, antioxidants can only do so much if we are smoking.
Smoking is known to decrease circulation to the body and skin and delay healing. In fact, many surgeons refuse to operate on smokers because of the increased risk of complications and healing problems.
For help quitting visit The American Cancer Society website: https://www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GreatAmericanSmokeout/index
To learn more about caring for your skin, call Atagi Plastic Surgery & Atagi Skin Aesthetics at 303. 327.7300, or visit our website Atagi Plastic Surgery & Skin Aesthetics
