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The most talked about consequences of smoking are the different types of cancers that a smoker can develop. However, there are other physical complications that are not so readily talked about.

There are several lesser known topics related with the effects of smoking that will be addressed in this article. The main points we will discuss are the importance of skin color in the aging process, the disparity of aging between both genders and how smoking can decrease the healing process.

Skin Color Effects Skin Damage

It may not seem too important, but skin color is an essential factor when it comes to the damage your skin will suffer. It has been confirmed that darker skin is much more resistant to aging because its dermal constitution is much thicker that fairer skin. Lighter skin, on the other hand, has a thinner dermal structure making it more frail and prone to skin damage such as wrinkling, blotches and irritation.

Skin Damage is Affected by Gender

Unfortunately, women smokers are also more prone to skin damage, including wrinkling, than male smokers. The male hormone androgen produces a thicker dermis making it more resistant to damage. Meanwhile, a decline in estrogen leads to dry and cracked skin.

The constant puffing and squinting that accompanies smoking leads to wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. The term "smoker's face" is used to describe the wrinkled, gaunt aspect of a chronic smoker. Nevertheless, there are certain wrinkle treatments that you can use to help promote facial rejuvenation.

Smoking affects the Healing Process

Another problem for smokers is the rate at which their bodies heal, especially after surgery. Due to the decreased blood flow, the amount of nutrients that the damaged area receives is also compromised. For this reason, doctors recommend that their patients to quit smoking so that their post op healing process improves.

Dealing with the Consequences of Chronic Smoking

The ideal choice for your skin is to quit smoking or never to start. However, you may be one of the people who have found it impossible to give up this habit. If this is so, there are other options that you can try to control the problems derived from chronic smoking.

Products containing alfa hydroxy acids and retinoids have been successful in dealing with the consequences produced by chronic smoking. Skin peels and dermabrasion can help aid skin rejuvenation by prompting the renovation of skin.