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One of the nastiest habits that you can adopt is smoking. It has been associated with illnesses like cancers and emphysema as well as premature aging and wrinkled skin. Through this article, you will give you an overview of the problems that smoking can cause to your body and skin.

We will take a look at the 3 main areas of the body that are attacked by smoking and why: heart, lungs and skin. Keep in mind that non smokers are also at risk due to second hand smoke.

How Smoking affects your Heart

The heart of a smoker is forced to work harder to equal the efficiency of a non smoker's heart. Due to their irritating effects, nicotine and other ingredients found in tobacco smoke can lead to hearta attacks and arrhythmia. Essentially, the harder the heart works the sooner it will give out.

How Smoking affects your Lungs

Chronic smokers are in danger of acquiring problems such as the complete obstruction of their lungs natural cleansing process. Just like your heart, your lungs also have to work harder to fulfill their job. The same irritating ingredients begin to injure your lungs. The harm to your tissues leads to the excessive fabrication of mucus that can serve as a good breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. This can lead to respiratory infections that range from simple colds to bronchitis and pneumonia. The lining of your bronchi also begins to thicken which predisposes you to cancer. Chronic smoking adversely affects the elastin in lung tissue prompting the development of emphysema. Also, smoking leaves a layer of sticky tar throughout your respiratory system. This tar is filled with cancer forming matter.

How Smoking affects your Skin

Not only does smoking damage your internal body, but it also leaves its brand on your skin. Since smoking constricts the blood vessels in your skin, it diminishes the amount of oxygen and essential nutrients that are taken to the skin and damages the collagen and elastin in it. Skin from all over your body can be affected, not only your face making a wrinkle treatment imperative.

Chronic smokers also develop a condition that is known as smoker's face. Because of the incessant pursing of lips and squinting of the eyes to avoid smoke, deep grooves lines begin to appear around the mouth and eyes. The face also takes on a gaunt appearance.