Smoking ages skin and not just on your face

Even hardened smokers must by now be aware of the damage smoking will do to their skin Most of us though worry about the damage smoking does to our faces. Smokers face is a well known phenomenon nowadays.

But how many smokers realize that smoking also contributes to sagging skin where they may least want it - on breasts and bottoms?

Obvious when you come to think about it. If you lie in the sun - you damage the skin all over your body. Smoking is the second most aging thing you do to your skin after sun bathing.  And like the effects of sun exposure - skin damage from smoking doesn’t stop at your neck.

“One side effect of smoking that isn’t capitalised on as much as it could be and might provide a powerful deterrent is its influence on connective tissue. Few people realise that if they smoke, their faces will wrinkle ten years ahead of time and they are likely in middle age to end up with a face like a wrinkled walnut that would rival that of a bloodhound.

Even fewer women are aware that smoking also weakens the connective tissue in their breasts and bottoms. Breasts are more likely to develop the spaniel ears effect, and after even a few years of smoking, bottoms become soft and saggy, rather than pert and firm.” Dr Stuttaford, Medical editor for The Times, London

Dr Stuttaford - like many doctors - isn’t one to mince his words - especially as far as the effects of smoking are concerned. But does that really matter? The good doctor is only telling it like it is and in a way that should make anyone concerned about their looks - if not their health - wake up and take notice.

The weakening of the connective tissue is caused by the effects of smoking on collagen. Most of us know that collagen supply matters for younger looking skin.  Smoking reduces the supply of collagen to the skin as well as cutting off oxygen which matters for glowing healthy skin.

So if you want to continue to look good on the beach - especially if you love the sun as well - resolve to quit smoking as soon as you can.

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