Mind Body & Soul

Everything that you consume divided into either a waste or a nutrient. The waste is removed from your body while the nutrients are absorbed into the blood stream. They travel through the blood to your various organs including your skin. The air you breathe is transported the same way. When you inhale smoke, that smoke is carried through your bloodstream and absorbs into your cells. The carbon monoxide in the smoke will push out the oxygen and then suffocate the cells. This will cause your skin to lose its fresh young look, and you will begin to age rapidly.

Your skin will get very dry, It will start to appear yellow or gray in tone. You will also start to wrinkle. The wrinkles will start around your eyes and mouth, but slowly take over your entire face. You will appear much older than your actual age. This is in part due to the loss of collagen in your skin. Collagen is produced and maintained mostly by Vitamin C. The body does not naturally produce Vitamin C, so you rely on what Vitamin C you consume.

Each cigarette you smoke can strip your body of 35 mg of Vitamin C. It is unlikely a smoking adult could consume enough Vitamin C to compensate for the loss. Once the damage is done to your skin it can not be reversed, and the damage won’t stop at your skin. It will effect the texture of your hair and nails. It will also make your nails and teeth turn yellow. The best thing you can do for your skin is to stop smoking immediately, and limit your exposure to people who do smoke. As a reward for quitting you should take yourself out to get a facial. You should also take a strong daily vitamin and extra Vitamin C to help refuel what your body had lost.