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How does using tobacco products affect the skin?

Smoking is a very unhealthy habit to start in your lifetime. Not only can using...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

Smoking is a very unhealthy habit to start in your lifetime. Not only can using tobacco products cause cancer and heart disease, but it can also affect the complexion of your skin and cause you to age prematurely. The byproducts found in tobacco products deprive the skin of oxygen and vital nutrients. This deprivation can lead to a pale and uneven skin tone. If you begin smoking at a young age, changes in your skin can begin to be seen early on.
There are more than 4,000 chemicals found in tobacco smoke; many of these harmful chemicals encourage the destruction collagen and the elasticity of the skin. Even being around second hand smoke can cause deeper wrinkles and sagging of the skin.
Now let's discuss how smoking physically affects the appearance of your face and body. Smoking loosens the skin around the eyes, causing deep wrinkles and crow's feet. Deep lines and wrinkles can also develop around the mouth from dragging on your cigarette; this look is also known as the "smoker's pucker". Your breast can also begin to droop and fall prematurely. The skin on the back of your upper arms can also start to sag. You are also more prone to develop age spots (liver spots) on the face and body. Your fingers and fingernails can begin to turn yellow or brown after years of smoking; however, these stains will begin to fade after you quit smoking. Smoking also increases your chances to develop alopecia (hair loss).
Now that you know how the use of tobacco products affects can your appearance, lets look at some of the benefits of quitting smoking. Once you quit smoking, your circulation improves; this leads to an increased amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the skin. Some of the damage from smoking can be reversed by using retinoids, antioxidants (such as A and C vitamins), and chemical peels. Make an appointment with your dermatologist to see what skincare regimen is best for you.
Here are some overall health benefits that com with the cessation of smoking. After twenty minutes, your blood pressure and heart rate decrease. After twenty-four hours, your risk of a heart attack begins to drop. After a few weeks the cilia will begin to sweep impurities from the lungs again. After a year, you decrease your risk of a heart attack by half. If you want to quit smoking and you are having trouble, consult your physician.View Thread

Posted bySusan Evans, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How does using tobacco products affect the skin? Smoking is a very unhealthy habit to start in your lifetime. Not only can using...

Reply: Growing out my hair

Dear luvinlyyfe, Congratulations on your new hair growth! Your objective at this...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Growing out my hair Dear luvinlyyfe, Congratulations on your new hair growth! Your objective at this...

Reply: hi

Dear truckergranny, Cleansing your face should remain a simple process. The first...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

2 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:hi Dear truckergranny, Cleansing your face should remain a simple process. The first...

Reply: my thinning hair

Dear myo4me, Your first step should be to exclude any underlying medical issues...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

7 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:my thinning hair Dear myo4me, Your first step should be to exclude any underlying medical issues...

Do you have dry cracked heels?

No one likes to have dry cracked skin on their heels. This unsightly dry skin can...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

No one likes to have dry cracked skin on their heels. This unsightly dry skin can also be painful if not properly cared for. The dry skin on your feet can develop into calluses, which protect our feet from the pressure of standing for long periods of time and walking. The good thing is that there are simple steps you can take to make to improve skin on your heels and make them softer.
The first step you can take toward softer soles is making a warm foot bath. Add about half a cup of Epsom salt to the water. Epsom salt contains the mineral magnesium sulfate; which helps to soften rough dry skin. Simply soak your feet and relax for as long as you like; if the water becomes too cool, you can add more warm water for your comfort. You may also opt to invest in a foot spa to soak your feet. A foot spa's whirlpool action can be even more soothing for your feet, especially if you have been on your feet all day. Most foot spas also feature temperature controls to keep the water warm for prolonged soaking enjoyment.
After you soak your feet, use a pumice stone to exfoliate the dry skin from your heels. Wet your pumice stone with warm water first. Next, rub the pumice stone in a back and forth or side to side motion on the calloused areas of your soles. Do not rub the skin too hard because it can be too abrasive for the skin on your feet. Be patient if you do not receive the results you were looking for the very first time, it may take more than one treatment. You can pumice your feet two to three times a week to gain and maintain softness for the soles of your feet.
After you exfoliate the skin on your feet, you can apply a foot cream to your feet. You can find foot creams in the foot care aisle of your local drug store. Gold Bond Foot Cream is great to apply to your feet to keep them soft. Applying foot cream and putting on socks before going to bed will allow you to awaken with soft, beautiful feet.
One more word of advice, try not to walk around bare foot. Instead, you should wear slippers or socks to protect your feet when you are indoors. If the condition of your feet does not improve, make an appointment to see your dermatologist.
View Thread

Posted bySusan Evans, MD

1 Reply | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Do you have dry cracked heels? No one likes to have dry cracked skin on their heels. This unsightly dry skin can...

Reply: How long do you keep your beauty and makeup produc...

Dear IRIN2010, Many manufactures will place an expiration date on their products....

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How long do you keep your beauty and makeup products? Dear IRIN2010, Many manufactures will place an expiration date on their products....

Would you like softer and younger looking hands.

Many of us love to take the time to pamper the skin on our face, but how many of us...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

Many of us love to take the time to pamper the skin on our face, but how many of us take the time to give extra care to our hands. Our hands are exposed to so much more than our faces on a daily basis. Our hands can also be one of the first places on our bodies that begin to reveal signs of aging. There are a few simple steps you can take to slow down the signs of aging. There are even treatments available that can help turn back the "hands" of time.
The daily application of a moisturizing sunscreen can help protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Wearing sunscreen can help prevent age spots (liver spots) from forming on your hands. If you already have age spots, your dermatologist can prescribe a hydroquinone cream to help lighten up the spots and even out the pigment on your hands.
When you perform chores around your home, you should wear gloves to protect your hands from the harsh chemicals found in house many hold cleaners; washing dishes can be especially drying to the hands. Gloves should also be worn to protect your hands and keep your nails clean while gardening.
During the winter months the cold air can be particularly drying to your hands, so your hands need a little extra care. About two to three times per week you should apply a scrub treatment to your hands before bedtime, this will exfoliate the dry skin from your hands. Next, apply an emollient to your hands for a deep moisturizing treatment that helps keep them soft and younger looking. Wearing gloves when going outdoors will protect your hands from the cold winter elements.
Aesthetic dermal fillers, such as Restylane, can help to restore and smooth out your hands. As we age we lose some of the subcutaneous fat in our hands, revealing the veins and tendons on top of the hands. A filler can help to rebuild and fill out the decreased volume to the dorsal aspect of your hands. Fillers can last from about six months to a year. Before making an appointment, be sure to choose a dermatologist that is familiar with performing this procedure for the best possible results.
Best,
Susan Evans, MD

View Thread

Posted bySusan Evans, MD

0 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Would you like softer and younger looking hands. Many of us love to take the time to pamper the skin on our face, but how many of us...

Reply: How to Combat Scars, Stretch Marks and Cellulite

Dear vbsgrandma, Thank you for sharing your story. Your situation appears to be...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

9 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:How to Combat Scars, Stretch Marks and Cellulite Dear vbsgrandma, Thank you for sharing your story. Your situation appears to be...

Reply: Skin discolor in the throat area - Attn: Dr Susan ...

Dear Blancad47, Your description can be a number of things. Unfortunately...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

3 Replies | Reply | Watch This DiscussionReport This| Share this:Skin discolor in the throat area - Attn: Dr Susan Evans Dear Blancad47, Your description can be a number of things. Unfortunately...

Did you know that your hairstyle may be causing yo...

Do you wear hairstyles such as tight pony tails or corn rows on a daily basis? Have...

Posted by Susan Evans, MD

Do you wear hairstyles such as tight pony tails or corn rows on a daily basis? Have you noticed your hairline receding around the temples? Then you may be suffering from a condition known as traction alopecia; in which excess tension and pulling around the hairline promotes hair loss. The excess pulling and strain on the hair follicles can cause hair loss that is reversible if detected and treated early enough. However, if the alopecia is not treated in time, the hair loss can become permanent. Traction alopecia can be caused from tight hairstyles such as cornrows, ponytails, glued or sewn in hair weaves, and braided extensions. This form of hair loss can also be caused by chemically treating your hair with relaxers (chemical straightener), perms, or by bleaching your hair. Even wearing your rollers too tight can cause traction alopecia. These tight hairstyles are fine to be worn for short periods of time, but they can cause hair loss if they are worn on a regular basis.
There are several symptoms to look for when dealing with traction alopecia. If your hair is corn rowed or braided and you need to take aspirin afterward for the pain, your braids are definitely too tight. Another red flag to look for is if you have small bumps and redness around the hairline after styling your hair. You may also notice that your hairline has been gradually receding or thinning overtime after wearing tight hairstyles on a regular basis.
There are a few treatment options available for temporary and permanent hair loss. First, it is very important to change your hairstyle to a looser hair style to keep the strain off your hair follicles. This will help to prevent any future hair loss. The next step is to make an appointment with your dermatologist. Your physician can evaluate your hair line and offer treatment options such as cortisone injections. Cortisone can be administered monthly to the affected area by your physician. One should begin to see results about four weeks after beginning treatment.
Rogaine is another treatment option that is now available without a prescription; this product can be purchased from your local drugstore. Rogaine is applied to the scalp on a daily basis and regrowth of hair can be seen in about twelve weeks. However, Rogaine does not work for everyone. Be sure to consult with your physician before trying this product.
For permanent hair loss, you can opt for a hair transplant. This procedure can be expensive and is not usually covered by insurance. This is an out patient procedure in which a small section of the scalp is shaved and removed; the scalp is then sutured back together. The donor portion of the scalp is harvested to replace the section where you experienced the traction alopecia. You should expect to see full results up to twelve months after your procedure.View Thread

Posted bySusan Evans, MD

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