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5 Tips to Reverse the Harmful Effects of Nicotine on Your Skin

Smoking's impact on your body and especially skin can be severe and irreversible with time if proper precautions and measures are not taken.
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Nothing good ever comes from excessive consumption of nicotine, be it through smoking or nicotine patches. Its impact on your body and especially skin can be severe and irreversible with time if proper precautions and measures are not taken.

From premature aging, rashes, sagginess, ulcers, to weak follicles, tar stains, and even serious skin conditions such as Squamous Cell Carcinoma or skin cancer, nicotine is incredibly dangerous for your skin's health.

With proper care, balanced nutrition, and cutting nicotine out of your system entirely, you can easily counter these damages to your skin and let it heal back to its original form.

1. Battle Excessive Hair Loss with Better Nutrition

Dry, patchy skin and weakened follicles are common aftereffects of smoking or using patches that inadvertently cause hair loss from nicotine.

A study conducted in 2020 effectively compared traces of early androgenetic alopecia between men aged between 20 to 35 years. It was concluded that men who smoked suffered a greater degree of hair loss than those who did not.

You may also notice thinning hair that falls out easily due to imbalanced pH levels that are caused by tobacco, nicotine patches, cigarettes, etc. It causes 'acidic scalp' which results in hair fall and premature balding.

Using hair and skin products that are high in Vitamin E can stimulate hair growth and better health. You can also use a variety of essential oils that can assist in strengthening your hair. Simply massage it through the scalp as this gentle motion promotes better blood flow in the vessels and creates stronger follicles.

We also recommend introducing iron supplements in your diet as iron is greatly beneficial for hair health. Protein intake can also promote strong and shiny hair and better skin.

2. Eliminate Premature Aging with Better Skincare

Smokers will often squint or crinkle their eyes to keep the burning sensation from the smoke away. This causes crow's feet on the edges of the eyes and while most people experience this eventually, it will appear earlier for smokers.

More noticeably, nicotine can dehydrate the body as it is a diuretic. Your skin is unable to absorb necessary nutrients and vitamins like Vitamin A and C due to nicotine which speeds the aging process.

We recommend introducing products in your daily skincare routine which include glycolic acid, alpha-hydroxy acid, and peptides.

You can also use an additional Vitamin C serum in the morning with your sunscreen, which gives your skin access to those necessary nutrients which it cannot absorb well naturally due to nicotine consumption.

Retinol is also a miracle product recommended by dermatologists as it stimulates the production of new blood vessels in the skin, creating a healthy glow.

3. Eat Better to Help Heal Wounds Properly

Smoking can lead to constricted blood vessels which may result in slower healing of wounds around the body.

When wounds do not properly heal, there is an increased risk of infection, gangrene, slower transfer of keratinocytes, and even the production of new blood vessels. These may cause significant delays in the body's healing process.

In fact, in most cases, doctors will ask smokers to quit the habit after surgery so the proper healing process can take place. The toxins in nicotine may even cause arterial ulcers around the body.

To reverse this, you should eat better foods that help in improved blood circulation and help boost collagen production in the body. Pomegranates are an excellent source of rich nutrients that can help with collagen and elastin production.

Munching on vegetables and fruits such as goji berries, broccoli, spinach, kiwi, etc., are rich sources of Vitamin C that support collagen production. This assists the body in helping it heal whenever there is a wound.

4. Remove Nicotine Stains from Your Fingers with Home Remedies

If you smoke cigarettes often, you may notice blackish, yellowish stains on your fingers. These nicotine stains can make your hands look patchy, dry, and unclean. We recommend a few home remedies you can use to eliminate this discoloration.

A mild bleach and water solution can work wonders if used properly. Simply mix one part bleach with four parts water and dip a nail brush in. Now gently apply the solution on your fingers using the brush.

After a few minutes of application, rinse your hands with water and wash them with soap. You should also apply a generous amount of hand cream or moisturizer to keep your hands from drying out.

Another excellent home remedy is applying toothpaste on the stained areas all around your hands and rub gently. Wash it off with warm water. You can also apply some lemon juice on your hands as lemon is an effective bleaching agent against nicotine stains.

5. Get Rid of Smoker's Lips with Oils

If you have discoloration around the lips from smoking often, you can reverse it using some home ingredients and oils.

Simply mix a pinch of salt or sugar with almond oil and gently rub it around your blackened lips once a day. You can even use a soft toothbrush or a washcloth for this purpose as it may help in gently exfoliating your skin.

Always layer the exfoliated skin with a gentle moisturizer or lip balm to keep them from drying out or tearing.

Bottom Line

The best way to reverse the harmful effects of nicotine on your skin is by eliminating it from your life altogether. However, it is easier said than done. 

You can use a variety of home remedies and over-the-counter solutions to help your skin regain its natural bounce and glow, but you may have to reduce nicotine consumption if not cut it out altogether for these tips to really work.