Achieve More Youthful-Looking Skin

Smoking is one of the major causes of skin sagging. In our post ‘Tighten Up!’, we explain that cigarettes cause the loss of elastin and collagen because of the production of free radicals. This in turn leads to damaged skin cells that manifest as premature wrinkles and skin that appears stretched. Moreover, Newsweek reports that the effects cigarettes have on your looks tend to impact your facial attractiveness.

Yet just because you’re already into smoking, this doesn’t mean that it’s too late for you. You can mitigate and reverse some of the ill effects that cigarettes have caused on your skin by quitting smoking. And although that’s easier said than done, here are some ways you can sustain smoking cessation to achieve more youthful-looking skin.

Find newer sources of relaxation

Although the relief brought by cigarettes is immediate, their long-term effects on your health can yield more disadvantages than benefits. So if you’re looking to quit successfully, one of the best measures you can take is to ensure that you find a sustainable substitute for calming down. You can try momentary distractions that keep you fully preoccupied, like cleaning your house or exercising. You can also go for simple activities that feel rewarding, like going for a massage, seeing your loved ones, or consuming your favorite media. These can help you wind down without reaching for a cigarette.

Avoid triggers

Smoking is often something that you do instinctively in response to certain stimuli. For instance, if you smoke while drinking your morning coffee, you might be tempted to continue pairing these two activities even after you’ve started smoking cessation. This is why it’s important to avoid triggers. Try to avoid instances where you know there will be smokers present, like nights out drinking with friends who smoke. You can also try to deviate from routines that usually involve smoking, such as break times at work.

Switch to smokeless alternatives

Going cold turkey has been found largely ineffective as smokers tend to revert to their habits after a period of deprivation. Instead of completely cutting yourself off from nicotine, you should instead ease into smoking cessation by trying smokeless alternatives. One novel invention is the nicotine pouch, which you can tuck under your lip for about 30 minutes to get your nicotine dose. The options sold on Prilla include best-selling brands like On! nicotine pouches that give the user different dosages so they can gradually lower their nicotine intake. You can also try other smoking cessation devices that mimic the hands-to-mouth action cigarettes require. The Voke nicotine inhaler from Kind Consumer offers this to users by delivering a blast of nicotine when used similarly to cigarettes. Alternatives like these can facilitate a gradual and more sustainable transition away from smoking.

Get social support

Lastly, get social support from your loved ones. Open up to your friends and family about your intent to quit smoking and tell them how you intend to go about it. By making your intentions known, you can hold greater accountability for your progress. Moreover, you will have people to lean on and express their support for you on days when you feel a little more vulnerable than usual.

Deciding to quit smoking can be daunting, but the longer it takes for you to start, the more it shows on your skin. By trying out these four smoking cessation tips, you can be on your way to healthier, glowing skin.