Which Twin Is the Smoker?
Maybe there is no fountain of youth, but there is a surefire way to make yourself look
older.
Smoking changes the skin, teeth, and hair in ways that can add years to
your looks. It also affects everything from your fertility to the
strength of your heart, lungs, and bones. Take a look at these
side-by-side photos. Can you pick out the smoker? Check your pick and
get a closer look on the next slide.
Tobacco's Tell-Tale Signs
Twin
B smoked half a pack a day for 14 years, while her sister never smoked.
The loose skin under her eyes is typical for smokers, according to
Bahman Guyuron, MD, of Case Western Reserve University. It's one of
several visible signs -- shown on the following slides -- that tobacco
byproducts inside your body are harming your appearance. Twin B also got
more sun, damaging her skin from the outside, too.
Damaged Teeth and Gums
Yellow
teeth are one of the most notorious effects of long-term smoking, but
the dental damage doesn't stop there. People who smoke tend to develop
gum disease, persistent bad breath, and other oral hygiene problems.
Smokers are twice as likely to lose teeth as nonsmokers.
How Quitting Improves Your Looks
Quitting
smoking can improve your appearance. As blood flow gets better, your
skin receives more oxygen and nutrients. This can help you develop a
healthier complexion. If you stay tobacco-free, the stains on your
fingers and nails will disappear. You may even notice your teeth getting
whiter.
How Quitting Improves Your Health
In just 20 minutes, blood pressure and heart rate return to normal.
Within 24 hours, your heart attack risk begins falling. In
the first weeks after quitting, tiny cilia (seen here) start back to work sweeping irritants out of the lungs.
Within a year, your risk of developing heart disease drops to half that of people who still smoke. And
after 10 smoke-free years, you're no more likely to die of lung cancer than someone who never smoked.
Cigarette Stench
Quitting
eliminates the pervasive smell of cigarettes on your breath and in your
hair and clothes. This is unattractive to nonsmokers and carries health
hazards, too. The odor means that the people around you are exposed to
tobacco toxins, sometimes called "third-hand smoke." These toxins can
be especially harmful to small children.
Can You Quit?
Experts
agree that giving up cigarettes is very difficult. But if you're
telling yourself it's impossible, think again. While there are 45
million smokers in the U.S., there are at least 48 million
former
smokers. If 48 million people could quit, it is doable. Just keep in
mind that most people have to try more than once, and only 4%-7% succeed
without help. Ask your doctor which smoking-cessation strategies might
be right for you.
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