Taking a puff of a cigarette reduces circulation and decreases the oxygen level in your blood. Whenever oxygen to the blood is compromised it will affect the condition and health of the skin.
Smoking decreases the production of red blood cells. Reduced red blood cells is not dissimilar to a person with anemia. The skin will look dull, drab and sallow. Smoking will change the texture of the skin, making it appear more rough.
A decrease in oxygen and circulation causes premature aging and wrinkles. This is especially noticeable in the wrinkles around the mouth and cheeks. Smoking also causes poor wound healing. If a smoker has any type of collagen building treatments done they will not be as effective for smokers because the controlled wound that is created, in order for the collagen to build, will not heal as well. But it is better than doing nothing.
Can skin bounce back if a person quits smoking? You can definitely slow the rate at which the skin continues to age by quitting. You can treat your skin to skin rejuvenation treatments that will "help" a smokers skin to look better than it would if not treated with rejuvenation treatments, but honestly, it will never look as good as someone who never smoked. Smoking, sun exposure and drinking alcohol are the 3 most damaging things a person can do to the quality of their skin. The longer a person smokes the longer it takes for the skin to recover and the more profound the damage will appear. Once you quit smoking, it takes a few months for the red blood cell count to increase. After that, a difference in the quality and texture of skin will begin to appear. Don’t expect those wrinkles and fine lines to ever go away naturally, you will need rejuvenation treatments and perhaps surgery to fix the damage done by years of smoking.
