Did you know that smoking dramatically hastens the onset wrinkles. Most people know that smoking leads to premature signs of aging, but do you know why? First, smoking robs the blood of oxygen, which is essential for healthy skin. Second, it constricts the blood vessels, making it difficult for them to carry what little oxygen is in the blood stream to cells, including skin cells. Third, smoking introduces destructive chemicals into the blood stream, which attack collagen and elastin, two proteins that are vital for elastic skin. Without these proteins, the skin starts to sag. All these side effects lead to dull, dry, saggy skin. In addition, the repeated motion of pursing the lips around the end of a cigarette causes dynamic wrinkles to form around the mouth.
