What happens to your skin when you quit smoking?

Learn about the effects of quitting smoking on your skin and face. Discover the positive changes and benefits of kicking this unhealthy habit today. Quitting smoking brings significant benefits for your skin, including improved appearance and a reduction in the visible signs of damage caused by smoking.

We’re often asked the question, “Does smoking affect your skin?”. The harm that smoking causes to our skin seems the least of the evils when compared to some of the other health implications, but it is often one of the first tangible signs that smoking is causing you harm. 

Smokers often notice changes in their skin earlier than non-smokers, such as dullness, wrinkles, and sagging. One of the most visible effects smokers tend to experience is premature ageing, with skin showing signs of damage and ageing much sooner than expected.

The great news is that when you stop smoking you can expect an almost immediate improvement in the way your skin looks and feels – in other words there is a significant and noticeable skin improvement after quitting smoking.

What does smoking do to your skin?

The skin is often one of the first tangible signs that smoking is causing you harm.

The signs often show as early as the smoker’s mid-20s but the great news is that if you quit smoking your skin begins to repair itself almost immediately. The later you leave it to quit, the more irreversible the effects might be.

Smoking bombards your entire body with a long list of harmful chemicals including carbon monoxide, cyanide, tar, and formaldehyde – the impact of which starves your body of oxygen, vitamins and nutrients. 

This affects every organ of the body as well as the skin. Smoking increases the risk of bone fractures by weakening bone density and strength, making bones more susceptible to breaks.

Nicotine also reduces circulation to the lower living layer of skin, or dermis, which results in less oxygen being delivered. This results in skin becomes grey and sallow with the cell production deteriorating, leading to dry, flaky skin that is less resistant to external conditions. 

Not only that, but it also impairs the skin’s ability to repair itself and regenerate; making it harder for your skin to recover from damage.

Our skin begins to sag and wrinkle, resulting in noticeable sagging skin, because the body cannot produce collagen effectively. 

Smoking starves the body of Vitamin C – a key component in the manufacturing of collagen and interferes with the production of an enzyme called matrix metalloproteinase that regulates collagen production, which leads to skin that is lined and gaunt.

Thinking about how much you distort your face, your lips, cheeks, and eyes as you suck on every mouthful of smoke that you inhale. 

The sucking on the lips, the wincing of the eyes – no wonder we end up with the tell-tale signs of a smoker; hollow cheeks, crow’s feet and a tired upper lip. 

Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease due to the damaging effects of smoking on oral tissues. 

Exposure to secondhand smoke can also accelerate skin ageing and damage, causing similar visible signs even in non-smokers.

Skin before and after quitting smoking

Image from Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons

As already discussed, smoking bombards your entire body with a long list of harmful, toxic chemicals which affect the skin. Skin becomes grey, saggy, dry and flaky.

However, within hours, the skin benefits after quitting smoking begin to occur. 

These smoking benefits refer to the improvements seen after quitting, not from smoking itself. 

Short-term quit smoking skin improvement can be seen as your skin colour and tone pick up a little as your circulation improves. 

Quitting smoking leads to a healthier complexion as improved blood flow delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the skin.

Carbon monoxide levels in your blood drop to normal and within weeks, your skin will be visibly benefiting from increased oxygen and antioxidant levels.

Smoking causes smaller blood vessels to shut down (which is why smokers’ skin has a grey complexion).

As your circulation recovers and the level of nutrients and oxygen being delivered to your skin returns to normal, you soon recover that healthy glow that you’ve been missing. 

The body’s ability to repair and recover from the skin damage caused by smoking is remarkable. 

Over time, the skin recovers in colour, tone, and texture, reducing signs of ageing and dullness. The process of skin recovery can take several weeks to months, with gradual improvements in appearance as the skin heals from the effects of smoking. 

Eventually, you can end up looking ten years younger than you would as a smoker.

Scientific studies have shown that after quitting, skin redness and tobacco staining are significantly decreased, further improving overall skin appearance.

The picture above is one of a series from a study on facial changes caused by smoking – a comparison between smoking and non-smoking identical twins.

Quit smoking skin improvement timeline

So how long after quitting smoking does skin improve and how long will it take for you to recover your glow, reduce the lines on your face, and get rid of that saggy look below your eyes?

Prevention of further skin damage

One of the most important benefits of quitting smoking is the prevention of further skin damage.

When you stop smoking, you immediately halt the constant exposure to toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke that accelerate skin ageing early, cause wrinkles, and contribute to age spots.

Quitting smoking allows your blood vessels to recover from the narrowing effects of smoking, restoring healthy blood flow to your skin.

This improved circulation means your skin receives more oxygen and essential nutrients, which are vital for healthy skin cell turnover and repair.

As a result, your complexion can become brighter and more even, and your risk of developing skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema is significantly reduced.

By quitting smoking, you’re not just stopping further harm; you’re giving your skin the chance to maintain a youthful, healthy glow for years to come.

Quitting smoking and collagen production

Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin firm, elastic, and youthful.

Smoking starves your body of vitamin C, a nutrient essential for collagen production, which leads to reduced collagen levels and accelerates premature skin ageing.

When you quit smoking, your body’s vitamin C stores can recover, and collagen production begins to increase again.

This means your skin can regain its natural elasticity, helping to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and restore a more radiant complexion.

In addition to these visible improvements, quitting smoking also lowers your likelihood of developing serious skin problems, including skin cancer, which is often linked to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke.

By choosing to quit smoking, you’re supporting your skin’s ability to repair and renew itself, resulting in a healthier, more youthful appearance.

Reducing premature ageing

Premature ageing is a common concern for smokers, as the toxic chemicals in cigarette smoke accelerate the ageing process and rob the skin of its youthful appearance.

Quitting smoking can dramatically slow down this ageing process by restoring healthy blood flow and allowing your skin to receive the oxygen and essential nutrients it needs.

As you stop smoking, your body’s collagen production increases, helping to smooth out fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin elasticity.

Incorporating a skin care routine rich in vitamin C and other essential nutrients can further support your skin’s recovery and reduce the risk of developing premature ageing.

By quitting smoking and adopting healthy practices, you give your skin the chance to heal and rejuvenate and you can significantly decrease your risk of premature ageing and enjoy a more radiant, youthful complexion.

Decreased risk of skin conditions

Quitting smoking does more than just improve your skin’s appearance. It also significantly decreases your risk of getting a range of skin conditions.

Smoking affects your skin’s ability to repair itself, making it more vulnerable to problems like psoriasis, eczema, and even skin cancer.

When you quit smoking, your blood circulation improves, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your skin and supporting its natural healing processes.

This not only helps prevent new skin issues from developing but also reduces your risk of gum disease, which is closely linked to smoking and can lead to further health problems.

By quitting smoking, you’re taking a major step toward better skin health and reducing your risk of serious conditions that can impact your overall well-being.

Better wound healing after quitting

If you’ve ever noticed that cuts or scrapes take longer to heal when you smoke, you’re not imagining it.

Smoking impairs your body’s ability to heal wounds by reducing blood flow and flooding your system with toxic chemicals that slow down recovery.

When you quit smoking, your blood flow improves, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach your skin and support the healing process.

This means wounds can heal faster and with fewer complications, which is especially important if you’re at risk for skin conditions or considering reconstructive surgery.

Improved wound healing also reduces your risk of developing infections and other health issues, such as heart disease, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

By quitting smoking, you’re giving your body and your skin the best chance to recover, repair, and stay healthy.

Long-term skin health

The long-term benefits of quitting smoking for your skin are genuinely remarkable.

When you quit smoking, your blood circulation improves, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your skin and supporting its natural repair processes.

This leads to a reduction in sagging skin, fewer fine lines, and a healthier, more even skin tone.

Stopping smoking also lowers your risk of developing skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and even skin cancer, helping you maintain healthy skin for years to come.

For those looking to enhance further their skin’s appearance, treatments like laser skin resurfacing and other in-office procedures can be even more effective after quitting, as your skin’s ability to heal and regenerate is significantly improved.

By committing to quitting smoking and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can enjoy lasting skin health benefits and a more youthful, vibrant complexion well into the future.

What are the benefits of quitting weed on skin?

Quitting weed can have several positive effects on your skin health. 

Smoking weed, much like tobacco, introduces various harmful substances into your body that can damage skin cells and contribute to premature ageing. 

This is due to oxidative stress, where free radicals produced by smoking can harm skin cells, leading to wrinkles and a lacklustre complexion.

Additionally, stopping weed can help reduce skin issues indirectly by eliminating substances that cause inflammation and irritation, which could otherwise exacerbate skin problems.

Moreover, quitting weed supports overall health improvements that can positively affect your skin. For example, improved blood circulation and increased oxygen levels in your blood from quitting smoking can lead to healthier, more vibrant skin.

Benefits of quitting vaping on skin

Quitting vaping can lead to numerous health benefits, including improvements to your skin. Here are some key benefits for the skin when you stop vaping:

1. Improved skin hydration

Vaping can dehydrate your skin because the chemicals in e-cigarettes can disrupt the skin’s barrier function. When you quit vaping, your skin can retain more moisture, leading to improved hydration and less dryness.

2. Reduction in premature aging

Nicotine, which is commonly found in e-cigarettes, can accelerate the ageing process by impairing blood flow to the skin. 

This reduction in blood flow can decrease the amount of oxygen and nutrients that your skin receives. 

Quitting can slow down the ageing process, reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.

3. Better wound healing

Nicotine also affects the body’s ability to heal wounds and restore skin health. 

Stopping vaping can improve your body’s healing capabilities, reducing the time it takes for wounds to heal and potentially, improving the appearance of scars.

4. Decreased risk of skin conditions

Vaping has been associated with exacerbating skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema due to its effects on the immune system and inflammation levels in the body.

Quitting can lead to a decrease in flare-ups and symptoms.

5. Brighter skin tone

The toxins in vape aerosols can dull your skin tone. 

Once you quit vaping, you might notice a brighter and more even skin tone as your body’s natural detox processes are no longer hindered.

Quitting vaping not only helps your skin look better but also contributes to your overall health, improving lung function, cardiovascular health, and reducing your risk of developing other serious health issues.

Final thoughts

Your expectations regarding the level of quit smoking skin improvement you can aspire to should be set high.

People will want to know what your skin secret is and how come you look so much younger.

It’s one of the many benefits of stopping smoking – especially as many people spend hundreds of pounds a year on skincare products to achieve the effect you’ll achieve simply by stopping smoking.

Smoking cessation leads to long-term improvements in skin health and appearance.

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