Premature Wrinkles and Smoking

Dermatologists have found premature wrinkles on the faces of smokers as young as 20. What's more, they are twice as pronounced and twice as rough as lines on the faces of non-smokers the same age.

Smoking enhances an enzyme in the skin, matrix metalloproteinase-1, resulting in increased collagen (responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradation leads to wrinkles that accompany aging.) breakdown and diminished collagen production. The overall effect causes wrinkling and inelasticity

Here are the Facts:

• Every cigarette starves the skin of oxygen and reduces its ability to generate collagen.
• Skin absorbs smoke even from passive smoking.
• Everyone is susceptible to nicotine damage, even non-smokers, albeit to a lesser extent.
• Smoking and nicotine asphyxiates the skin, depriving the complexion of vital life enhancing oxygen and essential nutrients, leaving a sallow looking skin tinged with yellow nicotine.
• Smoking is a potent source of free radicals, which dramatically speed up the ageing process.
• Smoking saps Vitamin C from the body and attacks the Vitamin A, both being essential to healthy collagen production, reducing skin tone and leaving a limp lined complexion.