How Smoking Damages Your Facial Features
The term “smoker’s face” has been around for decades. Research and studies of twins (when one smokes but the other doesn’t) have shown a clear connection between tobacco use and cosmetic problems. Issues like wrinkles, sagging skin, and other problems can be particularly noticeable on the face and neck.
Dr. William Cohen, a board-certified plastic surgeon, discusses how smoking can affect your facial appearance, and he can address many of these cosmetic problems through surgery, injectable treatments, and other treatments. Dr. Cohen has a reputation for looking at patients holistically. To maintain cosmetic results, patients should be willing to cut back on smoking or quit the habit altogether. Our plastic surgery center serves Orange, CA, and Placentia, CA.
Cosmetic Issues Associated with Tobacco Use
Tobacco products contain thousands of harmful chemicals that have a wide range of effects on the body. Some of these chemicals lead to the destruction of collagen and elastin, which are responsible for maintaining the skin’s strength and elasticity. As these important building blocks break down under the effects of cigarette smoke, the results can be seen on and around the face.
Wrinkles
The most noticeable result of collagen loss is wrinkles. Creases in the skin and fine lines on the face are hallmarks of advanced age. If you wish to prevent premature wrinkles, your best bet is to quit smoking and take other precautionary steps like using sunscreen on a regular basis.
Thinner Hair
Smoking also causes hair to become thinner and more brittle. This can also give the appearance of premature aging in some individuals. While certain hair products can mitigate this effect, the only way to truly restore healthy hair is to quit smoking.
How Else Can Smoking Affect My Appearance?
Other cosmetic issues associated with tobacco use include:
- Bags under the eyes
- Poor wound healing that can lead to scarring
- Stretch marks
- Yellow teeth
- Yellow skin
- Sagging skin
- Lines around the lips
- Age spots (blotchy skin)
- Psoriasis
- Hair loss
Cosmetic Treatment Options
Dr. Cohen can formulate a customized treatment plan at his Orange, CA, cosmetic surgery practice that may include surgery, injectables, or laser treatments to address cosmetic issues related to tobacco use.
Cosmetic Surgery
Cosmetic surgery may include a number of procedures, including facelift, neck lift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, and eyelid surgery. Surgery is typically reserved for cases where injectables and laser treatments would not be sufficient. One benefit of cosmetic surgery is that it delivers drastic and long-lasting results.
Injectable Treatments
Non-surgical injectable treatments can also deliver significant results. To address wrinkles and other cosmetic problems related to smoking, Dr. Cohen can offer BOTOX® Cosmetic, Restylane® injections, and other treatments.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can remove blemishes without the need for surgery. Patients should understand that the best way to maintain their cosmetic results is to cease tobacco use altogether.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Consultation Today
Dr. Cohen is board-certified and recognized as a leading surgeon in his community. He has even been named as one of “America’s Top Physicians” by the Consumers Research Council of America.
Dr. Cohen’s osteopathic training emphasizes a personal "holistic" approach to patient care. To schedule your plastic surgery consultation, please contact our office online or call (714) 203-1320.